Curry Hammock Nature Trail

Curry Hammock Nature Trail is a short circuit through tropical rockland hammock on a separate parcel west of the main park. The complete walk from the bayside lot is about 1.7 miles: roughly 0.2 mile each way on the paved Overseas Heritage Trail, plus about 1.3 miles on the nature footpath, including its bay spur and loop. Expect close, shaded vegetation and careful foot placement more than open water views. The bench beside Florida Bay is a quiet shoreline stop, not a sweeping overlook. Distance labels vary: the park map marks the nature trail at 1.2 miles, while the park's written description gives 1.5 miles; the longer figure here includes the lot access.

From the bayside lot, follow the paved Overseas Heritage Trail toward the main entrance for about 300 yards, watching for cyclists. At the kiosk, leave the pavement for crushed shell under a mangrove tunnel. A low stretch can be muddy or tidally flooded before it opens beside the bay. The path then rises slightly into shaded woods over exposed limestone and fossil coral. At the fork, take the right branch to make the loop counterclockwise. A short spur reaches a second bench by the water; return to the main circuit and continue through the thatch palms and a small dip in the terrain. The route has little sustained climbing, but roots and jagged rock make it slower than its mileage suggests.

This forest grows on extensive surface caprock, with hardwoods such as pigeon plum, gumbo-limbo and Jamaican dogwood above a rocky floor. Thatch palms cluster through the understory, alongside low, thorny cactus. Curry Hammock protects one of the largest thatch-palm populations in the United States. Interpretive panels describe how the forest responds to hurricanes and the threatened species that depend on it. White-crowned pigeons use rockland hammock as important habitat; listen from the path rather than stepping into the plants for a closer look.

The hike moves from a close, tunnel-like mangrove corridor to a clearing and picnic table at the bay, then returns through forest. The short shoreline spur and its low bench make a pleasant pause. Keep expectations modest: the water is visible, but the outlook is limited by the low shore and mangroves. The forest and its unusual Keys vegetation are as much a reason to come as the view.

This is not a smooth stroller path. Wear supportive, closed-toed shoes for uneven caprock, fossil coral and roots. Poisonwood and thorny plants border the tread, so stay on the path and avoid brushing the vegetation. The low mangrove section may hold mud or tidal water. Bring drinking water; there are no facilities at this outlying access. The paved approach is shared with cyclists.