Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park protects one of the largest tracts of West Indian tropical hardwood hammock in the United States. Spread across 2,421 acres on the northern end of Key Largo in Monroe County, this park shelters more than 80 species of protected plants and animals, including the Key Largo woodrat, Key Largo cotton mouse, and the American crocodile. Established in 1982, the land was saved from a massive condominium development, preserving an irreplaceable fragment of the ecosystem that once covered much of the Upper Keys.

The park’s main draw is its network of nature trails winding through a dense, shaded canopy of mahogany, gumbo-limbo, and poisonwood trees. The half-mile paved trail near the entrance is wheelchair-accessible, while backcountry paths offer quieter exploration deeper into the hammock. Birding is exceptional here — warblers, white-crowned pigeons, and mangrove cuckoos are regularly spotted. Butterfly enthusiasts will find Schaus’ swallowtails and other rare species among the wild tamarind and torchwood.

There are no camping facilities within the park. Visitors looking to stay overnight should check nearby John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park or private campgrounds along the Overseas Highway.

The best time to visit is November through April, when humidity drops and mosquito pressure eases considerably. Summer visits are doable but bring strong repellent — the hammock holds moisture and the bugs can be relentless.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars from over 800 visitor reviews, this is a quiet, uncrowded alternative to the Keys’ busier attractions.

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