Activities at Curry Hammock State Park
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BicyclingBicycles are welcome on park roads, and the Overseas Heritage Multi-use Trail which passes through the park, providing easy access to and from Marathon. For your safety, remember persons under the age of 16 years are required by state law to wear a properly fitting bike helmet. To preserve the natural areas of the park, bicycles are limited to roadways and are not permitted on footpaths, boardwalks, restroom ramps, or the nature trail. |
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CanoeingCanoeing and kayaking are outstanding in Curry Hammock State Park. Human powered boats may be carried to the waterfront and launched from both the day-use area and campground. The shallow waters are usually calm with gentle currents. There are miles of shoreline on both the Atlantic and Bay of Florida sides of the park and a beautiful mangrove creek to explore. There are no facilities for powerboats in the park, and most of the waters within the park are a no combustion zone. |
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FacilitiesA bathhouse with hot showers is located in the campground for registered campers only. For daytime visitors a bathhouse with a cold outdoor shower is located in the day-use area. All facilities are fully accessible.
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Fishing
Fishing is allowed within the park. The flats often hold permit and bonefish, and the channel alongside the park has produced sizable sharks, snapper, snook, and more. Florida fishing regulations apply within the park, and spearguns are prohibited at all times.
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Full Facility Camping
A 28-site campground, located along the oceanfront, is open from November 1 through May 31 each year. Most sites have a gravel parking area for cars and RVs, and most have an adjoining sand area for pitching a tent. The sites without a sandbox are 10-19, 21, and 26. Tents may be placed on these sites as well, but the gravel is more coarse. Site 1 is ADA accessible. Reservations are made through Reserve America at 1-866-I CAMP FL up to 11 months in advance. The campground fills quickly in winter, so make your plans early.
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Hiking/Nature TrailsA 1.5-mile nature trail winds through the hardwood hammock. The tread is uneven and appropriate footware is recommended. |
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Inline SkatingInline skating is permitted on the park's roadways, and on the Overseas Heritage Multi-use Trail. |
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Pet CampingPets must be confined, leashed (not to exceed six feet in length) or otherwise under the physical control of a person at all times. Tethered pets must not be left unattended for more than 30 minutes. Quiet hours must be observed from 11:00 p.m. - 8:00 a.m. Pet owners must pick up after their pets and properly dispose of all pet droppings in trash receptacles. Florida law requires that pets be vaccinated against rabies. Any pet that is noisy, dangerous, intimidating or destructive will not be allowed to remain in the park. Non-furbearing pets, such as reptiles, birds, or fish must be confined or under the physical control of the owner. Some animals may be prohibited on park property. Failure to abide by these rules may result in the camper being asked to board the pet outside the park or to leave the campground. |
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PetsPets are not allowed on beaches, in picnic shelters, or in the bathhouses. In the areas where pets are allowed they must be on a six-foot hand held leash and be well behaved at all times. For more information, see the Official Pet Policy. |
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Picnic AreaThe picnic area is located on the southeast end of the park and has 4 pavilions, each with a barbecue grill and 4 picnic tables. These pavilions may be reserved for $53.75 for a full day or $32.25 for a half-day including tax. Please contact the ranger station at (305) 289-2690 for availability and reservations. When not reserved these pavilions are available on a first-come basis. Other picnic tables are spread out along the waterfront. Pavilion 1 is ADA accessible.
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PlaygroundA playground is available in the picnic area. |
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RV Camping
All 28 campsites offer water and 15/30/50 amp electric hookups, and a dump station is available within the campground. All sites are reserved through Reserve America. |
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ShowersHot showers are available in the campground for registered campers only. For daytime visitors a cold outdoor shower is located near the picnic area. All facilities are fully accessible.
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SnorkelingSnorkeling is available in designated areas. The water in the park is generally shallow and the bottom covered with seagrass. This natural community is different from the tropical reef most commonly associated with the Florida Keys, but as one of the most productive marine communities, it is teaming with fish and invertebrate life, and is essential for the well-being of the reef. |
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SwimmingSwimming is available in designated areas. In general, the water is shallow and the currents and waves gentle. |
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Wildlife Viewing
The park is an excellent place to observe wading and shore birds. Herons, egrets, ibis, plovers, and sanderlings are commonly seen. Raptors are also frequently seen, particularly during migration periods. The park lies on an important bird migration route. Each fall, Hawk Watch International sponsors a census of the raptors passing through the park. In the summer, the endangered White-crowned pigeon is frequently seen in the hammock feeding on poisonwood berries. Curry Hammock is part of the South Florida Birding Trail. The grass flats are home to many interesting species like spotted rays and nurse sharks, and are teaming with baitfish...pelicans, herons, bald eagles, and osprey are often seen hunting there. Manatees and porpoise are sometimes seen from the park when they come in close to feed. The Key Vaca raccoon is present in the park. This threatened subspecies is easily acclimated to man, but please don't feed them. Human food is unhealthy for them, and encourages aggressive behavior. |












