A Traveler’s Guide To Fort Zachary Taylor State Park

Fort Zachary Taylor State Park is a great place to spend the day in Key West. It is absolutely beautiful and home to one of the best beaches on the island.⠀

In this post, you will read everything you need to know about visiting Fort Zachary Taylor State Park.

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🎫 If you’d like to go on a tour, check out the best tours to take in Key West

How to get to Fort Zachary Taylor State Park

Fort Zachary Taylor State Park is located on the southern edge of Key West. It is accessible by car, bike, and even on foot. The city is well signaled and it is very easy to get to the park.

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Park entrance fee

If you go by car, the park entrance fee depends on the number of people in the vehicle: 1 person = $4.50, 2 persons = $7.00 and each additional one is +$0.50. If you come walking or riding a bike, then the entrance is only $2.50.

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Finding a place to stay in Key West

If you haven’t booked a hotel in Key West yet, that’s okay! Here are some of our favorites:

• Best Hotel: Pier House Resort & Spa
• Boutique Hotel: The Marquesa Hotel
• Pet-friendly: The Perry Hotel Key West
• For families: Southernmost Resort
• Hotel Pool: Hyatt Centric
• Oceanfront: Casa Marina Key West, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
• Best Spa: Ocean Key Resort & Spa
• Adult only: H2O Suites

Read: The Best Hotels and Resorts In Key West

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A little history lesson

Fort Zachary Taylor was built in 1971 and is one of the most history-filled places in South Florida. It is famous for its role in the Civil War and has what is considered to be the largest collection of Civil War cannons in the United States. Today, Fort Zachary Taylor State Park is a National Historic Landmark and you can read more about its history on their website.

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Important Tips for your visit

• Fort Zachary Taylor State Park is pet-friendly, but dogs are only allowed on leashes.
• The sand at the beach is very rocky – don’t forget your flip-flops.
• The rock wall is the best place ever to watch the sunset

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Best things to do in Fort Zachary Taylor State Park

For every kind of visitor, there are many things to do in Fort Zachary Taylor.

Here are some of my favorites:

SNORKELING

Fort Zachary Taylor State Park is one of the best places to snorkel in the Florida Keys! You can take your own equipment or rent it at the park.

If you have never snorkeled before, it is a good place to learn before snorkeling in Dry Tortugas.

GO SWIMMING

The beach at Fort Zachary Taylor is amazing for swimming. The water is warm and clear.

EXPLORE THE FORT

If you love American History, make sure to take the time to explore the great fort that names the park. There are daily tours of the fort at 11 am but you can tour it on your own if you want to.

BIKING

Biking in Fort Zachary Taylor is a delight! There are several biking trails and bike racks for you to enjoy.

BIRD WATCHING

The park is absolutely perfect for bird-lovers since it’s part of The Great Florida Birding Trail.

HIKING

Walk the Tropical Hammock Trail to see native Floridian plants you won’t find anywhere else.

BARBEQUE

Yes! You can absolutely have a Fort Zachary Taylor barbeque. Near the beach, there are a few grills avaiable for use. Just make sure to get there early because they might get taken if you are late.

WATCH THE SUNSET

The sunset at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park is absolutely stunning. The view of the sunset from the beach is great but I highly recommend watching it from the rock wall.

HAVE A PICNIC

Another fun thing to do is having a picnic at the park. Just make sure to clean after yourself if you do.

Wrap-up: Visiting Fort Zachary Taylor State Park

That’s a wrap! Fort Zachary Taylor is a fantastic place to visit in Key West and I’m sure you will love it as much as I did.

For more travel tips, make sure to follow me on Instagram.

You might also enjoy:

• 32 Epic things to do in Key West
• The best hotels and resorts to stay in Key West
• The Ultimate Key West Packing Guide
• Great books to read on your next Key West vacation

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