• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Florida Hikes logo

Hike Bike Paddle Camp Florida with authors Sandra Friend and John Keatley as your guides

  • Trails
  • Maps
  • Guidebooks
  • Search
  • Hike
    • Scenic Hikes
    • Loop Trails
    • Dog-friendly Hikes
    • Hikes for Kids
    • National Parks in Florida
    • Florida State Parks
  • Bike
    • Major Bike Trails
    • Paved Bike Trails
    • Off Road Biking
    • Biking Articles
  • Paddle
    • Canoe & Kayak Rentals
    • Paddling Destinations
    • Paddling Articles
  • Camp
    • Cabin Rentals
    • Car Camping
    • Primitive Camping
  • Florida Trail
    • Plan your Hike
    • Best Scenic Hikes
    • Best Backpacking
    • Section Hiking
    • Thru-Hiking
    • Trail Updates
  • Travel
  • Hike
    • Scenic Hikes
    • Loop Trails
    • Dog-friendly Hikes
    • Hikes for Kids
    • National Parks in Florida
    • Florida State Parks
  • Bike
    • Major Bike Trails
    • Paved Bike Trails
    • Off Road Biking
    • Biking Articles
  • Paddle
    • Canoe & Kayak Rentals
    • Paddling Destinations
    • Paddling Articles
  • Camp
    • Cabin Rentals
    • Car Camping
    • Primitive Camping
  • Florida Trail
    • Plan your Hike
    • Best Scenic Hikes
    • Best Backpacking
    • Section Hiking
    • Thru-Hiking
    • Trail Updates
  • Travel
Cabbage Key Trail

Cabbage Key Nature Trail

Hike the Cabbage Key Nature Trail for a step back in time on an island known for its great cheeseburgers and layers of mystery, from Calusa times to a mystery writer’s family retreat

Pine Island Sound      ( 26.6565, -82.2225 )      0.5 miles

It took a pile of oyster shells, heaped by by the Calusa, to create Cabbage Key. Although it’s been a popular destination since the 1930s, its roots go much deeper.

Underlying this island in Pine Island Sound is a massive mound, created a thousand years ago or more.

Cabbage Key Shell deposits spilling from the mound


It was built here by the tribes who lived on Pine Island in a city they called Tampa. A seagoing culture, their tools were based on shells, their diet seafood.

They built mounds atop their discards of shells to have high ground above the surrounding water where they could place their dwellings.

Cabbage Key Looking over Pine Island Sound from the mound


Only accessible by boat, Cabbage Key is home to the Cabbage Key Inn and Restaurant, with its mouthwatering cheeseburgers and renowned Key Lime pie.

But before you tuck into a meal on this quiet island, take a loop around the island on the nature trail to dig into the mysteries that lie beneath your feet.

Cabbage Key A gopher tortoise grazes among midden shells


Resources

South Florida Explorers Guide book cover

Disclosure: As authors and affiliates, we receive earnings when you buy these through our links. This helps us provide public information on this website.


Overview

Location: Cabbage Key
Length: 0.5 mile loop
Trailhead: 26.6565, -82.2225
Address: Channel Marker 60, Pine Island Sound
Fees: The cost of getting there
Restroom: at the visitor center
Land manager: Cabbage Key Inn & Restaurant
Phone: 239-283-2278

While it welcomes guests daily, Cabbage Key is privately owned. Private boaters welcome. Pets are not permitted.

No smoking on the trail. Expect mosquitoes along the trail.

Accommodations include six rooms in the inn and a collection of cottages ranging from the historic 1930s buildings to larger multi-room stilt homes.

Cabbage Key


Directions

 
You can only get to Cabbage Key by boat. If you don’t own a boat, several tour operators include the island among their destinations. All of them make sure you have time for lunch on the island. Tours start around $40 per person and do not include your meal.
 
Cabbage Key The approach to Cabbage Key by boat


From Punta Gorda, King Fisher Fleet offers a full day journey from the mouth of the Peace River through Charlotte Harbor to Cabbage Key, departing at 9 AM and returning after 4.

Cabbage Key Departing Punta Gorda with King Fisher Fleet


From Pine Island, three different operators run trips to Cabbage Key and water taxi service to neighboring Useppa Island. You’ll find information about them from Tarpon Lodge, sister property to the Cabbage Key Inn.

Cabbage Key Leaving Useppa Island for Cabbage Key


From Captiva, Captiva Cruises runs regular tours to Cabbage Key. Theirs depart at 10 AM and return by 3 PM. Our most recent journey to the island was with their crew.

