Experiences & Amenities

The park is a designated location on the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail and provides an exceptional opportunity for birding.

Wading and shorebirds can be found year-round, while migratory birds can be seen seasonally. Herons, egrets and ibis are common. Lucky visitors may find a white-crowned pigeon or roseate spoonbill.

Located in the Florida Keys, the park's primitive tent campsites sit along the Atlantic Ocean. Each tent site comes equipped with a picnic table, grill and hammock stand; there are no electric or water hookups. Restrooms with cold outdoor showers are available to campers. Well-behaved pets are welcome in the campground. Please call the park for details.

Some of the best sport fishing in the Florida Keys is popular year-round. All fishing within the park must conform to regulations concerning size, number, method of capture and season. 

• A fishing license may be required. More information is available at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s website, Fishing in Florida.

Geocaching is an outdoor game using hand-held global positioning systems (GPS) devices. It's effectively an inexpensive, interactive, high-tech treasure hunt that's a great way to learn geography. Participants use location coordinates to find caches. Some caches are easy to find; others are more difficult.

The biggest reward is the thrill of the search and the discovery of a place where you have never been. Geocaching should have minimal impact to the environment and conscientious land-use ethics should be followed.

• Operation Recreation Geotour

The park offers two land-based nature trails for visitors to explore.

• The Golden Orb Trail, named after a native spider, is a leisurely 1.1-mile walk through various plant communities.
• The Layton Trail is located on the bayside of the park with short interconnecting trails and overlooks of Florida Bay.

Shallow waters provide an excellent opportunity for paddling and exploration along Long Key State Park’s natural shoreline.

• Kayaks are available for rent from the ranger station.
• The cost is $17.50 for a single and $21.50 for a double for two hours. There are no boat ramps at the park.
• Visitors requiring the need for a trailer-accessible boat ramp need to contact local marinas.

A waterside picnic area features covered pavilions with tables.

Snorkeling is available in designated areas. The water in the park is generally shallow and the bottom covered with seagrass.

The park has minimal light pollution and is an excellent place for viewing the night sky. 

Swimming is available in designated areas. In general, the water is shallow and the currents and waves gentle.

The park offers two land-based nature trails for visitors to explore.

• The Golden Orb Trail, named after a native spider, is a leisurely 1.1-mile walk through various plant communities.
• The Layton Trail is located on the bayside of the park with short interconnecting trails and overlooks of Florida Bay.

Shoreline visitors occasionally observe horseshoe crabs, mullet, snapper and sea stars. Sportfish include bonefish and redfish in our shallow grass flats. Kayakers have seen loggerhead and green sea turtles during a paddle.