Dagny Johnson State Park in Key Largo is the perfect place to spend an afternoon hiking, birdwatching, and picnicking when you’re in the Florida Keys.
Dagny Johnson State Park Beginnings
What was once slated to be a sprawling condominium project turned into the largest tract of West Indian tropical hardwood hammock in the United States. Largely thanks to the efforts if Dagny Johnson, who moved to Key Largo in 1967. Being concerned about the over development of the Keys, she started the Upper Keys Citizen Association in 1971. She, along with other citizens were alarmed at the thought of the hammock being clear cut to make room for oceanfront Mediterranean style condos. Luckily for everybody, besides the developers, the state acquired that property and others, in all almost 2,500 acres, in 1982.
The park contains 84 protected species including the American crocodile, the Key Largo woodrat, and we can’t forget the Key Largo cotton mouse. It’s rare to see the small mammals, but you might catch a glimpse of the endangered Schaus’ swallowtail butterfly if you’re lucky.
Dagny Johnson State Park Features
There are actually two sections to Dagny Johnson State Park, the main section is about 1/2 mile from the Overseas Highway, and the backcountry section is about 7 miles further north.
The main section entrance is actually the roads and arch that were going to be part of the condo development. There is a nature trail, plus picnic pavilions, and composting restrooms. The fee is $2.50 per person, and you can drop it in the Iron Ranger at the entrance. Cash only, no cards. The park is open 365 days a year from 8 a.m. until sunset. Don’t forget to bring Rusty because dogs are allowed, just keep him on a leash.
Once inside, there is a 1–2-mile nature trail that can be walked or biked. If you’re going to walk, some type of sturdy waterproof shoe is recommended as the trail can get wet and marshy at certain times. One of the days that we were there it was raining pretty hard and the main trail was relatively dry. If you’re biking, it’s best to use a fat tire bike for the same reason.
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The trail is two loops through the hardwood hammock. Along the trail you will find signage with information about the different trees and plants that make up the forest. There are also quarries that once were used for stone for the roads but are now filled with water. The second half of the loop may not be passable at times due to flooding. There are ranger led tours available, check with the park office for scheduling.
When you’re on the trail, you’ll want to stay on the trail not only to avoid damaging the protected species, but the hammock also is home to the poisonwood and manchineel trees. The poisonwood is like poison ivy on steroids, while the manchineel will just straight up kill you.
There are nine state parks and one underwater archeological state park in the Florida Keys. Read about them here and start planning your next Florida Keys vacation!
Birding and Butterfly Watching
While you’re walking keep an eye out for migratory birds and resident species. Tropical birds such as the yellow-billed cuckoo and the Bahama mockingbird are known to frequent the area. Other species include the white crowned pigeon, the white-eyed vireo and black-whiskered vireo.
There is also a butterfly park along the trail where you can stop and hang out with the butterflies. Some of the species that you can see are the endangered Schaus’ swallowtail, hammock and mangrove skippers, and the silver-banded hairstreak. Not only are there butterflies fluttering in this section, but there are also rare tree snails that feed on the bark, so check the trees closely.
Keep track of your Florida Keys vacation in one of our travel size journals. Or maybe keep track of those rare butterflies that you saw. Lined pages with a slight image of the cover on each page. Hardcover or paperback.
Back Country at Dagny Johnson State Park
About 7 miles north of the entrance to Dagny Johnson State Park is another section of the park. Considered backcountry, you need to get a permit at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park before you can hike it. If that’s something that you want to do, there are about 6 miles of trails, some wooded, others in marshy areas so be prepared. And just like in the main park, there are poisonwood and manchineel trees, so you’ll want to stay away from those. Even just standing under them while it’s raining is enough to give you a reaction, especially if you’re prone to poison ivy allergies.
Poisonous trees and crocodiles aren’t the only thing that you have to watch out for, the ravenous mosquito likes to hang out in the park, so be sure to bring your insect repellent.
Take some time on your Florida Keys vacation and explore Dagny Johnson State Park. Whether you’re there to hike and bike, or you just want to enjoy a picnic on your way to Key West, you’ll see what the Keys actually looked like long ago.