Cabbage Key Taking Captiva Cruises to Cabbage Key


Hike

Edged with mangrove forests, Cabbage Key mirrors the coastline of Pine Island and other other interior islands of Pine Island Sound.

There are no beaches here. That’s because the barrier island of Cayo Costa sits to its west, capturing the waves off the Gulf of Mexico.

Cayo Costa Passing the south end of Cayo Costa on the way to Cabbage Key


There are no roads here, either. Just a surprisingly steep pathway from the marina up to the restaurant, which sits atop the midden, 38 feet above the sound.

The island is on the National Register of Historic Places. This is the vicinity where Ponce De Leon sailed through in 1513, when the Calusa still thrived along these shores.

Cabbage Key Climbing the midden from the boat dock


Contact with the Europeans, unfortunately, brought both disease and slavery. The last of the Calusa escaped from their ancestral homes along this coast in 1760.

A homesteader moved to the island from Punta Gorda in 1896, planting coconut palms and tropical fruit trees.

Cabbage Key Poinciana and other tropical trees still top the midden


In 1936, the son of mystery writer Mary Roberts Rinehart bought the island and had a winter estate built, as was fashionable among wealthy Northern families.

The water tower, boathouse, and several cottages date back to that era. The home was converted to the inn and restaurant, opening in 1944.

Cabbage Key Front of the restaurant, formerly a winter home


Once you’ve climbed up from the boathouse and gotten a reservation set up at the restaurant, follow the broad path to the left of the porch towards the water tower.

Signs indicate where the trail is located. You’ll notice an osprey nest atop the tower. Save the climb for the end of the hike.

Cabbage Key Along the footpath to the tower and trail


Keep following signs past the horticultural area, the cottages, and the side paths that lead to other lodgings.

Look for the Smokey Bear sign. It marks the beginning of the nature trail, which provides useful interpretive markers all the way around the loop.

Cabbage Key Start of the nature trail, past the cottages


The well-maintained footpath leads into the tropical hammock that tops the high ground of Cabbage Key.

The forest is edged by the dense mangrove forest that protects this island from storms. When you get to the Y in the loop, keep right.

Cabbage Key A tree cactus that lost its tree. Others dangle above.


On our first visit here, we were impressed by the obvious narrow canals through the mangroves, so we chose the counterclockwise walk to see those first.

Archaeologists agree that the Calusa who plied this coastline in their canoes dug their own canals in many places, not just on these islands but all the way to Lake Okeechobee.

Calusa canal Cabbage Key
Canal among the mangroves on Cabbage Key

As the forest opens up, the trail provides views of Pine Island Sound through the trees beyond the great blue heron interpretive marker.

When you’re reading these markers, don’t forget to look up and down. We kept encountering unexpected wildlife.

Cabbage Key This lizard-chasing black racer surprised us at one marker


On the high ground, the sandy path continues between the tropical trees and palms, dappled in sunshine for a short stretch.

An interpretive marker talks about the Calusa mound and other excavations done on nearby islands, including the extensive dig at the Randell Research Center on Pine Island.

Cabbage Key Interpretive signs about plants and animals on the island add to the hike


As the trail loses elevation, it reaches the edge of the mangroves again. One of the trees in the tropical hammock pointed out here is the Spanish stopper, which has a skunky aroma.

It’s unlikely there are skunks on Cabbage Key. But lizards, snakes, and gopher tortoises are common. Watch the trunks of the mangroves for mangrove crabs.

Cabbage Key The trunk of an ancient sea grape tree


Where a side path goes off to the right around halfway around the loop, keep left as the sign indicates.

The trail is close to the shoreline, with lots of sea grapes overhead. More interpretive signs call your attention to native plants.

Cabbage Key Walking under a bower of sea grape leaves


Shards of fossilized shells dapples the footpath as it climbs out of that low area up to one of the odder sights along the trail, a strangler fig with outstretched prop roots but no trunk.

If you look closely, you can see just a foot or so of the remains of the cabbage palm that it strangled, hanging below the tangle of roots.

Cabbage Key An unusual sight to see


Cabbage palms and sea grapes dominate this part of the walk, with the mangroves right behind them. There tend to be a lot of mosquitoes in this stretch.

Dark water glistens between the mangroves and buttonwoods. You pass a live oak tree as the trail ascends.

