Dagny Johnson Botanical State Park – Overlooked and Beautiful on Key Largo

With ten State Parks in the Florida Keys, can you visit all of them in one trip? Maybe not, but an easy one to enjoy is Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park. I know that’s a long name, so we’ll just call it Dagny Johnson State Park from here. So what is a Botanical State Park? Places like Long Key State Park (a very long key full of nature) or Windley Key Fossil Reef State Park (cool fossilize reef quarry) are pretty clear what you’re visiting, and with Dagny Johnson State Park you can guess too: it’s a large preserve of some of the botanical treasures of the Florida Keys, and in particular a hardwood forest.

We’ve got the full scoop and what you’ll find at Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park and how best to enjoy it. It’s a park to enjoy on foot and is NOT a snorkeling destination. It’s beautiful and quiet and perfect to add to your things to do on Key Largo. If you have any questions about visiting Dagny Johnson State Park or need additional recommendations, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help you plan a great trip to the Florida Keys.

Why Visit Dagny Johnson Botanical State Park

So is Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park worth visiting? I think so, even if you’re not into plants. After the long drive down into the Florida Keys, it feels really good to get out and walk, which is just what you can do here. With 6+ miles of level trails through the hardwood hammock forest, through mangroves and past sunken limestone pools, there are all sort of sights to enjoy here. Dagny Johnson State Park has an easy to navigate trail system with spur trails connecting the larger ones, and many of them are wheelchair accessible, and all of them (except the small bunny trail connectors) are stroller accessible.

When you visit Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park give yourself at least an hour and a half so that you can do the different trails and enjoy Florida Keys birdwatching along the way. In addition to birds like cormorants, mangrove cuckoos and herons, you can also watch for iguanas. I know, there are iguanas all through the Keys, but here they’re in the forest and are in a much more natural environment than when you see them beside the pool. I love seeing wildlife of all sorts, and when you’re at Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park it’s just such a different place than the rest of the Florida Keys.

The “botanical” side of visiting Dagny Johnson State Park is a particular trail, the Botanical Trail. As you walk this path you’ll see that many of the plants and trees are labled, help you identify them as you continue on your hike. From the famous gumbo limbo trees to the wild coffee that’s found in South Florida, you’ll have a whole list of things to research on a rainy day after you complete the botanical trail. It’s beautiful and there are plenty of benches all along the way. Most of Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park is shaded, so even if you’re visiting the Florida Keys in the summer, you’ll be able to stay out of the sun for a good portion of your time here.

Tips for a Exploring Dagny Johnson State Park

I think Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park is a great option to keep in your back pocket when you’re visiting Key Largo and it’s a bit windy. A lot of snorkeling and boat tours will cancel when the winds are picking up and the seas are rough, but the trails here remain open (same with windy days on Marathon when there’s not good kayaking but the Curry Hammock State Park trails stay open). When you’re hiking in the hardwood hammock forest you’re quite sheltered from the wind, so this is a great foul weather day activity for all ages. If you’re visiting with kids you can make it a bit of a scavenger hunt, having them look for wildlife or different sorts of plants and trees.

As you’re planning your visit to Dagny Johnson State Park, you don’t have to do all of the trails. Depending on how much time you have and your level of interest, you can just do some of the trails, as they’re all connected. Here are my suggestions based on how much I enjoy each one, and then they do connect in this order as well:

• begin and head toward the BLUE Coastal Spur Trail turning to the right to the end
• Next, follow the BLUE trail back to the PURPLE Bougainville Trail (the main loop) and turn left
• Follow to the RED Hammock Trail and turn left, veering right when you have the option
• this takes you to the YELLOW Botanical Trail and will lead you to the exit.

You can extend your time by doing this in reverse, starting with the PURPLE Bougainville Trail and doing its full loop. The trails here are a great option if you have activities being cancelled due to wind and weather, such as snorkeling tours or the Pennekamp Glass Bottom Boat.

Is there Camping at Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park?

That’s a good questions, and the answer is YES!!! I say yes with a caveat: it’s for people doing the Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail. There is a campsite at the end of the Coastal Spur trail that even has a restroom (pit toilet), but you cannot just pull up in your car and hike your gear here. You need to reserve this campsite in advance and need to be arriving via paddle craft (kayak or canoe). If you’re looking for camping in Key Largo, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park has campsites.

Being Prepared for Dagny Johnson Botanical State Park

Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park is an easy place to visit with minimal preparation. You can arrive just with your good walking shoes and be ready to go. I don’t find this to be a very mosquito prone trail, but bugs come and go so it’s best to be prepared with bug spray. Walking through the hardwood hammock and through mangroves, these area are very common places for mosquitoes and no-see-ums, so it’s best to be prepared.

The same goes for sunblock. While most of Dagny Johnson State Park is shady trails, there are stretches in the sunlight so if you’re sensitive to too much sunshine, you need to protect yourself. I like having a small umbrella in my backpack if it’s too hot. There’s a lot to be said for keeping your own portable shade in your back pocket.

Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park is a good birdwatching area so if you’re into it, bring your binoculars and good camera. There are lots of different habitats within the park that are home to quite a few different bird species. While I haven’t seen roseate spoonbills here myself, at low tide, the coastal spur trail would be a good place to look for them. You’ll likely see cormorants and green herons on this trail as well. Make sure you pack plenty of water and probably some snacks if you’re doing the full network of trails. There are no services or potable water stations within Dagny Johnson State Park so you need to bring those things yourself.

Getting to Dagny Johnson State Park on Key Largo

When you first arrive in the Florida Keys driving the Overseas Highway from Miami/Homestead, right when you come down the bridge onto Key Largo, you’ll make a left towards Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park. It’s less than a mile to the park entrance, which you can’t miss. There’s a large Spanish-style entry gate with parking before it. There is room for likely 14 cars, including handicap accessible parking. When you arrive, there is a State Park fee which can either be put in an envelope or paid online through the QR code provided at the entrance. The cost is $2.50 per person, and I think it’s well worth it. It’s a beautiful place to explore and it’s one of the most quiet, peaceful spots in the Florida Keys.