Resources
Resources for exploring the area
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Exploring Key Largo
At 27 miles long, Key Largo is the largest of the Florida Keys, first settled at Rock Harbor at the northeast tip of the island in 1870.
Thanks to local support and aggressive land purchases over the past fifty years, much of the island will remain tropical forever.
Most of these lands are out of the public view, either along the coastlines or visible on a drive up Card Sound Road. Some exist strictly for wildlife habitat, not open to the public.
This includes the vast salt lakes at Crocodile Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, where indeed, there are crocodiles.
Also protected are coastal mangrove forests at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, and the northernmost Caribbean forests at Key Largo Hammocks Preserve State Park.
Divers flock to Key Largo for the easily accessible coral reefs, and there are dive shops and dive resorts to cater to them.
The easiest way to get your coral fix is a visit to Pennekamp – reservations suggested – for a snorkel, dive, or glass-bottomed boat trip over Molasses Reef.
It’s on Key Largo you’ll first notice the bicycle paths alongside US 1. The Florida Overseas Heritage Trail starts (or ends, depending on your direction) here.
It largely follows the route of the historic Overseas Railroad to Key West, but isn’t an easy ride on much of this island due to the many driveways and road crossings.
US 1 is crowded with businesses and strip malls in clusters, with a welcome break of tropical forest within the Florida Keys WEA at the south end of the island.