Cabbage Key On the ecotone between hammock and mangroves


Coming back to the beginning of the loop, turn right. Walk back past the cottages and through the tropical plantings.

Take the time to climb the water tower for an panorama from the top across the islands of Pine Island Sound.

Pine Island Sound
Pine Island Sound as seen from Cabbage Key

At the restaurant, it’s worth wandering around the interior to see a sight you won’t see often: thousands and thousands of dollars in cash.

The dollar bills started going up on the walls when the bar opened in 1971. Of course, rumor spread it was good luck to pin one on the wall. We added to the collection.

Cabbage Key Dollar bills cover the walls and ceiling of the bar and restaurant


Inside the restaurant, it’s obvious this was once a home, a fishing lodge in one of the best destinations for tarpon in the world.

Cabbage Key Rich paneling and a tarpon over the fireplace


While many people who stop here to dine head right for their cheeseburger, said to have inspired Jimmy Buffet, we found their shrimp salad a delightful choice on a hot day.

Even better, the key lime pie. There are so many ways this Florida standard can be presented, but this one was semi-frozen and just perfect.

Restaurant at Cabbage Key
Restaurant at Cabbage Key

Trail Map

Cabbage Key Nature Trail Map


Explore More!

Slideshow

See our photos of Cabbage Key


Nearby Adventures

More worth exploring while you’re in this area.

View of La Costa Island south tip

Cayo Costa State Park

To spend a day or a weekend on your own deserted island? Heaven. This is one of the tougher and costlier state parks to get to, but well worth it.

Sea grapes Gasparilla Island

Gasparilla Island State Park

Protecting a string of beaches along the Gulf shore of Boca Grande on Gasparilla Island, this far-flung outpost of Lee County is home to one of Florida’s most delightful lighthouse museums

Ponce De Leon Park boardwalk

Ponce De Leon Park

A city park with dramatic sunsets over a beach on Charlotte Harbor, Ponce De Leon Park is a delight for birders and paddlers, too.

Needlerush marsh Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park

Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park

Stretched long and thin to follow the convoluted shoreline of Charlotte Harbor, Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park protects more than 100 miles of coastline along the Gulf Coast


Reserve a Room Official Website

Category: Access by water, Hikes, Loop Hikes, Natural Attractions, Nature Trails, Restaurants, Southwest Florida, TrailsTag: Archaeological Sites, Botanical, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Historic Sites, Mangroves, Observation Towers, Pine Island Sound, Punta Gorda, Tropical Forests, Wildlife Viewing

Reader Interactions

Have an update? Contact us.

Primary Sidebar

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA OVERVIEW
Big Cypress Swamp. Everglades National Park. Florida Trail

Bradenton . Charlotte Harbor. Ding Darling NWR. Englewood. Estero. Fort Myers. Immokalee. Naples. Pine Island. Port Charlotte. Punta Gorda. Sanibel Island. Sarasota. Venice

Our Newest Books

The Florida Trail Guide

The Florida Trail GuideOur definitive guidebook to planning backpacking trips on the Florida National Scenic Trail, now in its fourth edition. Full data charts and maps. B&W, 356 pages. $19.95 + tax & shipping.

Order Now


Florida Trail Hikes

Florida Trail Hikes 2nd edition coverFifty of the best day hikes, overnights, and weekend trips on the Florida Trail. Full hike descriptions and maps, full color. 376 pages. $24.95 + tax & shipping.

Order Now


Discovering the Florida Trail

Florida Trail mini coffee table book cover of trail into palm hammock
A visual journey the length of the Florida Trail, covering more than 1,500 miles from the Everglades to Pensacola Beach. Hardcover, 196 pages. $24.95 + tax & shipping.

Order Now
 


50 Hikes in Central Florida 3rd edition
Five Star Trails Orlando guidebook
Explorer's Guide North Florida & The Panhandle guidebook

Florida Trail Apps

Farout GuidesFarout Guides Comprehensive logistics and offline maps for the
Florida National Scenic Trail (1,500 miles), the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail (108 miles), and the ECT Florida Connector (92 miles).

