One of the most popular questions I am asked is “What are the best stops on a Florida Keys road trip?” And while there are so many amazing places in the Florida Keys, one of my favorite places, and one I always recommend, is Bahia Honda State Park.
When you think of a tropical destination, chances are, you’re picturing something that looks exactly like this. With huge palm trees and vibrant, blue water perfect for snorkeling.
But Bahia Honda State Park is extra special because it’s not only breathtakingly gorgeous, it also has some history. We’ll dive into that, as well as all of the other things you can do on your visit.
Bahia Honda State Park Location and Hours
Bahia Honda State Park is located at Mile Marker 37 right on the Overseas Highway (US-1). If you weren’t familiar, mile markers are how everyone gives directions in the Keys. If you are going from Key Largo to Key West, then this park will be towards the end of your Florida Keys road trip.
Bahia Honda is about 45 minutes away from Key West which is the end (or start, depending how you look at it) of US-1. It’s right after you go over the 7 mile bridge and right before Big Pine Key.
- Hours: 8:00am to sundown every day of the year
- Cost: $8 per vehicle (2-8 people), $4.50 for vehicles with one person, $2.50 for pedestrians + cyclists
- Boat Ramp Cost: $10 per boat plus park entry fees.
- Camping: $36 per night plus tax plus $6.70 reservation fee and a $7 nightly utility fee for RVs
- Address: 36850 Overseas Highway, Big Pine Key FL 33043
Do note that the park has increased in popularity over the years so it may reach maximum capacity. If that happens, you will be asked to return at another time. You may want to arrive early, especially on busy days like weekends and holidays.
History of Bahia Honda State Park
One of the first things you’ll notice about the park is the huge bridge that is now broken in the middle. This bridge was once part of Henry Flagler’s Overseas Railway. It was a railroad that connected the mainland of Florida all the way to the Florida Keys. It allowed access to the Florida Keys in a way that had never been done before.
The Bahia Honda bridge was the most difficult bridge to build, even more difficult than the 7 mile bridge. This is because of how deep the channel is and how strong the tides are. This is also why the bridge was built to be so tall. It really is impressive.
The bridge was constructed in 1912 but was damaged past the point of use in the 1935 Labor Day hurricane. Even though it was badly damaged, part of the bridge still stands today.
The Overseas Highway was later built, which is how we drive through the Florida Keys today. Parts of the highway were built on portions of the old rail bridge.
Things to do in Bahia Honda State Park
There are a lot of things to do in Bahia Honda State Park. If you enjoy being outdoors, you could easily stay all day. And if you want to camp, you could even stay a few days!
Here are is an overview of your options of things to do at Bahia Honda State Park:
Bahia Honda Beaches
In every blog post I write on the Florida Keys, I give a small disclaimer that the Florida Keys actually actually isn’t known for the greatest beaches. I know that this is a little surprising given that it’s a tropical paradise surrounded by stunning waters.
However, the Florida Keys are close to the coral reef, so there’s coral on the beaches. This is basically like stepping on a bunch of rocks, so it can be painful (I recommend bringing water shoes to help). Also, it’s common for seagrass to wash ashore. It’s illegal to remove it as it’s good for the environment but the downside is that after sitting in the sun, it can really smell.
But Bahia Honda beaches are worth visiting and there are a handful within the park.
Calusa Beach is my favorite beach in Bahia Honda and probably the most photographed beach in Bahia Honda as well. Calusa Beach offers the most gorgeous views of the Bahia Honda bridge. The water here is stunning (but then again, it’s stunning everywhere in the park!)
The beach itself is on the smaller side, so it can get busy there pretty quickly. There are picnic tables right in the sand if you want to bring your lunch. The water is shallow and completely clear, making it great for everyone, including families. Calusa Beach is on the northwest side of Bahia Honda. It faces the Overseas Highway/US1.
If you happen to be in the park for sunset, you’ll want to watch it from Calusa Beach!
Loggerhead Beach is on the west end of the island facing the Atlantic. The beach is large and shallow. The sand stretches out here, so there is more space to spread out from others. But notice I mentioned sand! This is a more traditional sandy beach, which is actually tough to come across in the Florida Keys. There are also picnic tables nearby. Loggerhead Beach is a great area for water activities such as fishing or kayaking.
Sandspur Beach is the largest beach at Bahia Honda. It is almost a mile long and like the other beaches, has shallow water. It’s also easy to spread out at Sandspur Beach, especially if you’re willing to walk a little bit.
Old Bahia Honda Bridge
My favorite thing to do at Bahia Honda State Park is to hike up the old bridge. There is a quick trail that leads up to it. It’s the only trail in the park so you can’t miss it. Round trip, the hike is 0.4-miles and it’s a pretty easy hike.
The views from the bridge are absolutely stunning. It also puts into perspective how amazing of a feat building the Overseas Railroad was back in the day.
Snorkeling
Snorkeling at Bahia Honda is one of the best places to snorkel from shore in the Florida Keys. The water is shallow and crystal clear. You may see some coral, tropical fish, conchs, and lobster.
You can bring your own gear or you can rent snorkel gear from within the park. We have even just brought goggles before and still had a great time. They’re easy to pack and cost effective.
You can also take a snorkeling trip to Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary for even better snorkeling. There are two tours that leave from Bahia Honda State Park every day at 9:30 am and 1:30 pm. You’ll get 90 minutes of snorkeling. The cost is $29.95 for adults and $24.95 for kids.
Kayaking
Bahia Honda is generally a great place to kayak. There are some areas around the park that might have some stronger currents not ideal for beginners. If you are worried about that or are new to kayaking, just ask when you rent the kayak if there are areas you should avoid that day. It’s always changing based on the weather and tides.
You can rent kayaks within the park. A single kayak is $12/hour or $36/half day. A double kayak is $18/hour or $54/half day.
Camping at Bahia Honda
Camping is available at Bahia Honda State Park and it’s very popular. You will need to reserve your spot ahead of time. You can book your spot on the Florida State Parks website. Reservations open 11 months in advance.
Camping in Bahia Honda costs $36 per night plus a $6.70 reservation fee. There is also a $7 nightly utility fee for RVs (if you are tent camping, you do not have to pay this).
Tips and Things to Know Before Visiting Bahia Honda State Park
Amount of time to spend at the park will depend on how much you want to do and how much time you have. You could easily spend all day there if you want to lay out on the beach. And of course, some people spend multiple days camping there. If you just want to check it out, climb the bridge, and move on, then a couple of hours is plenty to quickly see everything.
Shade – There is not a lot of shade in the park, so if you plan on staying for a while, you might want to bring an umbrella for the beach. But no matter what, make sure you bring sunscreen.
Sunscreen – Please make sure you bring reef-safe sunscreen. It’s so important for the fragile coral reefs.
Parking – If you are like me and worry about whether or not you’ll be able to find parking, don’t worry! There’s plenty. This is such a benefit of state parks in my opinion, they almost always have parking.
Food – There are some grills within the park if you’d like to grill your own food. There are also some simple food options (sandwiches, snacks, and drinks) available to purchase in the park.
Alcohol is not allowed on the beach.
Restrooms are available in the park
Bahia Honda State Park is an amazing place with a perfect blend of natural beauty and recreational activities. Whether you’re snorkeling in the clear waters, taking in the views, or simply relaxing on the beach, Bahia Honda promises an unforgettable experience.
