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Safety Updates

Florida State Parks will follow local orders requiring facial coverings or masks to provide for staff and visitor safety. These requirements vary from area to area. Our main priority is the safety of our guests and staff. We will continue to review operations on a daily basis and make additional operational changes as may be deemed necessary for protection of public health. Please review individual park pages for specific information for each location.

View details about online payments, park and campground closures, park programs/events and facial coverings.

Limited Visitation at this Park

Effective Dec. 23, 2020: Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park is open Thursday through Sunday for day use activities (see hours of operation and fee information below). Due to local orders, facial coverings or masks are required inside buildings for staff and visitor safety. The beach and trails are available. The concession is closed. Restroom availability may be limited. All other park facilities are closed. Visitors are expected to maintain distances of at least six feet apart.

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Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park

Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park

Step back in time and explore the former quarry

Hours

Park is open Thursday through Sunday; closed Monday through Wednesday

See all hours

Fees

$2.50 per person

See all fees

Location

84900 Overseas Highway
Islamorada FL 33036

Get directions

Contact Info

305-664-2540

Park Menu

  • Hours & Fees
  • Experiences & Amenities
  • History
Download Park Map

Welcome to Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park

Formed of Key Largo limestone, or fossilized coral, this land was sold to the Florida East Coast Railroad, which used the stone to build Henry Flagler's Overseas Railroad in the early 1900s.

Park Admission - Bicycle & Pedestrian

After the railroad was built, the quarry was used until the 1960s to produce exquisite pieces of decorative stone called Keystone.

Today, visitors can walk along 8-foot-high quarry walls to see cross sections of the ancient coral and learn about the quarry and its operation, an important part of Florida's 20th-century history. Samples of the quarry machinery are preserved at the park.

Visitors can enjoy the natural beauty of this island while strolling five short self-guided trails. Picnic tables are available.

The visitor center, which is currently closed, features educational exhibits about the history of this site when open. The park is located at Mile Marker 84.9 on Windley Key near Islamorada.

Plan Your Visit

Picture of Lu Dodson Park Manager of Indian Key
Learn

Manager's Message

Discover the coral reef of old, the history of the Flagler Railroad, and the Overseas Highway at Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park. Enjoy a self-guided shaded walk on our trails through a tropical hardwood hammock or join a ranger-guided tour December through April.
White Crowned Pigeon in a Short leaf fig tree.
Learn

Birding at Windley Key

Windley Key offers bird-watchers a unique experience throughout the year. It's an annual stopping point for a host of migrants pausing to rest or feed before or after crossing the Gulf of Mexico in the spring and fall.
Trail guide for Windley Key
Learn

Tour Windley Key State Park

In the heart of Islamorada, lies 1.2 miles of trails that wind through a fossilized reef, hardwood hammock and mangrove fringe community.

Experiences

Birding
Birding
Hiking
Hiking
Picnicking
Picnicking
Tours
Tours
Walking and Running
Walking and Running
Wildlife Viewing
Wildlife Viewing

Amenities

Accessible Amenities
Accessible Amenities
Historic Site
Historic Site
Interpretive Exhibit
Interpretive Exhibit
Meetings and Retreats
Meetings and Retreats
Parking
Parking
Restroom Facilities
Restroom Facilities
Visitor Center
Visitor Center

Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park Photo Gallery

A view of the channeling machine and the Windley Quarry
Action Trackchair available to checkout from the Education Center
Education Center at Windley Key overlooks the Windley Rock Quarry
Visitor's Center
Walking the nature trail
picnic tables in th e Flagler Quarry at Windely Key
Historic Machine
a fallen log alongside the nature trail with a shelf fungus growing on it.
FGS Designation
Learn

Geology of Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park

The Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park provides a beautiful exposure of a geological unit known as the Key Largo Limestone.  Fossil corals and other ancient marine life are preserved in these rocks and record a unique part of Florida’s geologic history.
Drilling at Windley Key
Learn

History of Windley Key

Windley Key is best known for its important role in the construction of Henry Flagler’s Overseas Railroad, supplying the keystone fill for the bed of the railroad.

People Make the Parks

Ranger Matt Emerson on a boat in front of Lignumvitae Key

Staff Spotlight, Matt Emerson

After retiring from the Army, Matt finds joy in taking care of the beautiful State Parks in the Islamorada Area.
volunteer Eileen Sylvester at educational booth

Volunteer Spotlight

A volunteer for the Florida State Parks since 1993, Eileen enjoys making friends in the organization and giving her time to help the parks.
Friends of the Islamorada Area State Parks pose by a booth at the Holiday Festival

Friends of the Islamorada Area State Parks

Friends Groups meet the critical needs of individual parks and the system of state parks. They share one thing in common – passion for parks.

This Park is Recognized by:

State Geological Site

Park Map

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Florida State Parks

Main Menu

  • Plan your visit
    • Accessibility
    • FAQs
    • Fees
    • Rules & Regulations
    • Camping & Lodging
    • Outdoor Florida
  • Find a Park
  • Learn
    • Newsletter
  • Resources
  • Experiences & Amenities
    • Educational Opportunities
    • Programs
    • Research & Collecting
  • Events
  • Get Involved
    • Corporate Partners
    • Doing Business with Parks
    • Work for Us

Have Questions?

Contact the Statewide Information Line:
(850) 245-2157

Or send an email to:
FSP.Feedback@FloridaDEP.gov

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