Lignumvitae

Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park

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

Hours

8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday through Monday

Fees

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

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Location

77200 Overseas Highway
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.

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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 currently unavailable; however, there is a self-guided tour brochure that visitors can use to learn about the home and other features that dot the lawn.

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

Island Boat Tour Operators

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 self-guided 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 is 10,000 acres of paddling paradise. Explore the mangrove creeks of lower Matecumbe or paddle over to 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. Self-guided tours transport visitors back in time to experience 1930s island living.

People Make the Parks

Park Ranger Garin Nopp standing in front of greenery

Staff Spotlight

A commercial angler turned park ranger, Garin is our go-to repairman.
Jen Britt helps to collect trash at the annual cleanup event.

Volunteer Spotlight

As native Floridian, volunteer Jen cares deeply about the ocean. Jen is a valued volunteer who helps maintain the Islamorada Area State Parks.
Friends logo

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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