Pros & cons
PROS
- Rare pine rockland habitat on the Miami Rock Ridge
- Excellent unpaved network for biking and long, quiet hikes
- Lakeside picnic area next to a seasonal campground
CONS
- Mosquitoes can be fierce in warmer months
- No food or store on-site—bring everything you need
Overview
Long Pine Key is the park’s high-and-dry pineland oasis just off the main road, anchored by a quiet lake, a seasonal campground, and miles of unpaved trails. It sits atop the Miami Rock Ridge and protects the largest remaining expanse of pine rockland habitat in the U.S.—a globally rare ecosystem of airy slash pines, exposed limestone, and a quirky mix of tropical and temperate plants.
Why it’s special
Unlike the swampy Everglades most people expect, this landscape is open, sunlit, and surprisingly diverse. The karst limestone underfoot is pocked with solution holes, and the edges where pinelands meet sawgrass prairies make for great wildlife and plant viewing. It’s one of the best places in the park to experience pine rocklands up close without crowds.
What to do
- Bike or hike the Long Pine Key Trails: mostly flat, unpaved former roads that roll for miles through pinelands. A core route runs about 5.9 miles one way from the campground toward Pine Glades.
- Linger by Long Pine Key Lake for a mellow picnic and water views.
- Keep an eye out for colorful tree snails, woodpeckers, hawks, and owls; you might also spot frogs and turtles along the corridors.
Getting there & navigation
- Eastern access: just north of Long Pine Key Campground.
- Western access: from the Pine Glades Lake parking area; there’s no highway sign—driving toward Flamingo it’s the first left after the Pinelands Trail turnoff.
- The park allows roadside parking on paved-road shoulders near gated trail junctions; use the official Long Pine Key Trails map to plan your gates and pull-offs.
Facilities & seasonality
- The adjacent Long Pine Key Campground operates seasonally (typically November through April). It offers flush restrooms and widely spaced sites, but there’s no food, store, or gas here.
Wildlife
Birders do well in the pinelands: listen for owls at dusk and woodpeckers year-round. The understory hosts rare plants and the area is known for eye-catching tree snails after wet periods.
Best time to visit
- Late fall through spring is prime: cooler, drier, and far fewer mosquitoes.
- Start early for softer light, easier biking, and the coolest temps.
- Weekdays are typically quieter; sunset light can be lovely around the lake.
Where it is
25.3995, -80.6575Tips for Long Pine Key
- 01Download the park’s Long Pine Key Trails map to plan gate access points.
- 02For the western end, watch for the unmarked turn to Pine Glades Lake after Pinelands Trail when driving toward Flamingo.
- 03Start early to beat the heat and the worst of the mosquitoes.
- 04Bring all food and plenty of water—there are no concessions here.
- 05If biking, wide tires handle the unpaved pineland roads best.
Amenities
Near Long Pine Key
All places →All trails →
0.1 mi awayLong Pine Key LakePine-rockland lake with trails, picnicking, and a quieter vibeTrailhead · Parking
0.1 mi awayLong Pine Key Picnic AreaLakeside picnic pullouts in rare pine rocklandsParking · Restroom
0.1 mi awayLong Pine Key CampgroundShady pine-rockland basecamp with hot showers and lakeside trailsCampground · Restroom
2.2 mi awayPinelands TrailShort, shady paved loop through rare pine rocklands and karst holes.Easy · 0.4 mi · 24 min
2.7 mi awayNike Hercules Missile Site HM-69Cold War missile base with ranger tours and real missilesExhibit · Parking
3.2 mi awayGumbo Limbo TrailShaded, paved loop through a lush tropical hardwood hammockEasy · 0.4 mi · 18 min
4.6 mi awayLong Pine Key TrailFlat pine rockland traverse with bikes allowed and big winter skiesEasy · 6.1 mi · 5.5 hr
7.6 mi awayOld Ingraham Highway TrailHistoric roadbed into wild, alligator country—long, flat, exposedModerate · 22.8 mi · 6.5 hr
