Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park

Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park is a hidden gem located on the northern end of Key Largo, offering a glimpse into the unique ecosystem of the Florida Keys. This park is one of the largest tracts of tropical hardwood hammock in the U.S., home to over 80 protected species of plants and animals, including the rare and beautiful Key Largo woodrat and the American crocodile. The park’s network of walking trails winds through lush, shaded forests filled with native orchids, mahogany trees, and wild tamarind, making it a paradise for nature enthusiasts and those looking to experience an authentic, untouched side of Florida’s landscape.

Visitors can enjoy self-guided nature trails, bird-watching, and guided tours that reveal the area’s rich biodiversity and its importance as a conservation site. The park also has interpretive signs along the trails that provide fascinating insights into the rare plant life and history of the Keys' ecosystem. Unlike the more crowded areas of the Keys, Dagny Johnson Park is a tranquil retreat where visitors can slow down, spot native wildlife, and enjoy the peace of a pristine natural environment.

The park is home to endangered or vulnerable species in Florida and the United States. Some of the unique species found in the Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park are:

White-crowned Pigeon (Patagioenas leucocephala)

Key Largo Woodrat
(Neotoma floridana smalli)

Great White Heron
(Ardea herodias occidentalis)

Cigar Orchid
(Cyrtopodium punctatum)

West Indian Mahogany
(Swietenia mahagoni)

Eastern Indigo Snake
(Drymarchon couperi)

Locustberry
(Byrsonima lucida)

Mangrove Cuckoo
(Coccyzus minor)

Miami Blue Butterfly
(Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri)