A drive through the Florida Keys will bring you to find/see plenty of nature... obvious ones like a…read morebunch of state parks (Bahia Honda State Park, Curry Hammock State Park, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and Dagny Johnson Hammock Botanical State Park); and there are a rather large number of natural places to go for hikes, bike rides, fishing... many that are unknown to visitors (you need a local to share the secrets); but a handful of hidden gems are right here in Key West.... Little Hamaca is a great one. Most locals (and some tourists) know there are protected, native habitats made up of salt flats and mangroves around three sides of the airport but it's surprising how many don't know there is a section on the north side of the airport that is a tropical hammock (an area that is an important part of an ecosystem that is an elevated area slightly above the wetlands that support trees and wildlife that may not survive otherwise). It can be challenging to locate.... do not attempt to visit directly from South Roosevelt; you must access the area from Flagler and definitely follow a GPS. It's an interesting drive and don't stop, thinking you arrived, at the first paved parking stall and what appears to be a nature walk with a covered canopy providing nature information (that's Fran Ford White Crowned Pigeon Park). Go well beyond Fran Ford and once you take the bend in the road, there is a hard to notice, dirt/rock parking lot... Once you park, there is a raised, wood boardwalk; and ironically the parking lot has a solid, concrete handicap parking stall and access to the boardwalk (so the park/trail are handicap accessible... thumbs up to the City of Key West for this). Roughly the first half of the trail is wood planks with metal rails; but at some point the trail continues through the dirt/rock/natural growth. The trail remains clear but no wheelchair accessible at this point. It's really a lovely area... home to numerous wildlife like raccoons, squirrels, crabs, snails, butterflies, reptiles, spiders and a variety of birds (including the endangered white-crowned pigeon, the namesake of the park/trail down the road from Little Hamaca Park. There may also be crocodiles as the warning signage at the trailhead states... If you travel far enough along the dirt trail, then another boardwalk begins and it eventually ends at the Riveria Canal... it's like a slight reward for your hard work (not really that hard though). If you're not familiar with Riveria Canal, it's a canal that is lined with residential properties on the far side from the hammock and salt flats.

Little Hamaca Park is a quiet, tucked-away spot in Key West, perfect for those who enjoy nature and…read moresolitude. The trails go through the mangroves and offer a peaceful escape from the busier parts of the island. It's a great place for birdwatching (there were people all over the place doing this) or simply taking a quiet walk near the salt pond. However, parking is limited, so plan accordingly. There are no public restrooms, which is inconvenient for longer visits. The trails can also get muddy after rain, so it's best to go during dry weather or earlier in the day when it's cooler. If you go towards dusk or dawn you absolutely 100% will need bug spray.

All throughout the Florida Keys there are well known spots (and some hidden gems) that offer…read morevisitors incredible nature trails and observation areas to view/enjoy wildlife and vegetation; and one of the lesser known spots is right here in Key West, The Key West Nature Preserve (formerly known as The Berg). Located along the Atlantic Ocean coastline, between Higgs Beach and Smathers Beach in-between a couple of the residential apartment buildings/complexes. Actually, there are two different areas... the larger is to the east (just over 6 acres) and the smaller to the west (just shy of 2 acres). Each has it's own entrance and you are limited to the path and/or boardwalks; allowing to you to view but not interfere or affect these protected preserves (home to raccoons and endangered birds among the mangroves, seagrapes and many palm tree varieties. I explored the east preserve this visit, but the entrance to both are somewhat misleading; I thought they were City bus stops before realizing it was actually an entrance to the trails. The paths are (or at least were) covered in drainage rock (better than mulch that runs into the mangroves and leaves a muddy trail). Unfortunately it does need some sprucing up (without rock or other stabilizer being added to the trail, the path is becoming more and more muddy/spongy. As you make your way along the path, there is a boardwalk that has been blocked off (some of the floor boards are noticeably deteriorated); which is a shame since the boardwalk ends with a observation point to over the shallow, brackish waters. Continuing back along the foot path approaching the beach, there is a boardwalk with a mid-way expanse that has benches and then continues to the beach... and what a view it is ! It was noticeable that the waters were all the way up to the end of the boardwalk (almost giving the boardwalk the appearance of becoming a dock). Years ago, I remember the waters being considerably further out from the boardwalk... and yes, I took into account the tides.

This little nature trail is located right off of Atlantic near Smathers Beach. I have noticed it…read moremany times and I have always wanted to stroll over and check it out so I did on this trip. It's just a short boardwalk amongst the trees that walks you out to the ocean. On the way you will encounter some wetlands and mangroves. If the city paid a little more attention to it, the space has potential. It looks ignored but with a little trimming and trash collection, this place could transform. I did encounter a gorgeous heron while taking in the view.

