Curry Hammock

Curry Hammock State Park encompasses 1,000 acres across several islands in the heart of the Florida Keys, situated between Marathon and Islamorada at mile marker 56-57 on the Overseas Highway. The park preserves the largest undeveloped parcel of land between Key Largo and Big Pine Key, protecting irreplaceable examples of Florida Keys natural communities. Established in 1991, the park was named for Lamar Louise Curry, a beloved Miami teacher whose father Thomas purchased extensive tracts in the Middle and Upper Keys during the early 20th century. Curry Hammock protects rockland hammock, mangrove swamp, seagrass beds, and wetlands that provide habitat for numerous rare and endangered species endemic to the Florida Keys. The park offers camping, hiking, kayaking, and exceptional wildlife observation opportunities.

Curry Hammock State Park serves as a critical wildlife sanctuary within the developed corridor of the Florida Keys. The park provides habitat for endangered Key deer, West Indian manatees, and American crocodiles. Over 80 species of birds have been documented, with the park serving as an important stopover for migratory songbirds and raptors. Curry Hammock hosts record numbers of peregrine falcons each fall during their southward migration. The mangrove-fringed shorelines shelter numerous fish species including tarpon, snook, and various juvenile reef fish. From the beach and kayak launch areas, visitors commonly observe manatees, bottlenose dolphins, nurse sharks, southern stingrays, and sea turtles. The rockland hammock interior supports populations of tree snails, butterflies, and various reptiles including the endangered Miami blue butterfly.

Curry Hammock State Park protects outstanding examples of rockland hammock, the rare tropical hardwood forest found only on the exposed coral rock of the Florida Keys. The hammock contains West Indian species reaching the northern extent of their range, including mahogany, gumbo limbo, poisonwood, pigeon plum, and Jamaica dogwood. The dense canopy creates a shaded understory with wild coffee, marlberry, and various ferns. Extensive mangrove forests dominated by red mangroves line the shorelines, transitioning to black and white mangroves at higher elevations. Seagrass beds offshore provide essential nursery habitat for fish and invertebrates while supporting green sea turtle populations. Salt-tolerant vegetation including sea grape, buttonwood, and various halophytes occupies the transition zone between hammock and mangrove.

Curry Hammock State Park lies on Key Largo limestone, the fossilized coral reef that forms the geological foundation of the Upper and Middle Florida Keys. This coral rock reaches maximum elevations of 10-12 feet above sea level within the park, providing the "high ground" where hardwood trees establish their roots above salt water intrusion. The porous limestone allows tidal water to flow through the substrate, creating the unique conditions that support salt-tolerant tropical forests. Fossil corals and marine organisms are visible in exposed rock throughout the park, evidence of the ancient reef system that built these islands. The Keys formed during the last interglacial period approximately 125,000 years ago when sea levels dropped and exposed the coral reef platform. Solution holes in the limestone create microhabitats for specialized plants and animals.

Curry Hammock State Park experiences a true tropical maritime climate, the warmest conditions found anywhere in the continental United States. Winter temperatures rarely drop below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, with average highs in the mid-70s. Freezing temperatures are exceptionally rare and devastating when they occur, as the tropical vegetation is not adapted to cold. Summers are hot and humid with temperatures in the upper 80s to low 90s, moderated by constant ocean breezes. Annual rainfall averages approximately 40 inches, lower than mainland Florida, with the dry season extending from November through May. Hurricane season from June through November poses the greatest threat, with the low-lying Keys vulnerable to storm surge and wind damage. The surrounding ocean moderates temperature extremes year-round.

The Florida Keys have witnessed thousands of years of human activity, from indigenous peoples who left shell middens and artifacts throughout the archipelago to Spanish explorers who mapped the treacherous reefs in the 16th century. The Calusa and Tequesta peoples utilized the Keys' resources before European contact dramatically changed the region. Wrecking, fishing, and sponging industries supported small settlements in the Keys during the 19th century. Henry Flagler's Overseas Railroad, completed in 1912, transformed the Keys by enabling large-scale development and tourism. The 1935 Labor Day Hurricane destroyed the railroad, which was later converted to the Overseas Highway. Thomas Curry's land purchases preserved significant natural areas from the development boom that followed. His daughter Lamar Louise Curry became a renowned Miami educator whose family's conservation ethic led to the park's creation.

Curry Hammock State Park was established in 1991 when the State of Florida purchased the property rather than allowing it to be developed during the Keys' real estate boom. The park was named in honor of Lamar Louise Curry, celebrating her family's stewardship of these lands for decades. The property had remained largely undeveloped through the 20th century while surrounding areas were transformed by construction of the Overseas Highway and subsequent commercial and residential development. The park's establishment protected the largest remaining undeveloped area in the Middle Keys, preserving critical habitat for native wildlife and providing recreational opportunities for visitors. Facilities including the campground, trails, and day-use areas were developed following acquisition while maintaining the natural character of the property.

Curry Hammock State Park offers diverse recreational opportunities despite its relatively compact size. The 1.5-mile nature trail traverses uneven terrain through the rockland hammock to an overlook of Florida Bay, offering excellent birding and wildlife observation. The park lies along two significant trail systems: the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail and the Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail. Two miles of the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail pass through the park, connecting to the broader multi-use trail system spanning the Keys. The beach area provides swimming, snorkeling, and shore fishing opportunities. Kayak and paddleboard launches access the surrounding seagrass flats and mangrove shorelines. The campground offers prime birding during fall raptor migration when peregrine falcons concentrate in record numbers.

Curry Hammock State Park provides excellent camping facilities within the heart of the Florida Keys. The campground offers 28 sites accommodating tents and RVs, each with a gravel pad, electrical service, water hookup, picnic table, charcoal grill, and hammock posts. Modern restrooms with hot showers and a dump station serve campers. Day-use facilities include a beach area, picnic pavilions, and kayak/paddleboard launch. The park is located along US 1 at mile markers 56-57, approximately 20 minutes south of Islamorada and 20 minutes north of Marathon. The park is open daily from 8 a.m. until sunset, with camping available year-round. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially during winter high season and holiday periods when the campground often fills completely.

Curry Hammock State Park protects irreplaceable examples of Florida Keys natural communities that have been largely eliminated elsewhere by development. The rockland hammock, mangrove forest, and seagrass beds within the park provide essential habitat for numerous endangered and threatened species. The park's protection helps maintain the ecological connectivity between Big Pine Key National Wildlife Refuge and Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park. Invasive exotic plant management targets Australian pine, Brazilian pepper, and other species that threaten native vegetation. Protection of seagrass beds within the park benefits juvenile fish, sea turtles, and the broader marine ecosystem. The park's existence prevented conversion of this natural area to condominiums and resorts during the Keys' development boom. Climate change and sea level rise pose long-term threats to these low-lying habitats, requiring adaptive management strategies.