View source for Long Key State Park

{{Short description|State park in Florida, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{more citations needed|date=March 2015}}
{{Infobox protected area
| name = Long Key State Park
|photo = Gfp-florida-keys-long-key-state-park-landscape-view.jpg
| iucn_category = V
| map = Florida#USA
| map_caption = 
| location = [[Monroe County, Florida]], United States
| nearest_city = [[Long Key]], [[Florida]]
| coordinates = {{coord|24|49|01|N|80|49|12|W|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| area = {{convert|965|acre|km2}}
| established = 
| visitation_num = 
| visitation_year = 
| governing_body = [[Florida Department of Environmental Protection]]
}}

'''Long Key State Park''' is a {{convert|965|acre|km2|adj=on}} [[Florida State Parks|Florida State Park]] located on [[Long Key]], one of the [[Florida Keys]], in [[Monroe County, Florida|Monroe County]], [[Florida]], [[United States]].  It is at mile marker 67.5 on [[U.S. Route 1 in Florida|U.S. 1]], 67400 Overseas Highway.

==History==
Prehistoric [[coral reef]]s grew here over the course of millennia, when the [[sea level]] was over {{convert|20|ft|m}} deeper. The remnants came to form Long Key, and the rest of the [[Florida Keys]].

The climate and waters provided abundant plant and aquatic life for the [[Calusa]], who settled in the area long before [[Spanish people|Spanish explorers]] arrived.

"Cayo Vivora", or Rattlesnake Key, is what the first Spaniards called the island, since to them it resembled a snake with its jaws open.

By the early twentieth century, Long Key became an important depot for the completed [[Overseas Railroad#Key West Extension: Eighth Wonder of the World|Key West Extension]] of the [[Florida East Coast Railroad]]. The railroad's founder, [[Henry Morrison Flagler|Henry Flagler]], also established the [[Long Key Fishing Camp]], a resort that attracted the greatest [[Seawater|saltwater]] [[fishermen]] from around the world. But it did not last for long, when in 1935, the [[Labor Day Hurricane of 1935|Labor Day hurricane]] devastated the Club, the railroad, and much of the Keys.

The land that came to comprise the park was acquired between 1961 and 1973, with the official opening in 1969.

==Biology==
The plant life at Long Key originated in the [[Caribbean]]. Trees include [[mangrove]], West Indian mahogany (''[[Swietenia mahagoni]]''), Jamaica fish poisontree (''[[Piscidia piscipula]]''), poisonwood (''[[Metopium toxiferum]]''), gumbo-limbo (''[[Bursera simaruba]]'') and oysterwood (''[[Gymnanthes lucida]]'').

The shallow waters are a haven for saltwater fish and other marine life. Numerous [[Wader|wading birds]] can be seen, especially during the winter.

===Gallery===
<gallery>
File:Long Key.jpg|Sunset from the campground.
File:Magnificent Frigate Birds - Long Key State Park.jpg|[[Magnificent frigatebird]]s
File:Reddish Egret - Long Key State Park.jpg|[[Reddish egret]]
File:Reddish Egret & Snowy Egret - Long Key State Park, Florida.jpg|[[Reddish egret]] with a [[great egret]] looking on.
File:Osprey - Long Key State Park.jpg|[[Osprey]]
File:Little blue heron at Long Key State Park 2019-12-04.jpg|[[Little blue heron]]
</gallery>

==Recreational activities==
Activities include [[Human swimming|swimming]], [[snorkeling]], [[kayaking]], [[picnicking]], [[hiking]], and birding as well as full facility [[camping]]. Amenities include two [[nature trail]]s (The Golden Orb Trail, and Layton Trail), picnic areas, restrooms, and 60 full-facility campsites.

==References==
<references />
* Molloy, Jonny [https://books.google.com/books?id=sKluSPO6EgAC&pg=PA153 "The Best in Tent Camping Florida"]. p.&nbsp;153.

==External links==
* [https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/long-key-state-park Long Key State Park] at [https://www.floridastateparks.org Florida State Parks]
* [http://www.stateparks.com/long_key.html Long Key State Park] at State Parks
* [http://www.abfla.com/parks/LongKey/longkey.html Long Key State Park] at Absolutely Florida

{{Protected areas of Florida}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:State parks of Florida]]
[[Category:Parks in the Florida Keys]]
[[Category:Beaches of Monroe County, Florida]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in the Florida Keys]]
[[Category:Protected areas established in 1969]]
[[Category:Parks in Monroe County, Florida]]
[[Category:Beaches of Florida]]