Hiking in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

Trying to find the best in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park ? Bivy has great hiking, biking, paddling, climbing, skiing, riding and more, with hand-curated trail maps, as well as detailed driving directions.

1

Florida, Monroe County

01 :20 hrs
3.4 mi
- ft
SK I

John Pennekamp State Park offers miles and miles of water trails that explore the area of natural mangrove wilderness. The state park has kayak launch site and marked trails that visitors can use to navigate around the park. The state park also has boat rentals available if needed. There is a visitor center at the park which is a good place to stop and learn more about the habitats and wildlife in the area before setting out. There are a few sections of paddling trail in busier channels with motorboat traffic so be careful and watch out for watercraft when paddling in these areas.

2

Florida, Monroe County

00 :03 hrs
0.2 mi
0.25529987 ft
Easy

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park was the first undersea park in the United States and was established to preserve a portion of the only living coral reef in the continental USA. The park also offers excellent opportunity for experiencing other diverse habitats and abundant wildlife. The state park campground consists of 47 sites for both tents and RVs (up to 62 feet max length), all equipped with full hookups, picnic tables, and grills. There are flush restrooms with hot showers. Reservations are available and must be made a day in advance. Sites that are not reserved will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. The cost per night is $36.

3

Florida, Monroe County

00 :26 hrs
1.3 mi
0.824062 ft
Easy

This campground and RV park is located on the edge of a coral reef in Key Largo and offers visitors to the area with comfortable and convenient accommodations right by the water. The area offers excellent kayaking and fishing, scuba diving, and snorkeling. The campground offers a variety of site options include tents sites with and without electric hookups and RV sites with full hookups. There are also some tent sites and RV sites that include water views. The amenities include restrooms with showers, laundry facilities, Wi-Fi hot spot, playground, heated swimming pool, access to beaches, clubhouse, store, and more. Rates per night vary depending on site selection but start at $40. Contact the campground directly by phone or online to make reservations and check availability.

4

Florida, Monroe County

00 :48 hrs
2.4 mi
1.9999882 ft
Moderate

This state park is home to one of the largest tracts of West Indian tropical hardwood hammock in all of the United State and is a great place for viewing rare plant species and a wide variety of wildlife. A self-guided tour along the nature trail provides lots of information about the history and natural features of the area. The trails are mostly unpaved with a short section of paved trail that is fully accessible.

5

Florida, Monroe County

00 :06 hrs
0.3 mi
- ft
Easy

This short, fully accessible trail travels along a boardwalk that passes through a mangrove tunnel in one of Florida's most well-known state parks. The hike is a great option for all skill levels and is a good activity to do before or after exploring the reef by glass bottom boat or paddling the state park's clear waters. Hiking the trail in the winter is best as the remainder of the year Mosquitos are a real nuisance.

6

Florida, Monroe County

02 :33 hrs
6.4 mi
- ft
SK II

This paddling route leads through a quiet mangrove habitat that is known for its manatee sightings during the winter and early spring. The trip starts from the bayside of Key Largo and heads west to Dusenbury Creek. The boat traffic in the area can be busy at times so pay close attention to the other watercraft on the water. The launch site for this trip is Florida Bay Outfitters which allows launch access to the area as well as kayak rentals.