Lignumvitae

Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park

A tropical island hideaway covered in hardwood hammock and surrounded by turquoise waters

Hours

8 a.m.  to 5 p.m. Thursday through Monday

Fees

$2.50 per person visitors fee, $2 per person tour fee

Location

77200 Overseas Hwy
Islamorada FL 33036

Get directions

Contact Info

305-664-2540

Welcome to Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park

The virgin tropical hardwood hammock that thrives on this island was once common on most of Florida's Upper Keys; most of these forests have been lost to development on other islands.

Park Admission - Bicycle & Pedestrian

In 1919, William J. Matheson, a wealthy Miami chemist, bought this tiny island and built a caretaker's home with a windmill for electricity and a cistern for rainwater. Today, his hideaway is the visitor center for this island forest.

Ranger-guided tours are given December through April. Tours are available at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Friday through Sunday.

Lignumvitae Key is accessible by boat or kayak only.  Boat and kayak rentals are available through several local vendors:

Island Boat Tour Operators

  • Seamonkeys Watersports, 305-664-4555
  • KeyZ Charters at Robbie’s Marina, 305-393-1394
  • Easy Adventure Boat Tours, 305-451-8393
  • Theater of the Sea - Adventure and Snorkel Cruise, 305-664-2431

Kayak Rental Providers

Plan Your Visit

Picture of Lu Dodson Park Manager of Indian Key
Learn

Manager's Message

Accessible only by boat, Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park is place of wonders, dense with endangered plants, protected insects and birds as well as being the location of the historic Matheson home, mysterious ruins and Native American cultural sites.
Trail leading into the hardwood hammock on Lignumvitae Key
Learn

Lignumvitae Key Island Tour

Experience island living 1930s style. Take a guided ranger tour of the historic Matheson house and hardwood hammock.
Kayaking in a Mangrove Channel at Lignumvitae Key State Park
Learn

Kayaking Lignumvitae Key

Lignumvitae Key State is 10,000 acres of paddlers paradise. Explore the mangrove creeks of lower Matecumbe or paddle over to the Lignumvitae Key for a fun day filled with adventure.

Experiences

Boat Tours
Boat Tours
Boating
Boating
Fishing
Fishing
Paddling
Paddling
Snorkeling
Snorkeling
Swimming
Swimming
Tours
Tours

Amenities

Accessible Amenities
Accessible Amenities
Historic Site
Historic Site
Visitor Center
Visitor Center

Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park Photo Gallery

Matheson House Interior at Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park
Lignumvitae
Matheson House
Rock Wall at Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park
Crocodile Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park
A cannon sits by a tree on the lawn of the Matheson House.
Old truck in the yard of the Matheson House
view from the house showing the coconut palms, walkway and blue water.
Meadow of Turtle Grass
Learn

Seagrass Ecosystem of Lignumvitae Key

Have you ever heard the saying "Brown, brown, run aground”? Shallow water in the nearshore environments of the Florida Keys can look brown due to light reflecting off a substrate of seagrass. While the seagrass flats may not look like much to the casual observer, seagrass ecosystems have been listed as some of the most productive in the world and are vital to the Florida Keys ecosystem.
Matheson House and Cistern
Learn

Historic Home on Lignumvitae Key

Built in 1919 by William J. Matheson, this two-story historic home is the showpiece of Lignumvitae Key State Park. Ranger led tours transport visitors back in time to experience 1930’s island living.

People Make the Parks

Photo of Assistant Park Manager Kim Metzger

Staff Spotlight

Assistant Park Manager Kim Metzger lives and works in an island paradise. Kim works hard to keep the four State Parks in the Islamorada area in tip-top shape.
Jen Britt helps to collect trash at the annual cleanup event.

Volunteer Spotlight

As native Floridian, Volunteer Jen Britt cares deeply about the ocean. Jen is a valued volunteer who helps to maintain the islands of the Islamorada Area State Parks.
Friends Members at the Holiday Booth

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:

Designated Greenway

Park Map

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