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State parks
State parks are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day. Admission to most parks is $3.25 per carload. Some parks are $4.00 per carload. There may be additional fees for camping, tours and museum entrances. Contact the individual park in advance for more information. Pets are generally welcome in Florida’s state parks in designated areas if they are kept on a leash.
Bahia Honda State Park
36850 Overseas Hwy., Big Pine Key; 305-872-3897. Bahia Honda State Park is the home to many rare and unusual creatures, including marine plant and animal species of Caribbean origin. Activities available include beachside picnicking with shaded tables and grills, guided walks along nature trails, three duplex cabins complete with linens and utensils, camping, fishing, boating and boat tours. Grocery items, marine supplies and diving equipment rentals are available in the concession building.
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Recreation Area
1200 S. Crandon Blvd., Key Biscayne; 305-361-5811. With its hazardous sandbars and submerged reefs, the Florida Keys were once the site of hundreds of shipwrecks. To remedy this, the Cape Florida lighthouse was built in 1825 to guide sailors through the treacherous waters. Today, the structure stands as the centerpiece of the 415-acre Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Recreation Area. Fishing, picnic tables, covered pavilions, barbecue grills, bike paths, recreational equipment rental and a restaurant, The Lighthouse Cafe, are all available to park visitors.
Fort Zachary Taylor State Historic Site
Seventh Street on Truman Annex, west of Mile Marker 0, Key West; 305-292-6713. Fort Zachary Taylor was constructed in 1836 to defend the southern coast of the United States from invasion. Today, the historic site houses the largest collection of Civil War armament in the U.S. Visitors can enjoy swimming, snorkeling, fishing, a shaded picnic area and a refreshment concession. The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Ranger-guided tours are given at noon and 2 p.m. every day. Gates open at 8 a.m. and close at sunset.
Hugh Taylor Birch State Recreation Area
3109 E. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 564-4521. This 180-acre park offers boating, fishing, swimming, picnic areas, nature trails and camping facilities. Canoes are available for rental, and a 1.7-mile exercise course for hikers and runners circles the park.
Indian Key State Historical Site
U.S. 1 at Mile Marker 78.5, Islamorada; 305-664-4815. Indian Key’s colorful past includes all the makings of a good novel: hostile Indian tribes, shipwrecks, treasure-filled merchant vessels and pirate attacks. Now uninhabited, visitors are invited to revel in the days of yore. An observation tower, boat dock, shelter and nature trails are available. Three-hour boat tours to Indian Key depart Indian Key Fill on U.S 1 at 8:30 a.m. Thursday through Monday. The tour fee is $7 for adults and $3 for children under 12. Also at the island is the Lignumvitae Key State Botanical Site, which is home to many trees native to tropical forests. One-hour guided walks are given at 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Thursday through Monday. The botanical site is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
U.S. 1, Mile Marker 102.5, Key Largo; 305-451-1202. The first underwater state park in the U.S., John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park covers about 70 nautical square miles of coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangrove swamps. The park also offers swimming, snorkeling, picnic areas, camping, fishing and boat ramp access. Glassbottom boat tours, a snorkeling tour, scuba lessons and tours. Boat rentals are available.
John D. MacArthur Beach State Park
10900 State Road A1A, North Palm Beach; 561-624-6950. MacArthur Beach is a nature-lovers paradise. It is the home of herons, brown pelicans, ibis, sea lavender, beach star, strangler figs and mangrove communities. The beach is also a prime nesting area for loggerhead, green and leather-back turtles. Picnic areas, snorkeling, swimming, fishing, nature trails and a visitor center are available at the park.
John U. Lloyd Beach State Recreation Area
6503 N. Ocean Dr., Dania; 967-1297. This 244-acre park offers fishing, surf casting, canoeing, swimming, nature study, boating and picnic areas to its visitors. A boat ramp is also available on the Intracoastal Waterway.
Jonathan Dickinson State Park
16450 SE Federal Hwy. (U.S. 1), south of Hobe Sound; 561-546-2771. This 11,300-acre park offers two camping areas, fishing, boating, hiking, bicycling and horseback riding trails to its visitors. Cabin and canoe rentals are also available.
Long Key State Recreational Area
67400 Overseas Highway at Mile Marker 67.5; 305-664-4815. Long Key is the site of ancient coral reefs that were formed 100,000 years ago. Visitors to the recreational area can enjoy snorkeling around the reefs, as well as camping, boating, canoeing, fishing, swimming, hiking and picnicking.
Oleta River State Recreation Area
3400 NE 163rd St., North Miami; 305-919-1846. An oasis in the urban jungle of North Miami, Oleta River State Recreational Area offers 14 « primitive » cabins (with air conditioning, fire circle, picnic table, porch swing and view of waters and woods); mountain bike system; refuge for variety of wildlife including porpoises, endangered Florida manatees and birdlife. Also canoe trails, a sandy swimming beach, shaded picnic pavilions and a fishing pier.
Sebastian Inlet State Recreation Area
9700 S. State Road A1A, Melbourne Beach; 407-984-4852. This 739-acre park reaches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Indian River. Three miles of ocean beach are designated for swimming, surfing, snorkeling and scuba diving. Fifty-one campsites with electricity and water overlook the Inlet area. A museum houses the remnants of a Spanish fleet, laden with gold and silver, before it was wrecked by a hurricane. A concession, which sells breakfast and lunch daily, as well as camping and fishing supplies, is located in the park. Canoe and kayak rentals are also available.