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While some areas of the Florida Keys, feel commercial and crowded, there are lovely pockets of nature to explore at the Florida Keys-State Parks. Being a shorter trip, we are only able to adventure in two of the Florida Keys-State Parks, but I look forward to a return to visit more.
John Pennecamp Coral Reef State Park-Key Largo
After paying the entrance fee, we venture into John Pennecamp Coral Reef State Park. There is ample parking even on this busy day.
We’re here for the trails, but most visitors are here for the beach. Friends and Family are laughing, swimming, and chilling in the sand.
The Mangrove Trail is closed on the day of our visit. We are able to walk The Wild Tamarind Trail and The Grove Trail. Both are easy, basic, trails.
Points of interest are the trees, plants, and small wildlife you encounter.
The visitors’ center includes exhibits and a small aquarium, which provide a healthy dose of learning. Watching the fish swim about, is a pleasant way to calm your mind. It’s also a respite from the sun and humidity outside.
Florida Keys State Parks, have a variety of activities on offer. At John Pennecamp State Park, you can snorkel, fish, paddle, and even camp.
Our visit is only for a few hours at the end of the day, so we did not partake in all of the park’s recreations. If you stay until park close, you can savor the sunset.
Note: You do you, so no shame, but know that a small group of visitors may gather at the edge of the beach, and bond over the entertainment that is your reluctant looking travel partner, snapping Instagram pictures of you, doing seductive poses, on the beach cannon.
If you want to have a fun beach day, or you plan on doing a variety of activities at the park, visit John Pennecamp. Though the trails would be a nice introduction for small kids or non-hikers, I wouldn’t visit the park just for the trails.
Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park-Islamorada
After researching Florida Keys State Parks, I added Windley Key State Park to our Islamorada-Road Trip itinerary. I had zero expectations, but the park made quite an impression (fossil pun intended).
Windley Key State Park includes five easy, walking, trails.
A former Keystone quarry, some of the trails include remnants of the park’s quarry-past.
The best feature of the park however, are the fossils.
I’m endlessly fascinated by fossils. Fossils are nature leaving extra gifts of art for us to admire.
After paying the entrance fee, we are handed a laminated book that provides descriptions of the flora on the paths. There are markers along the trails that correspond with information in the book.
At first we are energized by the learning, but after an hour, the stopping every minute to read a new paragraph, takes away from the restfulness of nature. We only stop for things that are especially interesting.
I can’t get enough of the coral patterns and fossil impressions at Windley Key.
Like all parks, including Florida Keys State Parks, there is a park/trail highlight.
Though there are neat trees along the trails in the park,
the most captivating, is the tree in the wall on the Windley Trail. If you visit the park, it’s not-to-be-missed.
Along with Custer State Park and Watkins Glen State Park, Windley Key State Park has made my list of favorite, visited, State Parks. Instead of the usual nature attractions, I enjoyed the display of geological wonders. If you are driving through the Florida Keys, it’s worth a stop, even for a brief visit.
I recently had a conversation with other travel enthusiasts regarding how State Parks are an often overlooked travel activity. Many are spectacular, so think about adding a few Florida Keys State Parks, into a Florida Keys trip.
Places to Stay in the Florida Keys
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Villa Paradiso Baracoa
atLoved this post, Sarah! From the pictures in it (and from previous, even if vague things we know) we appreciate the similarities in nature, flora, and habitats that Florida & Cuba share. Including, of course, some amazing fossil ‘natural art’! 🙂
Glad to see you point to small wildlife. It does not always elicit the interest it deserves. A good guide is key to be able to spot a good range of wonderful species. This type of experience got us hooked on trying to get nice pictures of such little critters, so we are trying to get acquainted with macro photography.
Learning about nature and, most importantly, being intentionally in touch with it is not only soothing and thrilling, but also prompts us to be more mindful of the riches we need to preserve. So, it feels like you’re spot-on when you recommend the natural park + beach combo – an ideal day outdoors!