Long Key State Park
A marked canoe trail through a shallow mangrove lagoon in the middle Keys - bring your own boat, because there is nothing to rent here.
Long Key’s canoe trail winds through a shallow tidal lagoon where the mangrove tunnels are close enough to touch on both sides and the water is often under two feet deep. It is a quiet, sheltered paddle with herons and small sharks in the shallows, and the reason to come. Bring your own boat: there are no rentals here and the dockage was removed. Be realistic about the rest of the park before you plan a day around it. Hurricane Irma in 2017 and Ian in 2022 took the oceanfront campground and the beach with it, and there are no plans to rebuild - only a few walk-up primitive sites remain, and as of mid-2026 those and the Golden Orb Trail are closed for construction. What is open is the lagoon, a nature trail and waterfront picnic tables.
Pricing
$5 per vehicle (verify)
Common Questions
- How much does Long Key State Park cost?
- Long Key State Park charges admission. $5 per vehicle (verify)
- What ages is Long Key State Park good for?
- Long Key State Park is best for kids ages 5 to 18+.
- Is Long Key State Park stroller friendly?
- No, Long Key State Park is not considered stroller friendly.
- Can I bring my dog to Long Key State Park?
- No, dogs are not allowed at Long Key State Park.
- How hard is Long Key State Park?
- The difficulty level is easy. Plan for about 3 hours.
- Is Long Key State Park free?
- No, there is a cost to visit Long Key State Park. $5 per vehicle (verify)
- What should I bring to Long Key State Park?
- Your own kayak or canoe, sun protection, water, bug spray for the mangroves
- How long does Long Key State Park take?
- Most families spend about 3 hours at Long Key State Park.
- When is the best time to visit Long Key State Park?
- Higher tide for the canoe trail - the lagoon gets very thin at low water. Call ahead: construction closures are ongoing.