Explore More

Our recent park & trail updates in this region

Red blaze post amid pines

CREW Flint Pen Strand

CREW Flint Pen Strand
Cypress dome

CREW Cypress Dome Trails

CREW Cypress Dome Trails
Collier Seminole Hiking Trail

Collier-Seminole Hiking Trail

Collier-Seminole Hiking Trail
Collier Memorial at Collier-Seminole State Park

Collier-Seminole State Park

Collier-Seminole State Park

Footer

FIND A TRAIL OR PARK

NORTHWEST FLORIDA
Apalachicola. Apalachicola National Forest. Blackwater River State Forest. Blountstown. Bonifay. Bristol. Cape San Blas. Carrabelle. Chattahoochee. Chipley. Crawfordville. Crestview. DeFuniak Springs. Destin. Ebro. Eglin Air Force Base. Fort Walton Beach. Freeport. Gulf Islands National Seashore. Madison. Marianna. Milton. Monticello. Mossy Head. Navarre Beach . Niceville. Panama City Beach. Pensacola. Ponce De Leon. Port St. Joe. Quincy. Sopchoppy. South Walton. St. Marks. St. Marks NWR. Tallahassee. Vernon. Wakulla. Wewahitchka

NORTH FLORIDA
Alachua. Amelia Island. Baldwin. Branford. Bunnell. Cedar Key. Chiefland. Crescent City. Dowling Park. Ellaville. Fernandina Beach. Flagler Beach. Gainesville. Green Cove Springs. High Springs. Jacksonville. Keystone Heights. Lake Butler.Lake City. Live Oak. Mayo. Macclenny. Micanopy. Olustee. Orange Park. Osceola National Forest. Palatka. Palatka-Lake Butler Trail. Palm Coast. Perry. Salt Springs. St. Augustine. Starke. Steinhatchee. Suwannee River Wilderness Trail. Suwannee Springs. Talbot Islands. Timucuan Preserve. Trenton. Welaka. White Springs. Williston

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Vimeo

MULTI-REGION
Big Cypress Swamp. East Coast Greenway. Everglades National Park. Florida National Scenic Trail

CENTRAL FLORIDA
Apopka. Belleview. Brandon. Brooksville. Bushnell. Canaveral National Seashore. Christmas. Chuluota. Clearwater Beach. Clermont. Coast to Coast Trail. Cocoa Beach. Cross Florida Greenway. Crystal River. Dade City. Daytona Beach. De Leon Springs. DeBary. Deland. Deltona. Dunedin. Dunnellon. Frostproof. Geneva. Inverness. Kenansville. Kissimmee. Lake Mary. Lake Wales. Lakeland. Largo. Leesburg. Longwood. Melbourne. Melbourne Beach. Merritt Island. Merritt Island NWR. Mims. Mount Dora. New Port Richey. New Smyrna Beach. Ocala. Ocala National Forest. Ocklawaha. Orlando. Ormond Beach. Osteen. Oviedo. Palm Bay. Ridge Manor. Sanford. Silver Springs. Spring Hill. St. Cloud. St. Petersburg. Tampa. Tarpon Springs. Titusville . Walt Disney World. Weeki Wachee. Winter Springs. Withlacoochee State Forest. Withlacoochee State Trail. Yeehaw Junction

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
Bradenton . Charlotte Harbor. Ding Darling NWR. Englewood. Estero. Fort Myers. Immokalee. Naples. Pine Island. Port Charlotte. Punta Gorda. Sanibel Island. Sarasota. Venice

SOUTH FLORIDA
Arcadia. Basinger. Big Cypress National Preserve. Big Cypress Seminole Reservation. Clewiston. Everglades City. Fisheating Creek. Lake Okeechobee. Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail. Lake Placid. LaBelle. Lakeport. Moore Haven. Okeechobee. Pahokee. Port Mayaca. Sebring. South Bay

SOUTHEAST FLORIDA
Big Pine Key. Biscayne Bay. Biscayne National Park. Boca Raton. Boynton Beach. Coral Gables. Davie. Delray Beach. Northeast Everglades Natural Area. Florida Keys. Fort Lauderdale. Fort Pierce. Hobe Sound. Hollywood. Homestead. Islamorada. Jensen Beach. Jupiter. Juno Beach. Key Biscayne. Key Largo. Key West. Marathon. Miami. Ocean to Lake Greenway. Overseas Heritage Trail. Palm Beach. Port St. Lucie. Redland. Sebastian. Stuart. Vero Beach. West Palm Beach

  • Trails
  • Parks
  • Beaches
  • Gardens
  • Springs
  • Ecotours
  • Attractions
©2006-2023, Sandra Friend & John Keatley | Disclosure | Site Index | Work with Us | Advertise with Us
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy | Florida Hikes PO Box 93 Mims FL 32754| Contact