Key West Au Naturel
On a recent visit to Key West, we sought its natural side - what it looked like before it became a city. And since it's been a city for more than 150 years, it takes a bit of sleuthing to find natural habitats.
Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden
Key West 1.0 milesBoardwalks and footpaths wind through curated plant collections against a backdrop of natural habitats at the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden.
Long Key State Park
Florida Keys 1.4 milesA former coconut plantation and angler's destination, Long Key State Park is now a natural oceanfront outpost in the Florida Keys.
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.
Overseas Heritage Trail, Lower Keys
Florida Keys 38.0 miles38.0 miles. Between Key West and Bahia Honda Key, this segment of the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail crosses many historic railroad bridges along mangrove-lined shores.
Overseas Heritage Trail, Middle Keys
Florida Keys 43.6 miles43.6 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.
Overseas Heritage Trail, Upper Keys
Florida Keys 26.8 miles26.8 miles. Through the most heavily populated part of the Florida Keys, the trail quickly leaves water views behind for tropical forests between residential and commercial areas.
Paradise, Palms, & Mosquitoes
My first exploration on the hiking trails of Marathon lead to thatch palm hammocks: the Curry Hammock Nature Trail at Curry Hammock State Park, and the trails of Crane Point Hammock, including the beautiful Palm Hammock Trail.
Plantation Hammocks Preserve
Islamorada 0.6 milesAdjoining Founders Park on Plantation Key, Plantation Hammocks Preserve showcases some of the Florida Keys most interesting flowers under a generous canopy of well-established tropical trees.
Sombrero Beach
At the southern tip of Marathon, Sombrero Beach offers beachgoers a natural strand and an easy beach walk within sight of the Keys' largest lighthouse.
Sonny McCoy Indigenous Park
Key West 0.5 milesWithin sight of the Atlantic Ocean, Sonny McCoy Indigenous Park is a rare patch of green space in the city of Key West, with native trees and a natural freshwater pond.
Spirit of Pennekamp
Cruising on the Spirit of Pennekamp is how landlubbers - and snorklers uncomfortable with ocean swells - get to experience the living coral reefs of the Florida Keys