The best road cycling routes in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

This 7-acre sanctuary is home to a wide variety of injured birds that need care. There is a nice boardwalk that takes you through different enclosures where you can learn about the permanent residents—birds that can't return to the wild. Some bird species here include double-crested cormorants, green herons, great horned owls, masked boobies, and brown pelicans. If you keep walking along the path, you'll be treated to a stunning view of Florida Bay and a peaceful pond filled with wading birds. Admission is free, but they do ask for a $10 donation per person to support the refuge.

Small and quite cozy pub for a stopover. Water view - rear access. theocean-view.com.

Key Largo is a laid-back community known as the “Diving Capital of the World.” The dive sites here are among the bucket lists of many, like Molasses Reef and the iconic underwater Christ of the Abyss statue in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. This charming town features beautiful parks, countless delightful restaurants tucked away among the marinas and neighborhoods, and plenty of places to stay, from cozy hotels to beautiful resorts and vacation rentals. It’s the perfect blend of great food and a relaxing atmosphere, making it an ideal place to spend time in the Upper Keys of Florida.

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is the first underwater park in the United States, spanning an impressive 70 nautical square miles. Known for its vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life, the park offers glass-bottom boat tours, as well as scuba diving and snorkeling for a closer look at the stunning underwater scenery. It is a popular spot for canoeing, kayaking, and fishing, with several small trails that wind through tropical hammocks. The park includes full-facility campsites, picnic areas, and a lovely beach area—perfect for relaxing and taking a dip on a hot day. The visitor center features large saltwater aquariums, a gift shop, and screens nature videos about the fish and coral species that inhabit the area. ** The park is open daily from 8 am to sunset, with a walk-in fee of $2.50 per person.

This section of the trail offers fantastic views of the Atlantic and the Gulf and is a flat pathway with a combination of mixed surfaces, including asphalt, crushed stone, and loose gravel. It runs along John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and the island of Key Largo—with plenty of souvenir shops and delicious local dining options. As you continue, the trail is shaded by the tropical flora of a hardwood hammock, featuring plants and trees that are native to the West Indies. The formation of the Keys, influenced by wind, water, and birds that carried seeds, contributed to the development of these forests and is a welcome escape from the sun, especially on hot summer days.

This trailhead is the official northern access point for the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail (FKOHT), a multi-use pathway that spans 106 miles through some of Florida's most scenic small seaside communities. Parking is available at the Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park, a small lot that can fill up quickly, so it's best to arrive early in the day. Alternatively, there is a transit stop at the corner of Sexton Cove and Linda Drive, 1.25 miles south of the trailhead on the opposite side of the Overseas Highway (the trail runs on both sides of the road). There is no restroom or water available here, but there are plenty of places along the trail where you can stop to refill your water bottle.

Long Key State Park is a state park in Monroe County, Florida, United States. The 390-hectare state park is located on the Overseas Highway at Mile Marker 67.5 on Long Key, an island in the Florida Keys.

This is what almost all bridges look like here, be careful, you can hardly see the oncoming traffic and it is too late