The best walks and hikes in Monroe County

A small historical place. It's also interesting that there's still forest to be seen there.

The Curry Hammock Nature Trail is a roughly 2-kilometer-long loop trail through a rare tropical rockland hammock habitat. Dense forest grows on the uneven coral cliffs, home to exotic palm trees, shrubs, and bird species that are otherwise hard to see. 🚶‍♂️ The trail leads along a narrow path through tranquil nature all the way to Florida Bay, where you can enjoy stunning views of the water—especially in the evenings. 🦋 Along the way, you'll encounter butterflies, birds, and sometimes even small lizards. At the same time, you should be careful: the ground is rocky, sturdy footwear is a must, and some plants, like poisonwood, can be unpleasant. ℹ️ The trail doesn't start directly at the park entrance, but at a small parking lot on Bayside (off US-1). There are no restrooms, and mosquito repellent is provided in the summer—so don't forget your insect repellent.

On the north side of the Old 7 Mile Bridge, there's a picnic area with two covered shelters. Fishing is also possible here. There's a parking lot. It's also ideal for continuing on to the Lower Keys.

The Old Seven Mile Bridge is one of the most famous structures in the Florida Keys. It was originally built in the early 20th century as part of the famous Overseas Railroad, which Henry Flagler had built from Miami to Key West. It was later converted into a road bridge before being replaced by the modern parallel bridge for automobile traffic. Today, a section of the old bridge is open to pedestrians, cyclists, and runners. From here, you can enjoy magnificent views of the ocean, the islands, and the new Seven Mile Bridge running parallel to it. The walk to Pigeon Key, a small island with a museum and historic buildings, is particularly popular. There are parking areas and shaded picnic areas at the entrance, ideal for a break before or after your tour. The bridge is a popular place to take a break before or after your tour.

Long Key State Park spans 965 acres, and is a beautiful location with a fascinating history. In the early 1900s, it was a luxurious getaway along Henry Flagler’s railroad to Key West, housing the Long Key Fishing Camp. This camp attracted many notable figures, including celebrities and well-known saltwater anglers like author Zane Grey and several U.S. presidents. Sadly, the facility was destroyed by the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935 and was never rebuilt. Today, Long Key State Park is a popular destination for a wide range of recreational activities, including kayaking, hiking, birdwatching, picnicking, flats fishing, and snorkeling. There are two fantastic hiking trails to explore, and visitors can rent kayaks from the ranger station to paddle along the scenic shoreline to get a closer look at the diverse wildlife in the mangroves in the clear, shallow waters. The park also offers oceanfront, hike-in, tent-only campsites that include a picnic table, grill, hammock stand, and restrooms with cold outdoor showers. The site fee per night is $22 by reservation only and can be made here: reserve.floridastateparks.org or by calling the reservation line at 1-800-326-6521.

Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park, a former quarry, offers a glimpse into the Florida Keys' history. Henry Flagler's Overseas Railroad, built in the early 1900s, relied on its limestone. Later, the quarry yielded polished “keystone,” a decorative limestone unique to this area until the 1960s. The Hurricane Monument in Islamorada, at Mile Marker 82, is constructed from keystone extracted here. The park features several short loop trails throughout the grounds, where you can view the exposed fossilized coral reefs and remnants of the original quarry equipment. There is a drinking fountain, restrooms, and a lovely bench, perfect for a place to take a break under a canopy of hammock trees. The park is open daily from 8 am until sundown, with a $2.50 entrance fee. The visitor center operates Thursday–Monday, 8 am to 5 pm.

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.

You can swim here at high tide and kite surfers are also present.