Anyplace to hang in the FL Keys

[Bobwhite215]

I have never been down into the Keys, and was thinking that might be my next get away. Any recommendations on someplace that is hanger friendly? Not necessarily looking for something rustic, just a State Park or something similar where we can hang a couple of hammocks and use as a home base for 3 or 4 days.

[WaffleBox]

Bahia Honda State Park is beautiful, and right outside of Key West. You'll have to call them to see if they allow hammocks, and if so you will need to use 2" straps for anything that touches the trees. That is true of all FL state parks.

[grannypat]

Is there a Turtledog stand in your future?

[oldpappy]

Bahia Honda State Park is beautiful, and right outside of Key West. You'll have to call them to see if they allow hammocks, and if so you will need to use 2" straps for anything that touches the trees. That is true of all FL state parks.

I lived there in the early 70's (military duty) and have been back a couple times. Bahia Honda State Park is my preference on where to stay or there are two KOAs in the area (if you are military, they have a nice RV park). The KOAs provide shuttle to/from Key West - parking in Key West is very limited and it's not free. Reservations in the Keys are required, trees are pretty small and not on many sites. A hammock stand is your best bet. Make your stand big enough for a tarp - tropical showers are common.
If you decide on a room instead of camping - my wife makes me stay here - her style of camping: http://keywestsouthwind.com/

[Floridahanger]

...if so you will need to use 2" straps for anything that touches the trees. That is true of all FL state parks.

This is news to me. I have found that 1" is fine. I don't know about the keys, though.

[FLRider]

This is news to me. I have found that 1" is fine. I don't know about the keys, though.

Yeah, that's what I got told on my cross-FL bike trip this past March (need to do a trip report, come to think of it) when I wanted to go to Manatee Springs rather than Fanning Springs after being screwed on the primitive site at Fanning Springs (they DXed the primitive site there the Monday before I was going to arrive, after telling me it was okay the month previous).

So, 2" straps are your friend here.

While I'm currently more than a bit annoyed about FLSP, my room mate recommends Jon Pennekamp state park in Key Largo. I've never been myself, but it looks nice. As always, call ahead for the usual FLSP idiocy regarding hammocks.