FORT ZACHARY TAYLOR STATE PARK, KEY WEST
Where
Fort Zachary Taylor State Park is located at 601 Howard England Way, Key West FL 33040.
Vibe
Snorkeling and swimming amidst breathtaking tropical scenery. Key West’s favorite beach beckons you to splash into its turquoise, clear waters to enjoy a swim or a wade-in snorkeling expedition, while Fort Taylor’s magnificent natural beauty sets the stage for outdoor activities and offers a chance to immerse yourself in history.
See, feel
Bordered by swaying palms and fragrant pines, the much beloved ‘Rocky Beach’ promises a feast for the senses. Sailboats silently glide past on impossibly emerald-hued waters, while jet skiers challenge each other to a race.
The beach is manmade, a sprawling, narrow paradise of brown sand and pebbles. Sited next to the main shipping channel, with currents that keep the water clean and clear, this park boasts the best swimming and wade-in snorkeling on the island. Shallow, but deep enough to swim, the nearby breakwaters teem with parrot fish, schools of yellowtail snapper, lobster, and colorful corals.
Water shoes are recommended because of the rocky sea bottom.
On or near the beach
Beachgoers can enjoy swimming, snorkeling, paddling and fishing, while history comes to life with a stroll through the red brick corridors of Fort Taylor, a National Historic Monument housing the largest cache of Civil War armament in the world. Other park activities include birding, biking, Scuba diving, tours, events, walking and running.
Fuel the fun with a picnic, or visit the Cayo Hueso Café for refreshments on an umbrella-shaded deck.
Accessibility
Fort Zachary Taylor offers beach wheelchairs free of charge. Inquire on the beach at the Cayo Hueso Café or contact the park office for assistance.
Accessible amenities include parking; restrooms; shower stations; picnic facilities with tables and grills; ground-level areas of the fort; interpretive panels; and Cayo Hueso Café.
Service animals are welcome in all areas of Florida State Parks.
Facilities
At Fort Zachary Taylor, you’ll find a canoe/kayak launch; gardens; a Civil War era fort; an interpretative exhibit; a nature trail; restrooms; two shower stations; and a small gift shop where you can pick up sunscreen, towels and snorkel gear.
Cayo Hueso Café serves up food and refreshments, while a chickee hut rents chairs, umbrellas, snorkel gear and bikes.
Lifeguards
No lifeguards are on duty; swim at your own risk.
Parking
Parking is included with the park admittance fee.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT FORT ZACHARY TAYLOR HISTORIC STATE PARK
Q. Where is Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park?
A. Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park sits at the southwestern tip of Key West, at the end of Southard Street through the Truman Annex. It is the southernmost state park in the continental United States.
The park pairs a Civil War-era brick fort with the beach most locals point visitors toward, which makes it an unusual stop: a historic site and a swimming beach on the same ticket.
Q. What are the hours?
A. The park is open from 8 a.m. until sundown, 365 days a year. The fort itself closes earlier, at 5 p.m., so come well before then if the historic structure is your reason for visiting.
Current hours and entrance fees are on the park's hours and fees page.
Q. What is the beach like?
A. The beach is manmade, a sprawling, narrow paradise of brown sand and pebbles. Sited next to the main shipping channel, with currents that keep the water clean and clear, this park boasts the best swimming and wade-in snorkeling on the island. Shallow, but deep enough to swim, the nearby breakwaters teem with parrot fish, schools of yellowtail snapper, lobster, and colorful corals.
Water shoes are recommended because of the rocky sea bottom.
Conditions vary day to day, so check what the water is doing when you arrive rather than assuming.
Q. Is the snorkeling good?
A. This is the park's main draw for many visitors. Beginner friendly, you can snorkel straight from shore here. Tropical fish and other marine life are often visible not far out, helped by the rocky bottom and the nearby channel, which acts as a migratory route for fish moving between the Gulf and the Atlantic Ocean, concentrating tropical species around the park's rock jetties and breakwaters.
Visibility and current change with the day and the tide, so look before you swim out. Snorkel with a buddy, and rent gear on site if you did not bring your own.
Q. Are there lifeguards?
A. No. This beach is not staffed with lifeguards, so you swim at your own risk.
Keep a close eye on children and on anyone snorkeling, and stay out of the water if conditions are rough.
Q. What amenities are there?
A. The park has restrooms, outdoor shower stations, and picnic areas with grills under the pines and palms behind the beach.
The Cayo Hueso Café sells snacks, cold drinks, beach sundries and souvenirs, and a beachside rental hut offers chairs, umbrellas, snorkel gear and bicycles. See the park's experiences and amenities page for the full list.
Q. Can I tour the fort?
A. Yes. The fort dates to the mid-1800s and houses the largest collection of Civil War armament in the world. It is open until 5 p.m., closing earlier than the park itself.
Q. Can I bring my dog?
A. Pets are welcome in the park but not on the beach and not inside the fort. They must be kept on a hand-held leash no longer than six feet and be well behaved at all times.
Owners are expected to pick up after them. Confirm current rules on the official park page before you bring your dog.
Q. Is the park accessible for visitors with mobility needs?
A. Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park is committed to providing a variety of amenities accessible to all visitors. These amenities include:
- Ground-level areas of the fort.
- Interpretive panels.
- Cayo Hueso Café.
- Beach wheelchairs are available free of charge. Inquire on the beach at the Cayo Hueso Café or contact the park office for assistance.
- Shower station.
- Picnic facilities with tables and grills.
- Parking.
- Restrooms.
Service animals are welcome in all areas of Florida State Parks.
Q. What about sea turtles?
A. Sea turtle nesting season in the Florida Keys runs April 15 through Oct. 31, a different window from mainland Florida.
During those months, leave nests and markers undisturbed, fill in holes, take beach gear with you at the end of the day, and keep lights off the beach after dark. See the state's guidance on sea turtles and lights.
Q. Where can I eat?
A. The Cayo Hueso Café inside the park handles snacks and drinks without leaving the sand.
Beyond the gate, the whole of Old Town Key West, including Duval Street, the Historic Seaport and the surrounding blocks, is a short drive or bike ride away.
Q. When is the best time to visit?
A. Winter and early spring bring the driest, mildest weather and the island's peak season, so expect company and arrive early for parking. Spring break brings notably bigger crowds to Key West.
Summer is hot and humid with the warmest water and afternoon thunderstorms. The park is also a well-known sunset spot, given its west-facing position at the island's tip.
