Experiences & Amenities
Experiences
Cycling is a popular and well-established method of travel in the Keys. Be sure to follow standard bicycle safety practices of riding in the direction of traffic and using extreme caution along the bridges.
Existing sections of the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail for cycling are shown on the trail map. Several bike shops along the corridor offer bike rentals and/or repairs.
There may be community events, road projects, utility repairs, etc., that impact our trail throughout the 106 miles of the Florida Keys. Although they impact the trail, we don’t always have control over the activities being performed by other agencies and groups and may not have up-to-date information on them.
Safety Concerns
- Helmets are recommended for all cyclists. Florida law requires helmets for cyclists age 16 and younger. A summary of Florida bicycle safety laws may be found at Florida Bicycle Law.
- Bring water, sunscreen and bug spray.
- Obey all traffic laws.
- When bicycling on a trail or dirt road shared with hikers or equestrians, be respectful of others. Learn more about our state park rules and trail etiquette.
- Bicycles, including electric bicycles, may be used on trails designated for bicycle use with the park system, consistent with Section 316.20655, Florida Statutes.
- All bicycles should operate in a safe manner.
As it follows the path of an important migration route, the FKOHT offers great opportunities to observe a rich variety of birds, including many types of wading birds and shorebirds. The Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail offers a self-guided experience in learning about the species that may be found in this area.
To help protect birds and marine life from the hazards of becoming entangled in discarded fishing line, there are recycling bins placed at the ends of the trail's fishing bridges, and trail volunteers frequently assist with the monofilament recycling program.
Fishing is allowed on many of the trail’s historic bridges. Cantilevered fishing platforms have been added to the sides of selected bridges including the Channel Two Historic Bridge, Tom’s Harbor Cut and Tom’s Harbor Channel historic bridges and the Long Key Bridge.
Rules for shared use of the bridges are posted at the ends of each bridge, along with recycling containers for unwanted fishing line. Improperly discarded fishing gear can endanger marine life.
- All fishing within the park must conform to regulations concerning size, number, method of capture and season. A fishing license may be required. More information is available at the Florida Wildlife Commission’s Fishing in Florida.
One of the best ways to experience the Keys' colorful communities and beautiful scenery is on foot. The longest, continuous section of paved trail is located in the Upper Keys between mile marker 106 at Key Largo and through Mile Marker 72 at Islamorada, Village of Islands.
Other sections of trail have been completed as noted on the map. Where there is no existing trail, hikers may, with caution, follow the shoulders of the road since the trail generally parallels U.S. Highway 1.
The trail offers easy access to many kayaking and canoeing opportunities along the corridor, including sea kayaking within this designated segment of the Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail.
Kayak rentals are available through several outfitters and special eco-tours can be booked through various sources. Points of interest along the paddling trail are noted on the trail map.
The trail offers access to many points of interest with opportunities for wildlife viewing, including the Everglades National Park, Biscayne National Park, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, the Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge, Key Deer National Wildlife Refuge, Crocodile Lakes National Wildlife Refuge and Key West National Marine Sanctuary as well as 10 state parks.
Amenities
The turquoise waters surrounding the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail invite trail users to enjoy boating activities. Boat ramps are available at several of the state parks in the Keys, with some offering marina facilities. There are also ramps managed by the FKOHT at other locations, as marked on the trail map.
- John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park has a deepwater boat ramp located at the marina. This ramp can handle most boats up to 36 feet in length.
The historic railroad bridges built by Henry Flagler in the early 1900s to connect the Florida Keys to the United States mainland for the first time are now a central component of the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail.
On January 22, 1912, Henry Flagler rode the railroad to Key West where the project was heralded by the press as the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” Today, all of the remaining 23 Flagler Railroad Bridges have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Trail users can travel the path of Flagler’s famous rail journey as they cross these bridges, and they can learn more about Flagler’s historic achievement at the Pigeon Key Museum just south of Marathon. At the trail’s end in Key West, there are many more historic and cultural points of interest to explore, including Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park.