Henry Flagler's railroad to Key West turned the remote island of Bahia Honda Key into a tropical destination. Today, the island is home to one of Florida's southernmost state parks, known for beautiful beaches, magnificent sunsets, and excellent snorkeling. Visitors can picnic on the beach and take a swim, or simply relax and enjoy the balmy sea breezes that caress the shores year-round. Anglers can fish from shore or bring a boat and launch at the boat ramp. The park's concession rents kayaks and snorkeling gear and offers boat trips to the reef for snorkeling excursions. Bahia Honda is an excellent place to see wading birds and shorebirds. The nature center can introduce nature lovers to the island's unique plants and animals. Full-facility campsites and vacation cabins are available. Located 12 miles south of Marathon.

In more modern times, the park was part of Henry Flagler?s East Coast Railway holdings. The railroad to Key West was started in 1905 and was jokingly referred to as "Flagler?s Folly." It was eventually completed in 1912 but later destroyed by a hurricane in 1935. The railroad remains were converted into what is known today as U.S. Highway 1.

Presently, the Old Bahia Honda Bridge serves as a reminder of Flagler?s dream. The bridge offers visitors a panoramic view of the island and surrounding waters.

Since the initial purchase of the first 13 acres of the park in 1961, Bahia Honda has become well-known as a recreational treasure in the Keys.

Annual Entrance Passes can be purchased at all park ranger stations and museums. If you require immediate use of your pass, this is the best option. Passes can be purchased during regular business hours 365 days a year. Please call the park in advance to ensure availability. Those who are eligible for discounted or free passes may use this method to receive their pass. Annual Entrance Passes may be purchased online by visiting the FLORIDA STATE PARKS ANNUALENTRANCE PASSES web page.

Three duplex cabins (6 units) are furnished with accommodations for up to a maximum of 6 people per cabin. Each cabin is equipped with kitchen appliances, utensils and linens. The cabins have a full bath, central A/C and heat, 2 bedrooms and a living room area. The cabins are on stilts and accessible by steps only, no lift is currently available. Each cabin has a porch above and a wood deck on ground level with a picnic table and grill. The road to the cabins has a vehicle height restriction of 6?8" . Your vehicle has to be able to go under the New Bahia Honda Bridge. Reservations are required 11 months in advance during the winter months, weekends and holidays.

Full Facility Camping

There are 3 different campgrounds in the park. Reservations may be made up to 11 months in advance, the sites book quickly so make your plans well in advance. Buttonwood- (#1 - #48) This campground can accommodate a variety of camping rigs from a large RV to a small tent. The sites are more suitable for an RV or pop-up because they are gravel. The Buttonwood sites have very little shade and are the largest sites in the park. They all have electricity, water, a picnic table and grill. There is also a bathhouse with hot showers and a dump station for sewage. The waterfront sites in this area are #12 - #25, but keep in mind #12 and #13 are by the boat docks and #14 is on the channel coming into the boat docks. Sandspur- (#49 - #72) These sites are the most beautiful in the park but are very small and have low clearance. They are located in a very rare habitat called a hardwood hammock. Tents can fit on all of these sites and a few sites will accommodate small pop-ups. RVs are not permitted in this area, the sites are much too small. All of these sites have a picnic table, grill and water, #57 - #72 also have electricity. The waterfront sites in this area are #64 - #72. Bayside- (#73 - #80) This campground is the smallest with only 8 sites and no electricity. Bayside campground has a vehicle height restriction, like the cabins, of 6 feet 8 inches. Your vehicle has to be able to go under the New Bahia Honda Bridge. The sites have a picnic table, grill and water. There is a small bathhouse nearby with outside cold showers and no electricity. You are welcome to use the large bathhouse in the Buttonwood campground that is one-half mile away.