Walk on the Wild Side of Key Largo at Dagny Johnson Park

The preserved wilderness area in north Key Largo between County Road 905 and the Atlantic Ocean was named for Dagny Johnson, an Upper Keys environmental activist who led a fight in the 1970s and’80s to stop development that was planned for most of north Key Largo. 

Dagny Johnson Key Largo Botanical Hammock State Park contains the largest remaining contiguous tracts of subtropical West Indian hardwood hammock still found in the continental United States.

Once a common habitat in the Florida Keys and south Florida, this unique plant community developed after sea level exposed the ancient coral reefs, leaving the land dry. Seeds were transported and deposited by the wind, waves and birds like the white-crowned pigeon migrating from the Caribbean and the West Indies.  

This habitat, at one time common in the Keys but now a singular standout, is home to 84 rare species of plants and animals including wild cotton, mahogany mistletoe, the Key Largo woodrat, the Schaus swallowtail butterfly, rare tree snails and others. 

Walks here can be determined by one’s stamina. Just past the entry, an easy paved loop with a central butterfly garden and picnic tables is favored by dogwalkers, families with small children, cyclists and those requiring a wheelchair. 

More adventurous hikers can explore the 2.1-mile outer loop or the 1-mile half loop. There are also several offshoot trails, one leading to an inlet off Garden Cove Channel that includes a campsite reserved exclusively for paddlers undertaking the ambitious Florida Circumnavigational Paddling Trail. The stop there provides a clear view of the Atlantic Ocean. 

The outer loop trail —hard-packed dirt and some dirt roads accessible to park vehicles — takes hikers through a mangrove estuary with a section that often becomes submerged by high tides, especially around the full moon, and inundated by heavy rainfall. 

Hikers have the option of bypassing that section by doubling back and cutting through to pick up the other section of the outer loop. Those who prefer to trudge through the flooded portion should wear heavy boots or shoes that can stand up to water and mud. There are some stones that have been placed for use as steppingstones, but they can be sharp and slippery so a walking stick is advised to maintain balance. 

The lure of this area is that it attracts wading birds including herons, egrets, ibis and roseate spoonbills. In the upland areas, bird species may include white-eyed vireos, white-crowned pigeons, numerous warblers, and birds of prey including owls, ospreys and hawks. 

Energetic walkers can log over 3 miles by following the outer loop and all the offshoot trails. One of them is a short loop designated as the Nature Trail, with signage about many of the trees and plants. 

Another section takes people past an old quarry that was created by dredging done for the once-imagined community of Port Bougainville, designed to include Mediterranean-style waterfront lots. 

Since this natural area is home to endangered species, including the extremely rare Schaus swallowtail butterfly, no spraying is done to combat mosquitos. Therefore in summer months, particularly July and August, mosquito repellant, long pants, long-sleeved shirts and a head net are recommended to keep mosquitoes and deer flies at bay.

Difficulty level: Easy to moderate
Best for: Nature lovers, especially botanical, bird and butterfly enthusiasts 
Admission: $2.50 per person
Address: County Road 905 and Mile Marker 106, Key Largo
Nearby lodging: Reefhouse Resort & Marina, Courtyard Key Largo, Kona Kai Resort
Nearby dining: Buzzard’s Roost, Blackwater Siren, The Fish House, Key Largo Conch House