Known for its natural white sand beaches and botanically rich tropical hammocks, Bahia Honda State Park bears scars from Hurricane Irma’s wrath.
The sandy strand of Calusa Beach still beckons visitors off US 1, as does the availability of campsites, cabins, and tent camping on this sunny isle.
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Overview
Location: Bahia Honda Key
Length: 0.6 mile loop
Trailhead: 24.664931,-81.257121
Address: 36850 Overseas Highway
Fees: $8 per vehicle plus 50 cents per person county tax
Restroom: Across from Calusa Beach
Land manager: Florida State Parks
Phone: 305-872-2353
No dogs are allowed on the beaches, in buildings, or in cabins.
Bicycles not permitted on trails, but you are welcome to ride the park roads.
Directions
The entrance to Bahia Honda State Park is along the oceanside of US 1 at the south end of Bahia Honda Key. Once inside the park gate, follow the park road to where it now ends at the parking area. Park in the main parking area near the marina.
About the Park
Still a destination for snorkeling, diving, and camping, Bahia Honda State Park looks nothing like it did before Hurricane Irma bore down on Florida last fall.
The famed natural white sand beaches on the Atlantic Coast washed away, exposing a ledge of coral rock where iguanas now bask.
While the park’s outfitter will keep you busy with offshore tours and kayak rentals, portions of the park that we all knew and loved are now gone.
Bay cedar is growing back where the Atlantic beach once was near the old bridgeThe park contains more than 150 species of native plants, including the largest known stand of Florida silver palms.
From the Overseas Highway, it appears that the silver palms may have weathered the storm just fine. But much of the canopy and what was once a rich understory around the Marina and Calusa Beach is gone.
The silver palm hammock in 2015The concessionaire at the marina provides wifi for park visitors and has a coffee shop and snack bar. Stop in to arrange a snorkeling trip to Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary, or to rent a kayak.
Concession area with diningBiking
The Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail spans the length of Bahia Honda Key, passing right through the park as it parallels US 1.
If you want to get off the trail to use facilities in the park or to visit the camp store, you’ll have to pay an entrance fee. There is no fee to simply follow the bike path across Bahia Honda Key.
It was in rough condition when we rode it in December 2018, with pieces carried off by Hurricane Irma and not replaced. It was often easier to ride along the highway.
Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail Spanning from Key West to Key Largo, this 108-mile linear state park corridor is an island-hopping slice of tropical paradise along the former route of the Florida Overseas Railroad.Hiking
Bahia Honda State Park used to have a lovely loop through a rare silver palm hammock called the Silver Palm Trail. It has yet to reopen.
The only signposted trail at this time is the Old Bahia Honda Bridge Trail. You can also do a loop under and around the bridge following our Beach Walk route.
A portion of that route is an accessible sidewalk extending from the marina area along Calusa Beach. It ends at a good view of the Old Bahia Honda Bridge and Bahia Honda Channel.
Old Bahia Honda Bridge Trail Stand above Bahia Honda State Park and take in a sweeping view from one of the highest points in the Florida Keys: atop the Old Bahia Honda Bridge, built in the early 1900s.
Bahia Honda Beach Walk A walk around the southern tip of Bahia Honda Key, this shoreline hike at Bahia Honda State Park provides scenic views and an up-close look at the historic bridge.Paddling
You can launch your craft at Calusa Beach near the marina, where you can also rent kayaks from the concessionaire.
The Florida Bay side of the island has calmer waters, but the wind can make things choppy. Be aware that the Bahia Honda Channel is one of the deepest spots in the Florida Keys.
Light colored spots indicate shallows near shoreCamping
With 48 sites, Buttonwood Campground is within an easy walk of Calusa Beach and the marina. All sites have a picnic table, barbecue grill, and water. Buttonwood has electric hookups.
Bayside Campground and the park cabins are on the Florida Bay side of Bahia Honda Key. The park has three duplex cabins on stilts. One is wheelchair accessible via a lift. Eight non-electric sites are set up for tent camping.
The 23 sites at Sandspur Campground are along the oceanfront expanse of the Atlantic, generally a placid place thanks to the offshore reefs. Like Buttonwood, these sites have electric and can handle RVs, but none over 23 feet.
Buttonwood Campground adjoins US 1Explore More!
Slideshow
See our photos of Bahia Honda State Park
Nearby Adventures
More worth exploring while you’re in this area.
National Key Deer Refuge Established in 1957 to prevent the extinction of the diminutive Key deer, National Key Deer Refuge spans 84,351 acres across 25 islands in the Lower Keys.
Long Key State Park A former coconut plantation and angler's destination, Long Key State Park is now a natural oceanfront outpost in the Florida Keys.
Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden Boardwalks and footpaths wind through curated plant collections against a backdrop of natural habitats at the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden.
Curry Hammock State Park Bring your binoculars for fall birding at Curry Hammock State Park, where migrating raptors cruise overhead by the hundreds following a major flyover route. 
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