Parks and Outdoor Recreation in the Florida Keys: Trails, Beaches, and Nature Preserves

What are the best parks and outdoor recreation spots in the Florida Keys? From the coral reefs of Key Largo to the nature trails of Marathon, the Florida Keys offer an impressive range of outdoor recreation opportunities. This guide covers the top state parks, nature preserves, beaches, and multi-use trails across the Upper and Middle Keys, giving you everything you need to explore the natural side of island living. If you are considering a move to the Keys, the abundance of outdoor recreation is one of the greatest advantages of the lifestyle. To get a broader sense of each community, explore our interactive Florida Keys map and community guides for Key Largo, Islamorada, and Marathon.

State Parks in the Upper Keys: Key Largo to Tavernier

The Upper Keys are home to some of Florida's most remarkable state parks. These protected areas preserve the unique ecosystems that make the Keys special, from coral reefs and seagrass beds to tropical hardwood hammocks and mangrove shorelines.

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

Located at Mile Marker 102.5 in Key Largo, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is the first undersea park in the United States. Spanning 70 nautical square miles, the park protects a vibrant section of the Florida Reef Tract, the only living coral barrier reef in North America. Visitors can snorkel and dive at iconic sites including Christ of the Abyss, Molasses Reef, and Grecian Rocks. Glass-bottom boat tours offer a dry alternative for viewing the reef. The park also features a 30,000-gallon saltwater aquarium at the visitor center, a swimming beach, kayak rentals for exploring mangrove tunnels, and tropical hammock walking trails. Camping is available at nearby sites. For details on visiting, check the official park page.

Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park

At Mile Marker 106 in Key Largo, Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park protects 1,084 acres of tropical hardwood hammock, one of the most endangered ecosystems in Florida. The park features nature trails for hiking and birdwatching through a dense canopy of gumbo-limbo, mahogany, and thatch palm trees. Over 84 protected plant and animal species call this park home, including the Key Largo woodrat and Schaus swallowtail butterfly. The park is open sunrise to sunset, 365 days a year, with free admission.

Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center

Also known as the Laura Quinn Wild Bird Sanctuary, the Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center is located at Mile Marker 93.6 in Tavernier along the Florida Bay side. The center rescues, rehabilitates, and releases native and migratory birds brought in for a variety of reasons, from vehicle strikes to window collisions to fishing line entanglement. Their Birdgency Room treated approximately 900 birds last year alone. The sanctuary is home to 90 species, including permanent residents like a Masked Booby and Leopold the Barred Owl that cannot be released due to their injuries. Visitors can walk self-guided nature trails and boardwalks through outdoor aviaries housing pelicans, cormorants, shorebirds, and other species 365 days a year. The center is a nonprofit organization relying on donor support and volunteer workers. Admission is free; donations are encouraged and support the rehabilitation work.

Parks and Recreation in Islamorada

Islamorada, the Sportfishing Capital of the World, also offers some of the best outdoor recreation in the Upper Keys. The village spans several islands including Upper Matecumbe Key, Lower Matecumbe Key, and Windley Key, each with its own parks and natural areas.

Founders Park

Founders Park on Plantation Key is Islamorada's premier 45-acre community park. Located at Mile Marker 87, it features a bay-side beach with swimming area, walking trails, a dog park, an Olympic-size swimming pool, fishing areas, picnic pavilions, and sports fields. The park is open to residents and visitors with a day-use fee. It is also the site of many community events throughout the year. For boaters, the park has a kayak and paddleboard launch providing access to Florida Bay.

Green Turtle Hammock Nature Preserve

This 8.7-acre preserve at Mile Marker 81.5 in Islamorada features a 0.4-mile loop trail through a tropical rockland hammock. The trail is an easy walk through a canopy of native trees, with interpretive signage along the way. The preserve also has a canoe launch, picnic areas, and a historic Keys vernacular cottage. Admission is free. It is a quiet spot for birdwatching and a break from the busy Overseas Highway.

Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park

At Mile Marker 84.9, Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park preserves an ancient fossilized coral reef that was quarried to build Henry Flagler's Overseas Railroad in the early 1900s. The park features guided trails through quarry walls where visitors can see fossilized coral heads, brain coral, and ancient sea life preserved in the rock. Exhibits at the park tell the story of the island's geological history and the railroad construction. The park offers ranger-led programs and self-guided exploration.

Anne's Beach

Anne's Beach at Mile Marker 73.5 on Lower Matecumbe Key is a beloved Keys shoreline with shallow turquoise water, a wooden boardwalk trail, and picnic tables under the shade of Australian pines. The water is typically calm and waist-deep for a long stretch offshore, making it a good spot for wading with children. Parking is limited but the beach is rarely crowded compared to larger beach parks. The boardwalk passes through a mangrove wetland and offers opportunities for birdwatching at sunrise and sunset.

