And then there were 2: 'Beach Madness' bracket's final round ends

The title of “best beach” in Palm Beach County has come down to two popular spots that are separated by less than five miles along the county’s northern shoreline. Voting closed at 2 p.m. Thursday. Results will be announced Monday, April 3.

But if you're looking for a recap, look no further:

Juno Beach Park and John D. MacArthur State Park got to this point by winning three early rounds in the 16-beach “Beach Madness” brackets, which started recording votes earlier this month.

To get there, Juno Beach Park beat out the formidable competition of Spanish River Park in Boca Raton, Carlin Park in Jupiter, and then finally besting Jupiter Beach Park last round in the closest contest in the tournament — winning by a fraction of a percent of the votes.

Meanwhile, John D. MacArthur State Park, which started out as clearly one of the favorites, cruised to easy victories in the preliminary rounds against Red Reef Park in Boca Raton, Peanut Island, and Dubois Park in Jupiter.

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Juno Beach Park vs. John D. MacArthur State Park

Juno Beach Park is well-known to both locals and tourists because of its 990-foot pier that serves as a magnet for anglers, sightseers, and sunrise fanatics.

The wide, spacious beach is also a hot spot for local surfers, as well as families, who will find lots of parking and picnic areas. It’s also near the Loggerhead Marinelife Center, which is dedicated to educating people about the rehabilitation and conservation of sea turtles.

There’s a lot to like about Juno Beach Park, but in terms of varied offerings, it’s hard for any beach to stack up against John D. MacArthur State Park, the only state park in Palm Beach County.

John D. MacArthur Park is so much more than an ocean beach. It’s a two-sided park that features trails that link its ocean and Intracoastal sides. Visitors can stroll on nature trails or a 1,600-foot boardwalk and choose between swimming in the ocean from its 2-mile-long beachfront or paddleboarding to unspoiled islands from its access to the Intracoastal.

Reef and rock outcroppings near the park are a draw to snorkelers and scuba divers looking for colorful tropical fish. It used to also be a draw to area nudists, who used to have a secluded spot of beachfront to themselves, a practice that ended with arrests during the 1980s.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: From 16 to 2: Which beach will reign as Palm Beach County's best?