Other then the parking this place was really nice. It had a nice place to swim with great views…read morefrom the jumping bridge. A great place to take bikes to ride around the loop trail and down the burn out bridge trail. Great place to take in views of the old highway that used to be connected to the Burn out bridge. It kinda takes a while to get to one end of the trail. But it's totally worth it when you get to the end because you can swim, though there's a current, and take in the views of the national refuge there in the lower keys.

From the uniqueness and bar scene in Key West, to the restaurants throughout the keys, to the State…read moreParks like John Pennekamp and Bahia Honda, to the unmatched diving/snorkeling and laid-back style of the keys lifestyle... But at the end of the day, this is one of my favorite places to spend time. Some people just don't get how special these protected areas are... or just how vast it is. The area is encompasses an area that is over 8 miles long on Sugarloaf Key (accessed from mile marker 17 and partially from mile marker 20) and includes a lot of spots that locals visit often including Burn Out Bridge (aka End Of The Road), Loop Road Trail, Sammy Creek Landing, Old Overseas Nature Trail (west end of Old State Road 4A), Jumping Bridge, and the Secret Beach Old State Road 4A passes through most of it and there are a few residences as well but majority of the area is mangroves and open water. There is plenty of area to support incredible wildlife; you may not see much of it visiting but after years of bicycling and walking all the trails and focal points I've been lucky enough to see plenty; come common and some rare to see... in addition to the common sightings like raccoons, snapper, tarpon and crabs, we've seen key deer, spoonbills, horseshoe crabs, bonnet head sharks, bald eagles and other birds of prey. Park at the corner of Old State Road 4A and Sugarloaf Boulevard and walk east past the vehicle barriers to walk to Jumping Bridge (its just what is sounds like) and if feeling adventurous then continue onto Loop Road Trail (stop at the open water areas for a dip in the water), find the Secret Beach and walk the nature trail to Burn-Out Bridge (and watch the boats travel between Sugarloaf and the Atlantic) ... Or drive past the intersection to the west and stop by Sammy Creek Landing... it's a park with a boat launch, decent fishing and a good spot to bring lunch/picnic.... Or go onto my favorite and drive (or bike) all the way to the west end of Old State Road 4A, park the car and continue onto the Old Overseas Nature Trail. It's a very long hike to the end but it is gorgeous with some areas in the shade (tree canopy over the trail creating a tunnel like experience) and a lot in the sun too; great views of the water and mangroves. For those that have sweet blood... bring insect repellent/lotion

Pretty place and private. Can be very hot though (of course) so bringing water is important. I was…read moretold there are sometimes dangerous snakes but I didn't see any.

This is an old quarry from the time when the railroad was built. It takes about 30 minutes to see…read moreit all. There are a few alligators living there. Lots of fish to see. There were some park employees on site who were a wealth of information. And it's free.

We didn't see any wildlife but enjoyed stretching our legs and that the trees were marked with the…read morenames of the trees.

Enjoyed an afternoon ebike ride along the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail…read more The Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail is a 106-mile, multi-use path for biking, hiking, and skating that parallels the Overseas Highway, incorporating parts of the original Flagler Railroad and historic bridges. It offers scenic views, access to natural areas like parks and wildlife refuges, and is a linear state park with various services. While much of the trail is paved and safe, some sections require users to walk alongside the highway shoulder, especially on busier bridges like the Seven Mile Bridge. Highly recommended.

The Henry Flagler's East Coast Railways have been converted to be part of the trail. This trail…read morethat is parallel to the Seven Mile Bridge is partially complete with a new concrete sidewalk. Lots of people were fishing off of it today. There's a good sized parking lot too.

This trail is kinda short but worth visiting…read more The trail is within a larger area that is home to a few trails and this is one of them. It's well maintained (which is nice since a lot of Keys trails and parks sometimes look messy and overgrown). The trail is rock and some parts with boardwalk (for the overlooks) and you oversee a lot of how the keys were back in its natural state. There are signs to read that give useful educational information and for animals that you may see. Of the few times we've hiked the trails around here, we haven't seen much in the way of wildlife but we have seen a rabbit once and a couple of key deer (which are the cutest deers ever).

