Bicycling is easy along the main paved ½-mile boulevard. The backcountry trails are gravel or a leaf-littered coral rock substrate, and accessible to visitors by simply completing a backcountry permit at the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Ranger Station.

A self-guided nature trail winds through the tropical hardwood hammock and includes a native plant butterfly garden. An additional 6 miles of backcountry trails are available to explore simply by completing a backcountry permit at the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Ranger Station. Exploring the trails gives visitors a chance to see some of 84 protected and rare species of plants and animals, including wild cotton, mahogany mistletoe, or the Schaus' swallowtail butterfly. The largest tract of West Indian tropical hardwood hammock in the U.S., contained in this park, also provides a wealth of opportunity for birdwatchers and photographers. The main half-mile trail is paved and accessible to wheelchairs and bicycles.

Participation Requirements

Two picnic tables are provided across from the butterfly garden approximately 1/4-mile down the paved wooded boulevard. No fires are permitted. Please pack out your trash.

Wildlife observation is also outstanding at the park. Northbound in April, and especially while southbound in October, migratory birds are funneled into the Keys by the landform. Many tropical species are resident here, including the white-crowned pigeon, mangrove cuckoo and black-whiskered vireo. Tropical vagrants such as the thick-billed vireo and La Sagra's flycatcher are frequently reported in the park.

Butterfly-watching has rapidly grown in popularity since the mid-1990s; the park features an incredible diversity of species including the Schaus' swallowtail, silver-banded hairstreak, and both hammock and mangrove skippers. Rare tree snails feed on the lichens and bark of the tropical trees, and can be easily observed by park visitors.