Cedar Key Museum State Park sits on 19 acres along Florida’s Gulf Coast in the small fishing village of Cedar Key, Levy County. Established in 1960, this compact park tells the story of one of Florida’s most historically rich coastal communities — a place where the timber industry, pencil manufacturing, and fiber brush trade once thrived before giving way to the clamming and tourism economy visitors find today.

The park centers on the former home and collection of St. Clair Whitman, a Cedar Key resident who spent decades gathering Native American artifacts, seashells, and historical objects tied to the region’s past. Walking the interpretive trail, you’ll find exhibits on the Timucuan people who first inhabited the area, the role Cedar Key played as a Civil War supply point, and the rise and fall of its pencil cedar forests. It’s a surprisingly rich story for such a small place.

Outside, a short nature trail winds through coastal hammock draped in Spanish moss, with views across the salt marshes toward the Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge islands. Birding is excellent here — roseate spoonbills, ospreys, and great blue herons are regular visitors. The trail is flat and easy, suitable for all ages.

The best time to visit is October through April, when humidity drops and migratory birds fill the marshes. Summer brings heat, mosquitoes, and afternoon thunderstorms. The park does not offer camping, but nearby Shell Mound and Manatee Springs State Park both have campgrounds within a short drive.

Rated 4.2 out of 5 across 552 reviews, Cedar Key Museum State Park rewards visitors who appreciate local history and quiet coastal landscapes over crowded attractions.

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