Outdoor Recreation in the Middle Keys: Long Key to Marathon

The Middle Keys offer a quieter, more laid-back outdoor recreation experience. The parks here tend to be less developed and more focused on preserving the natural character of the Keys.

Long Key State Park

Long Key State Park at Mile Marker 67.4 is a 965-acre park offering tent and RV camping, a nature trail through a coastal berm hammock, and excellent kayaking through the tidal flats and lagoons on the Atlantic side. The Golden Orb Trail, a 0.7-mile loop, takes visitors through a dense hardwood hammock and out to open shoreline views. Fishing from the shore and kayak is popular here. The park's campground sits right on the ocean, making it one of the most scenic camping spots in the Florida Keys. Reserve well in advance, especially during winter and spring.

Curry Hammock State Park

Curry Hammock State Park at Mile Marker 56.2 in Marathon is a 1,000-acre park and the largest undeveloped parcel between Key Largo and Big Pine Key. It features a mile-long beach on the Atlantic side, camping, kayaking and paddleboarding through mangrove trails, and excellent birdwatching. The hammock trails wind through tropical hardwood forest, and the beach is one of the best swimming beaches in the Middle Keys. Curry Hammock is an essential habitat for seabirds, sea turtles, and marine life. The park is open daily and day-use fees are reasonable. Visit the official Curry Hammock page to plan your trip.

Sombrero Beach

Sombrero Beach in Marathon, located at Mile Marker 50, is one of the most popular public beaches in the Middle Keys. It features soft white sand, picnic pavilions with grills, a playground, restrooms, and a fishing pier. The water is typically calm and clear, making it a great spot for swimming and snorkeling. The beach runs adjacent to Sombrero Beach Road and receives regular maintenance from the City of Marathon. Parking is free but fills up early on weekends and holidays.

Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail

The Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail is a paved multi-use path that runs along the historic Overseas Railroad route from Key Largo to Key West. When completed, it will span 106 miles. The trail is popular for biking, running, walking, and inline skating. For boaters who want to explore the waters around these parks, our boating lifestyle guide covers marinas and launch points across the Keys. Sections through the Upper Keys connect Key Largo, Tavernier, and Islamorada with 26.8 miles of continuous path. The trail offers ocean views, access to parks and beaches, and a safe alternative to riding on the Overseas Highway. Multiple trailheads with parking are available, and the surface is suitable for road bikes and hybrid bikes.

For residents, the Overseas Heritage Trail is one of the best features of Keys living. It connects neighborhoods to parks, shopping, and dining without needing a car. Many waterfront properties in Key Largo and Islamorada are within walking distance of the trail. If you are looking for a home near the trail, our buying guide explains how to find a property that fits your lifestyle.

Kayaking and Paddleboarding in the Keys

The Florida Keys offer some of the best kayaking and paddleboarding in the country, and the island chain's state parks provide the best access points. John Pennekamp Park has guided mangrove tunnel kayak tours. Curry Hammock and Long Key State Parks both have kayak launches and rental options. In Islamorada, Founders Park and Green Turtle Hammock offer canoe and kayak access to Florida Bay.

The calm, shallow waters of the Keys bayside make for ideal paddleboarding conditions, especially in the morning before the wind picks up. Mangrove tunnels offer shaded, scenic routes where you can spot juvenile fish, crabs, and wading birds up close. For more on diving and snorkeling the reef sites near these parks, see our diving and snorkeling guide. For a full guide to the best launch points and rentals, see our post on paddleboarding and kayaking in the Florida Keys. If underwater exploration is more your style, our diving and snorkeling guide covers the top reef sites from Key Largo to Marathon.

Living Near the Parks: Why Outdoor Recreation Matters for Buyers

One of the top reasons people move to the Florida Keys is access to outdoor recreation. Whether you want to walk your dog on a nature trail, launch your kayak from a park, or bike to the beach on the Overseas Heritage Trail, proximity to parks is a major factor in property value and lifestyle satisfaction. Key Largo and Islamorada properties near state parks and community parks tend to hold value well because the public land is protected from development.

If outdoor recreation is a priority for you, talk to someone who knows the market. The Conley Sales Group at COMPASS represents buyers and sellers across the entire Keys island chain, from Key Largo through Tavernier, Islamorada, Marathon, and the Lower Keys. Our team understands which neighborhoods offer the best access to parks, beaches, and trails. Reach out to contact Steve Conley to discuss your real estate goals and find a home that puts the best of the Keys at your doorstep.