Park Summary for Print - Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park

Park visitors viewing sunset from beach area as boats pass in the distance.

Welcome to Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park

Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1973, Florida's southernmost state park is popular for recreation, as well as U.S. military history. The fort was one of a series built in the mid-1800s to defend the nation's southeastern coastline. Completed in 1866, Fort Zachary Taylor played important roles in the Civil War and Spanish-American War. A beautiful beach at the southern end of the park provides opportunities for picnicking, swimming, snorkeling, and fishing. Visitors can also enjoy a short nature trail and bicycling within the park. A refreshment stand at the beach offers snacks, cold beverages, beach sundries, and souvenirs. Guided tours of the fort are available daily. Located in Key West at the end of Southard Street on Truman Annex.

Contact the Florida Park Service Information Center for general inquiries.
For Information about Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, please call 305-292-6713.

Hours of Operation

Florida state parks are open from 8 a.m. until sundown 365 days a year.

Driving Directions

Fort Zachary Taylor is located at the end of Southard Street on Truman Annex in Key West.

Park Fees

Admission Fees:

$6.00* per vehicle. Limit 2-8 people per vehicle.

$2.00* Pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in vehicle with holder of Annual Individual Entrance Pass.

$4.00* Single-occupant vehicle or Motorcycle.

* Plus $.50 per person Monroe County Surcharge.

Activities at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park

	Beaches The beach at Fort Zachary Taylor has recently received new sand and will soon be receiving additional plantings to add to the tropical setting found at the fort. It is undisputed that the beach at Fort Taylor is the best in Key West. Other beaches in Key West and the Florida Keys are very shallow and can be somewhat stagnate. The beach at Fort Taylor has excellent water flow, depth, and clarity. Live corals, and numerous tropical fish, can be seen within the swimming area. Fort Taylor is ideally situated where the Gulf meets the Atlantic. Come enjoy paradise at the southernmost beach in the continental United States.
	Bicycling Bicycles are welcome at Fort Zachary Taylor. A bicycle trail around the moat, and along the shipping channel, provides an excellent short ride through the significant park features. Due to the number of bicyclist that visit the park, and in attempt to preserve the aesthetics of this island paradise, bicycles are restricted from the picnic areas and the beach. Bike racks are provided at several locations within the park for your convenience.
	Concessions The park's concession offers a variety of food and beverage as well as a gift shop. Umbrellas, beach chairs, and snorkel gear are available for rent. Enjoy the great view and pleasant setting of the concession deck as you enjoy your meal. The concession can also handle your wedding plans and group or family event. Be sure to visit their web site at FortZacharyTaylor.com
	Facilities The Park has restroom facilities at the beach area and near the entrance to the fort. All of the facilities are accessible to all.
	Fishing They don’t call it fishing for nothing! Try your luck at catching something along the entrance to the Key West Harbor. The main ship channel is approximately 33-feet deep and provides the angler with access to a variety of saltwater fish. If you just end up 'fishing,' you will at least have an extraordinary view and can watch the boats come and go as you enjoy your day. Fishing at the end of the day can be even more enjoyable, for the park boasts the best place to in Key West to view the sunset. Plus, you will see all the schooners and other tour boats stop just off-shore of the park to catch the sun dropping on the horizon. Do you need a Fishing License?
	Guided Tours Guided tours of historic Fort Taylor are offered daily at 12:00 Noon and 2:00 p.m. Have a ranger explain how Fort Taylor shortened the Civil war and why the fort was reduced from three stories to one. A wealth of history and information are available during the guided tours. If you can't not make the guided tour, grab a self-guide and dive into the the fascinating history of Fort Zachary Taylor.
	Interpretive Exhibits Throughout the park, visitors will find several interpretive exhibits, addressing various natural resource topics and park activities. Take a walk on one of our nature trails to learn more about native plants.
	Nature Trails There are two short trails in the park; the Sand Hog Trail, located near the beach, loops through an area of native trees and vegetation typically found along the coast in the Florida Keys. Several interpretive plaques identify various plants and provide interesting information that you may not know. The other trail, Fort View Trail, takes you through a small section of tropical hammock that overlooks the fort and moat. The native trees provide essential food and habitat needed for many of the migratory bird species that frequent this area. Fort Taylor is the last stop for many of these species that get the rest and re-nourishment needed before continuing their migratory journey. Birds that have never before been seen in the United States, have been spotted at Fort Taylor and usually along the Fort View Trail.
	Picnicking Shaded picnic areas are available for visitors to enjoy their catch of the day. These areas include tables and grills.
	Scuba Diving The waters off Fort Taylor offer one of the best beach dives available in the Florida Keys. Moderate depths of up to 20 feet and excellent water quality provide an opportunity to view both hard and soft corals as well as numerous species of tropical fish. Don't be surprised if you see giant grouper, huge tarpon or schools of baitfish. Since the park is located right where the Gulf meets the Atlantic, you never know what you may see. It is definitely worth checking out.
	Showers There are two areas in the park that have outdoor rinse showers. These showers are provided just to rinse the sand and salt off of you. Please do not pollute the waters. No soap or shampoo is permitted.
	Snorkeling This may be the best snorkel experience you ever have! Just off the beach you will see numerous fish and coral. Since water conditions dictate visibility, please call ahead and park staff will give you the daily conditions. Winds and waves can reduce visibility greatly. Conditions can improve overnight so watch the weather and call ahead.
	Swimming Nothing like swimming at Florida's southernmost state park. Water quality is excellent and conditions are usually favorable for a swim at Fort Taylor. Occasionally, there are marine creatures present that you need to be aware of. Just remember to always be careful, be aware of your surroundings, be safe and, most of all, have fun!
	Wildlife Viewing Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park is an excellent place for the birding enthusiast. Numerous birds stop to rest and get re-nourished at Fort Taylor during the spring and winter migration. The Loggerhead King Bird, which had never been sighted in the United States, made a visit to Fort Taylor in 2006 and was documented by the Audubon Society. Numerous birds of prey, shorebirds, frigate birds and other unusual and rare bird sighting have been made at Fort Taylor. Fort Taylor is the last stop for many bird species on their migration to and from Cuba and other Caribbean islands. The park is the largest green space in Key West and is on the southern most tip of the continental United States. Migrating birds are most frequently sighted in the tropical hammock area. Many of the plants in the tropical hammock are critical for the migrating birds. The native plants provide the food required for their survival on their long journey. Fort Taylor is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail. A list of all birds sighted at Fort Taylor is available upon request.