Free Florida fun. It's a nice 2/3 mile walk in a loop of fairly manicured gravel trails through the…read morehammock. There's also a shorter leg that goes to a viewing deck. Pretty cool. No deer today but that's not always the case. And do be mindful of the poisonwood!

Been coming to this beach for about a decade. The hurricanes have really done a number on this…read morebeach. The Navy has added more signage about no trespassing, but the trails are still there. Red's Resting Place is also still there, but Mother Nature is working on reclaiming it.

We would go here while in Key West to get away from the crowds, and get some all over sun. Like…read moreRon M. said, If you do not like unmaintained beaches or unclothed people, go to some public beaches like Higgs beach and take your trash with you.

Little Hamaca Park is a quiet, tucked-away spot in Key West, perfect for those who enjoy nature and…read moresolitude. The trails go through the mangroves and offer a peaceful escape from the busier parts of the island. It's a great place for birdwatching (there were people all over the place doing this) or simply taking a quiet walk near the salt pond. However, parking is limited, so plan accordingly. There are no public restrooms, which is inconvenient for longer visits. The trails can also get muddy after rain, so it's best to go during dry weather or earlier in the day when it's cooler. If you go towards dusk or dawn you absolutely 100% will need bug spray.

A drive through the Florida Keys will bring you to find/see plenty of nature... obvious ones like a…read morebunch of state parks (Bahia Honda State Park, Curry Hammock State Park, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and Dagny Johnson Hammock Botanical State Park); and there are a rather large number of natural places to go for hikes, bike rides, fishing... many that are unknown to visitors (you need a local to share the secrets); but a handful of hidden gems are right here in Key West.... Little Hamaca is a great one. Most locals (and some tourists) know there are protected, native habitats made up of salt flats and mangroves around three sides of the airport but it's surprising how many don't know there is a section on the north side of the airport that is a tropical hammock (an area that is an important part of an ecosystem that is an elevated area slightly above the wetlands that support trees and wildlife that may not survive otherwise). It can be challenging to locate.... do not attempt to visit directly from South Roosevelt; you must access the area from Flagler and definitely follow a GPS. It's an interesting drive and don't stop, thinking you arrived, at the first paved parking stall and what appears to be a nature walk with a covered canopy providing nature information (that's Fran Ford White Crowned Pigeon Park). Go well beyond Fran Ford and once you take the bend in the road, there is a hard to notice, dirt/rock parking lot... Once you park, there is a raised, wood boardwalk; and ironically the parking lot has a solid, concrete handicap parking stall and access to the boardwalk (so the park/trail are handicap accessible... thumbs up to the City of Key West for this). Roughly the first half of the trail is wood planks with metal rails; but at some point the trail continues through the dirt/rock/natural growth. The trail remains clear but no wheelchair accessible at this point. It's really a lovely area... home to numerous wildlife like raccoons, squirrels, crabs, snails, butterflies, reptiles, spiders and a variety of birds (including the endangered white-crowned pigeon, the namesake of the park/trail down the road from Little Hamaca Park. There may also be crocodiles as the warning signage at the trailhead states... If you travel far enough along the dirt trail, then another boardwalk begins and it eventually ends at the Riveria Canal... it's like a slight reward for your hard work (not really that hard though). If you're not familiar with Riveria Canal, it's a canal that is lined with residential properties on the far side from the hammock and salt flats.

We were in Key West for one day on a cruise. Fort Zachary Taylor is about 1 mile from Mallory…read moresquare (near where you dock) so we walked. It's $2.50 if you walk in. The beach had nice sand but intermittent rocky portions. The grounds were really pretty, we enjoyed taking in some of the unique plant life that grows in this area. The fort was an added bonus. Ultimately this is a great combination of beach and history and I recommend stopping!

Absolutely gorgeous beach! It's very rocky though so wear water shoes!!!…read moreWe also got married on the east beach side and it was magical! Highly recommend! There is a snack shop with food and alcoholic drinks, bathrooms and a small souvenir shop in the middle of the beach.

