Travel As You Go | Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park

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Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park

the virgin tropical hardwood hammock that thrives on this island was once common on most of florida's upper keys; most of these forests have been lost to development on other islands. in 1919, william j. matheson, a wealthy miami chemist, bought this tiny island and built a caretaker's home with a windmill for electricity and a cistern for rainwater. today, his hideaway is the visitor center for this island forest. ranger-guided tours are given twice daily, friday through sunday. the park is accessible only by private boat or tour boat. tour boat services, as well as boat and kayak rentals, are available from robbie's marina. located one mile west of u.s. 1 at mile marker 78.5.park is open thursday through monday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. tours of the historic matheson house and grounds are available at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., friday through sunday.

Wikipedia Summary
Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park is a Florida State Park consisting of Lignumvitae Key, Shell Key, surrounding submerged lands, and a parcel at the northern end of Lower Matecumbe Key. The islands are located one mile west of U.S. 1 (Overseas Highway) at mile marker 78.5, and can be reached only by private boat or tour boat. Lignumvitae Key was designated a National Natural Landmark by the National Park Service in 1968, recognizing the tropical hardwood hammock on the island. The park includes Lignumvitae Key (287 acres [116 ha]), Shell Key (203 acres [82 ha]), a parcel of (11 acres [4 ha]) on Lower Matecumbe Key, three parcels of mangrove forest adjacent to Upper Matecumbe Key and Lower Matecumbe Key, totaling 267 acres (108 ha), and 9,958 acres (40 km2) of submerged land, primarily on the Florida Bay side of the Matecumbe Keys, but extending between Upper Matecumbe Key and Lower Matecumbe Key into the Atlantic Ocean. The park is managed jointly with the Indian Key State Historic Site, the Shell Key Preserve State Park, and the San Pedro Underwater Archaeological Preserve State Park. The state park largely overlaps the 6,700 acres (27 km2) Lignumvitae Key Aquatic Preserve, which was designated by the state in 1969.

Direction
Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park is located one mile west of U.S.1 at Mile Marker 78.5. Access is by private boat or charter boats at nearby marinas.