Monroe County
Monroe County is the southernmost part of the United States. Monroe County starts on the Southwest corner of Florida and then runs straight down the Florida Keys.
The county seat is Key West just 94 miles from Cuba. Monroe County’s largest cities are Islamorada, Key West, and Marathon.
The Florida Keys are islands of rock with the only living coral reef in the continental United States just a few miles offshore. Monroe County also includes uninhabited parts of the Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve.
The word “Key” means small island.
Monroe County Table of Contents
- Area Code & Zip Code
- Cities in Monroe County
- County Map
- State Parks
Recent Updates
Monroe County Map
This map of Monroe County, FL shows that there are 2 distinct sections of the County.
The Florida Keys
The Florida Keys are a narrow collection of low lying islands that stretch over 220 miles connected by bridges and the Overseas Highway. The Keys extend from Key Largo (just south of Homestead) down to Key West - the southern most city in the continental United States.
Monroe County is 3,737 square miles and sits between the Atlantic Ocean to its east and the Gulf of Mexico to its west.
The Everglades National Park
The western section of the Everglades are in Monroe County and include the Big Cypress National Preserve.
Area Codes and Zip Codes for Monroe County
The area code for Monroe County, FL is 305.
Cities in Monroe County Florida
Monroe County has five incorporated cities and eleven unincorporated islands and areas.
Incorporated Cities in Monroe County
- City of Key West
- City of Marathon
- City of Key Colony Beach
- City of Layton
- Village of Islamorada
Unincorporated islands
- Stock Island
- Big Coppitt Key
- Cudjoe Key
- Big Pine Key
- Duck Key
- Tavernier
- Key Largo
- North Key Largo
- Flamingo
- Bay Point
- Sugarloaf Shores
The Keys in Monroe County are a collection of Islands (Key means small Island) connected by bridges.
The Keys are divided into 3 sections. The upper keys (to the north), the middle keys south of the upper keys, and the lower keys that are the most south and west islands including Key West.
Upper Keys
- Key Largo
- Plantation Key
- Windley Key
- Upper Matcumbe Key
- Lignumvitae Key
- Lower Matecumbe Key
Middle Keys
- Craig Key
- Fiesta Key
- Long Key
- Conch Key
- Duck Key
- Grassy Key
- Crawl Key
- Long Point Key
- Fat Deer Key
- Key Vaca
- Boot Key
- Knights Key
- Pigeon Key
Lower Keys
- Little Duck Key
- Missouri Key
- Ohio Key
- Bahia Honda Key
- Spanish Harbor Keys
- West Summerland Key
- No Name Key
- Big Pine Key
- Little Torch Key
- Middle Torch Key
- Big Torch Key
- Ramrod Key
- Summerland Key
- Knockemdown Key
- Cudjoe Key
- Sugarload Key
- Park Key
- Lower Sugarloaf Key
- Saddlebunch Key
- Shark Key
- Geiger Key
- Big Coppitt Key
- East Rockland Key
- Rockland Key
- Boca Chica Key
- Key Haven
- Stock Island
- Key West
- Sigsbee Park
- Fleming Key
- Sunset Key
Historical State Parks
Bahia Honda State Park
Bahia Honda State Park is in the Florida Keys about 12 miles south of Marathon at Mile Marker 36.8, oceanside. Bahia Honda was once an isolated island that became a tropical destination when Henry Flagler’s railroad was built to Key West. Great beaches line Bahia Honda providing plenty of water activities.
Bahia Honda State Park
36850 Overseas Highway
Big Pine Key, Florida 33043
Phone: 305-872-2353
Bahia Honda State Park Online Information and Campground Reservations
Bahia Honda State Park Activities:
- Camping, cabins, and Friday night Campfire Circles.
- Three campgrounds - Buttonwood, Sandspur, and Bayside.
- Three 3 white sandy beaches at Bahia Honda - Calusa Beach, Loggerhead Beach, and Sandspur.
- Bike ride along a 3.5 mile paved road.
- Bird watching for wading birds and shorebirds.
- Snorkeling tours to Looe Key.
- Two boat ramps and boat slips available for rental.
- Bottom fishing, fly fishing, and flats fishing can all be done at Bahia Honda.
- Home to several nesting areas where loggerhead sea turtles come to lay their eggs.
- Nature hiking trails.
Curry Hammock State Park
Curry Hammock State Park is a group of islands in the Middle Florida Keys at Mile Marker 56.2 with its entrance on the oceanside. The Florida state park’s islands are on both the ocean and bay sides.
Curry Hammock State Park
56200 Overseas Highway
Marathon, Florida 33050
Phone: 305-289-2690
Curry Hammock State Park Online Information and Campground Reservations
Curry Hammock State Park Activities:
- 1,600 foot beach is shallow for swimming, sunbathing, and sand castle building.
- Snorkeling only in designated areas. The water is typically shallow with seagrass.
- Campground is open year round for tents and RVs.
- No power boats allowed, only canoes and kayaks.
- Fishing is allowed and is best in the flats and channel.
- Bicycle path is set along the Overseas Heritage Trail.
Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park
Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park is home to 84 protected species of plants and animals. The entrance to the park is about 1/2 mile north of County Road 905’s intersection with US Highway 1 at Mile Marker 106.
Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park
County Road 905
Key Largo, Florida 33037
Phone: 305-451-1202
Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park Online Information
Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park Activities:
- Self guided nature trail through tropical hardwood hammock and a butterfly garden.
- Migrating birds are seen in April (northbound) and October (southbound.)
- Six miles of backcountry trails can be accessed with a backcountry permit from the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Ranger Station.
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
Ft Zachary Taylor State Park is located in Key West and is the southernmost Florida state park. Built in the mid-1800’s to protect the nation’s southeastern coastline, it became a National Historic Landmark in 1973.
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
Southard Street
Key West, Florida 33041
Phone: 305-292-6713
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park Online Information
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park Activities:
- Beautiful sunset views are seen from Fort Zachary Taylor Park.
- Fort Zach’s beach provides swimming and snorkeling with live coral and tropical fish. It is often referred to as the best beach in Key West.
- Fishing is available along the Key West Harbor.
Indian Key Historic State Park
Indian Key Historic State Park is located in the Upper Keys in Islamorada at Miler Marker 78.5 and is only accessible by water. In the early 1800’s this small island’s business was salvaging cargo from shipwrecks off the Florida Keys.
Indian Key Historic State Park
U.S. 1 Mile Marker 78.5
Islamorada, Florida 33036
Phone: 305-664-2540
Indian Key Historic State Park Online Information
Park Size: 11 acre island (bug free!)
Indian Key Historic State Park Activities:
- Power boats, kayaks, and canoes are allowed to get to Indian Key.
- Snorkeling and scuba diving are both permitted.
- Fishing on the flats and in the channels is allowed but no fishing is permitted within 100 feet of dock.
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is in Key Largo in the Upper Florida Keys at Mile Marker 102.5, oceanside. It is the first undersea park in the United States.
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
U.S. 1 Mile Marker 102.5
Key Largo, Florida 33037
Phone: 305-451-1202
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Online Information and Campground Reservations
Park Size: 70 nautical square miles
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Activities:
- Two beaches - Cannon Beach is best for snorkeling with a Spanish shipwreck right offshore and Far Beach is good for swimming and sunbathing with its palm trees.
- Deepwater boat ramp, boat marina, boat slips and moorings available for rental.
- Boat tours include glass bottom boats, snorkeling trips, and scuba diving trips.
- Full campground facility for RVs, tents, and groups.
- Canoe or kayak through the 2 1/2 miles of mangrove trails.
- Fishing in designated areas.
- Visitor Center with aquariums.
Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park
Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park is only accessible by boat and is about 1 mile offshore in the Upper Keys in Islamorada. It was formerly owned in 1919 by a wealthy Miami Florida based chemist named William Matheson who built a house on the island.
Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park
Offshore Island - MM 78.5 Oceanside
Islamorada, Florida 33036
Phone: 305-664-2540
Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park Online Information
Island Size: 280 acres
Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park Activities:
- Matheson House built in 1919 is the Visitor Center.
- Boat tours available through Robbie’s Marina, phone: 305-664-9814.
- Power boat and kayak rental is also at Robbie’s Marina to visit the island.
- Snorkeling off the island on the reefs is allowed.
Long Key State Park
Long Key State Park is known for its bonefishing. Formerly a fishing resort before it was destroyed in a hurricane in 1935, Long Key is located in the Upper Keys at Mile Marker 67.5.
Long Key State Park
67400 Overseas Highway
Long Key, Florida 33001
Phone: 305-664-4815
Long Key State Park Online Information and Campground Reservations
Park Size: 60 campsites
Long Key State Park Activities:
- All campsites overlook the Atlantic Ocean.
- Canoe trails and hiking trails.
- Great sport fishing.
- Snorkeling and swimming in designated areas.
- Weekly 2-hour guided walk along the Golden Orb Trail.
San Pedro Underwater Archaeological Preserve State Park
San Pedro Underwater Archaeological Preserve State Park is an underwater archaeological preserve of a Spanish shipwreck from 1733. The Florida state park is located at Mile Marker 85.5 in Islamorada in the Florida Keys.
San Pedro Underwater Archaeological Preserve State Park
U.S. 1 Mile Marker 85.5
Islamorada, Florida 33036
Phone: 305-664-2540
San Pedro Underwater Archaeological Preserve State Park Online Information
San Pedro Underwater Archaeological Preserve State Park Activities:
- 18 feet of water allows snorkelers to view remains of the Spanish flotilla, San Pedro, enhanced with replicas of cannons and anchor.
- Snorkeling, swimming, boating, kayaking, and scuba diving are allowed.
Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park
Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park is a former fossilized coral quarry used by the Florida East Coast Railroad to build Henry Flagler’s Overseas Railroad in early 1900’s. You can view the cross sections of the ancient coral and see the tools they used.
Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park
U.S. 1 Mile Marker 84.9
Islamorada, Florida 33036
Phone: 305-664-2540
Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park Online Information
Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park Activities:
- Walk along 8-foot high quarry walls to see the fossilized coral up close.
- Learn how fossilized coral played an important role in building the Overseas Railroad in the early 1900’s and the machinery used.