Bahia Honda State Park is located at Mile Marker 37 along US 1. (Mile markers are how you find…read moreeverything in the keys. There are 500 acres of park, plus an off shore island. There are 3 beach areas, a campground/cabins, picnic areas and boat ramps. It's very much a place to relax on the beach and take it easy. Bahia Honda is the tropical paradise that you probably imagine when you think of the Florida Keys. Bahia Honda's beaches--Sandspur, Loggerhead, and Calusa--are one of the biggest draws to the park. Each one is beautiful and worth a visit. Bahia Honda is a great place to swim as the water temperatures are typically warm and the water is shallow. See, it also depends on time of the year, like for us, Sandspur beach was full of seaweed. and i found loggerhead beach to shallow and it was really great to swim over there. while you are here, A fun thing to do is take the quick trail up to the old Bahia Honda Bridge that you can see from Calusa Beach and the very edge of Loggerhead Beach. This is the only trail here and it's a pretty quick walk. The walk is fairly short and you aren't allowed to go far along the bridge as it breaks off at some point. However, you do get to go up high enough to see Bahia Honda from above. The bridge has a great view of both of the beaches. Depending on time of day, you might get a different view. There is little to no shade on the beach. If you are wanting to stay all day, you might want to bring your own umbrella for the beach! Cost: $8 per vehicle, $4.50 for vehicles with one person, $2.50 for pedestrians + cyclists

This park has to be one of the best that the Florida Keys has to offer. I have always wanted to…read morestop here while visiting our friends that live in Key West and we finally had the opportunity. Bahia Honda means "Deep Bay" and refers to the deep bays of Bahia Honda Key. It is pronounced Bah -EE-ah Own da. It is 30 feet deep which makes it the deepest natural harbors in the Keys. It was established in 1961and is known for its history as part of Henry Flagler's "Overseas Railroad" and is now known as the Overseas Highway. In 1935 there was a huge hurricane that destroyed the railroad. What makes this park so unique is that it is encompasses an offshore island and it sits between Ohio Key and Spanish Harbor Key close to the west end of the Seven Mile Bridge. The park has 524 acres of lush beauty. It is open everyday of the year from 8am - sundown and the fee is $8 per vehicle. Clean restrooms and outdoor showers available. There is so many things to do such as snorkeling, swimming in the gin clear crystal waters, hiking out to the Old Bahia Bridge, birding, camping, boat rentals, a concession stand, rent a cabin, kayak, fishing or visit the nature center. We found parking easily and made our way out on the trail to the Old Bridge. The views from up here are panoramic. After viewing the bridge and the views, we really could not resist taking a dip at one of the beaches. The water was still warm enough to swim in November and it felt fantastic. What I love most about the state park beaches along the Keys are all the marine life you can view while swimming or just walking on the beach. No place like it! If I could give this park 10 stars I would, it is that incredible. Cannot wait to come back again.

Wow, were we lucky to find Finz when our charter to the Dry Tortugas canceled 5 days before our…read morescheduled excursion! Luckily, Finz had availability - and gratefully, we had Captain Rob and Holly to steer us there! His communication was EXCELLENT with texts in advance to keep me informed and prepared. We took their 37' Park Shark, which comfortably sat us in a cabin with plentiful views. The ride was a bit rougher than a catamaran, but it took us from Key West to the Dry Tortugas where Holly acted as our private tour guide, sharing insights about its history while we enjoyed the migrating birds. Afterwards, we zipped into wet suits that they provided to snorkel around a sunken ship. I'd recommend bringing your own lunch, especially if you have a vegetarian or pescatarian diet, but they kindly provide plenty of snacks and ice water. Captain Rob and Holly made our trip one of our favorite family experiences. Here's a photo and video that Holly took from our snorkel adventure. I highly recommend Finz!

Our party of 6 chartered the Finz Park Shark for a day trip to the Dry Tortugas, where we scuba…read moredove (2 of us) and snorkeled, badly (4 of us). Everything was perfection. The crew was professional, friendly and attentive. We arrived at Fort Jefferson before the ferry, and enjoyed a private tour without the crowds. We visited two separate dive/snorkel sites (cool wrecks!) and lunch on the beach. Not cheap, but definitely the best way to visit the island from Key West, short of buying your own boat. Highly, highly recommend this company.