Golden Orb Trail

Long Key State Park -- Golden Orb Trail

Long Key State Park is located just at just about the midway point of the Florida Keys. Its 67 miles from Key West and just about as far from the mainland making it quite a convenient place to stay during a visit to the Keys. Strung out along the southern part of the key between the Overseas Highway and the ocean the park boasts a nice picnic area, boat launch, 51 ocean-front campsites, and a pleasant 1.2 mile hiking path known as the Golden Orb Trail.

The trail itself is very easy to follow and, as you'd expect in these parts, pretty flat. It loops through a number of different types of habitats commonly found in the keys from hardwood hammocks to mangrove swamps, to open beaches. It has a well deserved positive reputation amongst botanists and birders alike. Although personally I'm rather ignorant of the flora and fauna of southern Florida I hope this album gives you an enjoyable introduction, as it did me, to the natural communities of the Florida Keys...


Trailhead GPS Coordinates:  24.814235, -80.821391


Route Type:  Loop

Difficulty:  EASY

Hike Length: 1.2 miles

Hike Duration: 1:00

Trailhead Temp: 70'F

Elevation: 3' 


Trails Used (blaze color):  Golden Orb Trail (unblazed)


  • KW

    on January 23, 2013

    forgot to rate the album -- well done!

  • KW

    on January 23, 2013

    Awesome! Quite the place! Love those sponges -- and the locations make me, too, smile!