If you are itching to get out of the office for a Key West vacation, and want to get to do things outdoors, than choosing to visit a State or National park in the Florida Keys is the perfect idea. The Florida Keys is home to some of the most unique and protected ecosystems in the world, and everyone who comes to see it leaves with more of an appreciation of our planet, and the natural balance it has. Our parks deserve the recognition of hard work put into it to give guests a glance into the local wildlife’s habitat and daily life. Here are a few parks that every visitor to Key West should look at, that also offer great things to do.
Bahia Honda State Park
This award winning state park is definitely a sight for sore eyes. This enchanting park offers one of the most beautiful beaches in Florida and plenty of areas to snorkel and explore. The Bahia Honda is located at the 37th mile marker in Big Pine Key, and has over 500 acres in the park, as well as an offshore island. This park offers snorkeling tours and kayak rentals to explore the waters. Camping areas, lodging cabins, biking, and fishing are also available in the Bahia Honda. This park has given a 4.5 star rating on Trip Advisor, and is a highly rated beach.
The Dry Tortugas National Park
The Dry Tortugasis a bit lesser known as something to do in Key West, mostly because of its remote location. This beautiful park is a national park, and for good reason. The Dry Tortugas is a string of islands about 70 miles of the coast of Key West that is only accessible by planeor boat. These islands are surrounded by wildlife and nature, both in the water and on land, especially since the Dry Tortugas is home to Fort Jefferson. Fort Jefferson has some of the most spectacular snorkeling in the world, as well as a beautiful white and soft-sanded beach. The Dry Tortugas offers all types of things to do such as camping, kayaking, snorkeling and swimming. These islands have really great visibility due to clarity of the water surrounding the island. For more information on the Dry Tortugas National Park, visit www.drytortugasinfo.com.
Fort Zachary Taylor State Park
The Fort Zachary Taylor state park is known for its beach and snorkeling areas as well as military history. This fort was named a national historic landmark in 1973, and is the southernmost park in the U.S. This state park was a functional fort when it was built in 1866, and played a role in the Civil War and the Spanish-American War. This state park has one of the best beaches in Key West, and has plenty of picnic tables to enjoy lunch, and also has a short nature trail and biking trail within the park.
