Managed by the Village of Islamorada, Key Tree Cactus Preserve was acquired with the intention of conserving rare ecosystems that are home to the preserve’s namesake species.
In addition to a small network of well-maintained paths within the rockland hammock, an accessible 0.2-mile brick walkway and boardwalk lead out to a kayak launch among the mangroves.
The preserve is a welcome rest stop along the Overseas Heritage Trail, a multi-use pathway running over 100 miles from Key West to Key Largo.
Several benches are located along the pathways, and a water fountain / bottle filler provides fresh, cool water at the trailhead.
Elevated path among karst featuresResources
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Overview
Location: Islamorada
Length: 0.6 miles
Trailhead: 24.908139, -80.647056
Address: 80460 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada
Fees: Free
Restrooms: At the trailhead
Land manager: Village of Islamorada
Phone: 305-852-6933
Open 8 AM to sunset.
Directions
The preserve is at MM 80.5 along the bay side of the Overseas Highway (US 1) on Upper Matecumbe Key. Southbound, look for the crushed shell parking area behind a chain link fence after passing First Horizon Bank.
Hike
Near the entrance to the preserve, a kiosk displays information about the property along with a map showing locations of various amenities.
Begin your hike at an opening in the woods to the right of the kiosk, following a rocky pathway into the densely shaded hammock.
Tropical hardwood hammockLeaves and gravel crunch underfoot on a wide corridor surrounded with an impressive variety of native plants, gumbo limbo recognizable due to its unusual peeling bark.
Traversing a rugged forest floor, the trail winds around craggy limestone features pitted with miniature caves, using a fence to navigate around one markedly prominent depression.
>> Exposed limestoneReaching an intersection of trails in a tenth of a mile, stay straight as the land begins descending towards a distinct boundary between habitats.
Hammock gives way to mangrove forest near the high tide mark. A pair of benches sit at the end of the trail.
Be cautious of the poisonwood trees nearby and avoid touching them or sitting under them if it is raining.
Benches at the ecotoneHeading back into the hammock, check the underbrush alongside the path, looking for small clearings on rocky surfaces where the key tree cactus prefers to grow.
Turn right at the trail junction, following the corridor to the end where it opens to a set of covered picnic tables next to a paved walkway.
Key tree cactusFollow the brick path towards Florida Bay as it traces the property line to a robust boardwalk leading out over a dense stand of mangroves.
A built-in bench offers a spot to rest among the dense vegetation of this salty tropical forest.
Boardwalk through the mangrovesAt the end of the boardwalk, a floating dock drops down to the kayak launch, situated along a canal filled with cloudy azure water.
From this point, follow the paved pathway for 0.2 miles to return to the parking area.
Kayak launchTrail Map
Explore More!
Video
Hiking Key Tree Cactus Preserve
Nearby Adventures
Overseas Heritage Trail, Middle Keys 43.6 miles. With the most island-hopping of the ride, the middle portion of the Florida Keys delights with its aquamarine waters and coconut palms, a very tropical vibe.
Green Turtle Hammock Nature Preserve On a wild sliver of Upper Matecumbe Key, footpaths wind through a rockland tropical hammock where a rocky crevice emits sulfur fumes and signs warn of crocodiles. 
Indian Key Historic State Park On an island visible from the causeway between Lower and Upper Matecumbe Keys, walk into the past to discover the birthplace of Dade County.
Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park Wrapped in a dense blanket of mosquitoes, Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park is one of the United States' most significant botanical treasures, a virgin tropical forest home to more than a thousand lignum vitae trees.
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