It's a park; not an overly impressive park, but a park nonetheless…read more At first glance all is okay here with amenities like: Tennis courts, bocce ball courts, sand volleyball court, basketball court, playground and plenty of open green area with benches and bbq grills ISSUES WITH THE PARK: --- Great park to bring your dog for a run or walk but hardly anyone picks up after their dogs. So if you want to play catch, frisbi or a good 'ol game of tag, you better watch your step in this mine-field of feces. --- Then again you don't really have to watch yourself while running around... because you are not allowed to "run" here. Apparently, the park has a "no running" rule. --- Bocce balls courts are in desperate need of repair. They're poorly built and in lieu of aggregate or alternate compacted base, they utilize cheap artificial turf (mini-golf putting green material) over plywood. The plywood is warped making the field of play all cocked and tilted. PARK RULES (as posted): --- PLEASE FOLLOW THE RULES --- Do not use the playground during wet weather --- No ball playing --- No throwing sand --- No glass containers --- No running pushing or shoving --- Do not use the equipment when wet --- Use equipment properly First, "wet" concerns are noted two times (kinda redundant) Second, "NO BALL PLAYING" at a park? no ball playing, even though there is a bocce ball court, basketball court, tennis courts, volleyball court and all that open field. Thirdly, I can understand no sand throwing, pushing, shoving but NO RUNNING? No running... in a park? I just want to know how much the "rule makers" drank the night the rules were agreed upon. *** side note: this park is in Saddlebunch Key (mile marker 15) and not in Key West (Yelp does not recognize Saddlebunch Key, it automatically changes to Key West)

Park for kids 12 and under, swings, 4 slides, picnic bench, trash cans. No bathroom. Play area has…read moreshade cover for play. Great place to stop to have a packed lunch on the way out of key west before a long ride home.

Awesome playground right on the beach (not close to the water) with bathrooms near by. The entire…read moreplayground is gated which makes it more of a gem. There are small shaded tables on the side inside the grounds to drop all the beach bags and coolers and most of the play equipment is for climbing and balancing. We arrived right before sun down and the water was choppy with the rising tide but it was such an amazing sight to see the fishing boats arriving back to shore.

Key West is not a beach destination namely because the island doesn't have any beaches. True facts…read more Clarence Higgs Memorial Beach is an artificial beach and is really the only beach on the island besides Fort Zachary Taylor Park. Clarence Higgs beach is more of your traditional beach vacation where you can rent umbrellas and towels, play beach volleyball (there are only two courts), rent kayaks and snorkeling gear. The downside is that it isn't as picturesque as Fort Zachary Taylor Park. But that park doesn't really have any amenities. Overall, it's a decent beach. As the only traditional beach vacation spot on the island, though, it's going to be on your Key West itinerary at some point I hope.

A curiously small beach worth having a looksea. It's definitely not the swaths of beach you'll find…read moreon the other side of the island but it's a nice beach spot in the heart of downtown. Serviced by Loggerheads so there's chairs and umbrellas and libations on offer. They also have counter seafood eats and have been super friendly, helpful, and nice whenever we've stopped in. Imagine you could get some pretty good beachie sunset shots here.

Simonton Street Beach (aka Simpson Street Pier area) is my top pick after hitting five Key West…read morespots it's the smallest public beach, but that makes it the best hidden gem. Tucked at the end of Simonton Street on the Gulf side, it's super convenient: steps from downtown, Duval Street, and the Historic Seaport, with calm, crystal-clear water perfect for swimming or jumping off the concrete pier into refreshing depths where fish swim right below. Locals love it (a friend showed me the ropes, and it's a frequent local fave), and no wonder stunning Gulf sunsets paint the sky orange-pink, soft sand, nearby beach bar for cheap drinks/snacks/chairs, plus restrooms and a boat ramp adding quirky charm. While other beaches can be rocky (water shoes needed), this one's smooth and effortless. Pure, low-key paradise that's close to town yet feels worlds away hands down the best little beach in Key West.

This trail is kinda short but worth visiting…read more The trail is within a larger area that is home to a few trails and this is one of them. It's well maintained (which is nice since a lot of Keys trails and parks sometimes look messy and overgrown). The trail is rock and some parts with boardwalk (for the overlooks) and you oversee a lot of how the keys were back in its natural state. There are signs to read that give useful educational information and for animals that you may see. Of the few times we've hiked the trails around here, we haven't seen much in the way of wildlife but we have seen a rabbit once and a couple of key deer (which are the cutest deers ever).

Free Florida fun. It's a nice 2/3 mile walk in a loop of fairly manicured gravel trails through the…read morehammock. There's also a shorter leg that goes to a viewing deck. Pretty cool. No deer today but that's not always the case. And do be mindful of the poisonwood!

We took a walk and found ourselves at Rest Beach. It's a peaceful spot, with a long, wide pier that…read morewould be perfect for catching a sunrise. A few people were fishing at the far end, and we enjoyed watching brightly colored fish glide through the clear water beneath us.

This is a small sandy strip of beach that was named after a former Key West mayor named C.B…read more Harvey. I found it to be more of a park instead of a beach. It features the White Street Pier, the African-American Cemetery and an AIDS Memorial. It's a great area for watching sunsets and just taking in the beautiful scenery of this gorgeous place. Free parking can be found within the area or you can walk there like we did. The pier offers fishing and plenty of space to hang out. We always come here when we visit as it's close to where our friends live.

You could spend a few days just in this one spot. This is a great place to catch a boat, Sunset…read moreCruise, a bite to eat, and drink or two. So many things to do here. This is a must see if you come To KW. Most of you fishing and boat tours are in this area. Lots of art shops around and plenty of restaurants, believe me you will get you fill of whatever you want. Take a walk and look at the boats in the Harbor, you will be surprised. Great spot in the day or evening for a walk.

A great part of Key West to walk, shop, eat and take in the scenery. It's beautiful morning,…read moreafternoon and sunset! Don't miss the charm of this area!