Special Events for Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park

OFFSHORE POWERBOAT RACES
Date: November 10-15, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Description: The park is a prime location for spectators to watch the Super Boat International Key West Championship races which are held in the waters off Key West every November. Super Boat International Racing Series.
Fees: Free with park admission
Contact: (305) 292-6850
PIRATES IN PARADISE FESTIVAL
Date: December 3-7, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Description: Fort Taylor becomes the site of the 'Thieves’ Market & Historical Encampment' during the Pirates in Paradise Festival. This event features living history pirate encampments, period clothing, arts and crafts, pirate treasure and black powder weapons demonstrations, careening camp, fight circles, and kid’s games. Live entertainment includes strolling minstrels and combative stuntmen. Pirates in Paradise.
Fees: $6/adults and $4/children under 12 - plus park admission
Contact: (305) 304-8041
CIVIL WAR HERITAGE DAYS
Date: February 25-28, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Description: Both entertaining and educational, Civil War Heritage Days offers visitors a glimpse of what life was like at Fort Taylor in the 1860s. Over 100 re-enactors converge to present living history programs including artillery demonstrations, campsite visits, a blockade runner trial, sea battles, land skirmishes, and other performances.
Fees: TBA
Contact: (305) 292-6850

Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park Ranger Programs

FORT TOURS
Daily, 12 & 2 PM
Join a park ranger for a guided tour of Fort Zachary Taylor. Learn about the history and importance of this Civil War era fort that was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1973.

Participation Requirements

Call (305) 292-6713 for more details.

Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park History

Construction of the fort began in 1845, shortly after Florida became a state. In 1850, the fort was named after U.S. President Zachary Taylor, who died in office earlier that year. Throughout the 1850s, construction on Fort Taylor was slow. Yellow fever, shortages of material and men, remoteness and hurricanes had slowed down progress.

When the Civil War broke out in 1861, Capt. John Brannan occupied the fort, placing it in Union hands. Key West was an important outpost for the Union because numerous blockade-running ships were detained at Key West harbor and guarded by Fort Taylor's cannons. The 10-inch Rodman and Columbiad cannons at the fort had a range of three miles. This was an impressive deterrent to the Confederate navy, preventing them from attempting to take the fort or the island of Key West.

Proving to be a severe loss for the South, Fort Taylor remained in Union hands throughout the Civil War. By the time the three-story fort was finally finished in 1866 (21 years after it was begun), there were many impressive features included. Items such as sanitary facilities flushed by the tide and a desalination plant which produced drinking water from the sea were available as early as 1861. A total of 140 guns and a large supply of ammunition were on hand to secure the fort.

In the years that followed, Fort Taylor was again used during the Spanish-American War. In 1898, in an effort to modernize the fort, the top levels were cut down to install newer weapons. Further remodeling also included the addition of Battery Osceola and Battery Adair on the inside of the fort.

With the coming of the 20th century, more sophisticated weapons and eventually radar and other devices took the place of guns. By 1947, the Army turned Fort Taylor over to the Navy to maintain.

Beginning in 1968, through the tireless efforts of volunteers, excavations for old armaments in the gun rooms uncovered a number of guns and ammunition from Civil War times. This represents only a fraction of the buried arsenal, which is the largest collection of Civil War cannons in the U.S. In recognition of this, Fort Taylor was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. Two years later, the fort was designated a National Historic Landmark.

Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park Volunteer Information

Volunteers can do many things -- greet visitors, conduct tours, help rangers remove exotic plants or maintain the natural beauty of a beach, waterway or trail.