365 days a year, the park is open from 8 a.m. to dusk.
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After Irma, is Bahia Honda State Park still open?
Many people consider the beaches in Bahia Honda State Park to be among the best in the Florida Keys because they are so popular.
On the trip down the Keys, 45 minutes before Key West, just before the Seven Mile Bridge, sits Bahia Honda State Park. It includes a natural sand beach, which is unusual for the Keys, as well as some of the most popular camping spots and fantastic accommodations.
However, it also boasts the iconic 1912 saddleback bridge, a survivor of Henry Flagler’s Overseas Railway that stands out from all other Keys bridges.
A well-liked destination is Bahia Honda. Four and a half years after being destroyed by Hurricane Irma, the Sandspur Campground and the Sandspur beach have reopened as of May 2022. In the upcoming 11 months, a few nights for the difficult-to-get beachside Sandspur campgrounds will be available for those who act promptly.
The Bahia Honda Bridge was the most challenging to construct of all the bridges in Flagler’s railroad, more challenging than the longer Seven Mile Bridge due to the Keys’ deepest channel. It was constructed taller than the other bridges due to the powerful tides, which would be higher during a storm. It is a trestle-style bridge, the only one of its kind in the Keys, adding to its overall robustness.
The bridge was updated for cars after the 1935 hurricane caused the closing of the train. They constructed the road on the upper level because the lower level, which the trains had been using, was too small for two lanes of traffic. It must have been a fantastic ride because it was in operation for many years. In reality, the road on top of the old bridge was your only option if you were driving to Key West before to 1972.
A trail goes to a location with a panoramic view of the old bridge and the surrounding landscape today after portions of the bridge at each end were dismantled.
What is the entrance fee to Bahia Honda State Park?
$8* per vehicle is the entrance fee that all guests must pay. 2 to 8 people maximum per car. $2.00* Passengers in vehicles with holders of Annual Individual Entrance Passes, bicycles, additional passengers, and pedestrians.
Can you bring alcohol to Bahia Honda State Park?
Bahia Honda State Park only permits the consumption of alcohol in certain areas. Alcohol is legal where you are camping, but it is not allowed on the beaches of Bahia Honda.
How much does it cost to get into Bahia Honda State Park?
A motorcycle or car with one occupant must pay $4.50 to enter Bahia Honda State Park. In the case of a vehicle carrying two eight people, the fee rises to $8. (plus a surcharge of 50 per person). It costs $2.50 to enter as a pedestrian or cyclist.
How do I get a reservation at Bahia Honda State Park?
On the Florida State Parks website or by phone at (800) 326-3521, you can make a reservation for a campsite at Bahia Honda State Park.
Is Bahia Honda State Park fully open?
Due to Hurricane Irma’s substantial devastation to the region in 2017, NoSandspur Campground is still closed. Restoration work is now being done. To help with this rebuilding initiative, you can donate to The Friends of Bahia.
Does Bahia Honda fill up?
Oh, by the way, it does! Campsites at Bahia Honda State Park quickly sell out due to its high level of popularity. In fact, looking for canceled bookings is your best bet for finding a campsite there.
Is camping at Bahia Honda first come, first served?
Along the scenic Overseas Highway, Bahia Honda State Park offers 524 acres of tropical trees, crystal clear water, and breathtaking panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, Florida Bay, and both the new 7 Mile Bridge and its historic counterpart, the old 7 Mile Bridge. As far as beaches go, it is rated one of the most beautiful in the world by many prestigious travel publications.
In Bahia Honda, there are numerous opportunities for leisure and relaxation. Kayak, swim, wade for bonefish, or simply relax on the smooth sand while the day passes. The large number of seabirds, including pelicans, egrets, and blue herons, will delight birdwatchers.
There are daily snorkeling and diving trips to Looe Key Reef, which is roughly 12 miles from Bahia Honda, if you wish to explore beyond the shore. Tarpon season is a popular time for fishing trips. The numerous paths and vistas in the park are ideal for hiking and bicycling because it has one of the highest heights in the Florida Keys.
The Old Bahia Honda Bridge is one of the most photographed structures in the Keys because it is a distinctive piece of architecture. As a part of Henry Flagler’s Overseas Railroad, it was built in 1917. It was converted for automobile traffic after it was devastated by a cyclone in 1936. It now makes for a fantastic vantage point for admiring boats as they pass through the channel.
At Bahia Honda State Area, visitors have the option of camping in addition to enjoying the park for the day. Tents and RVs can camp on designated campsites. Other sites are rented on a first-come, first-served basis, while some can be scheduled in advance. Three rental cabins are also available at Bahia Honda. Reservations are strongly advised since they book up rapidly.
A quick day drive or weekend getaway to Bahia Honda is possible from any Florida Keys location. There are facilities, outdoor showers, picnic spots, a concession stand, and a gift shop on this lovely beach in the Florida Keys.
What Florida Key is the most beautiful?
With the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Key Largo is the location of one of the most well-known spectacular views in the Florida Keys. Some of the best snorkeling in the Florida Keys may be found here, which extends into the Atlantic Ocean. The park also offers kayak and standup paddleboard rentals in addition to a glass bottom boat. This topmost key is the perfect location to stop and get in touch with nature.
Is a visit to Bahia Honda State Park worthwhile?
If you’re visiting the Florida Keys, Bahia Honda State Park is a great area to stop by and spend the day—or a few days! This is a fantastic location to include on your Florida Keys itinerary, regardless of whether you are seeking for adventure, an active day, or just a few hours lazing on the beach in the sun. It is in a terrific location if you want to travel to other parts of the Keys for a day trip, but it can also serve as your home base while you are in the Keys.
Popular beach destination Bahia Honda is well-known for its wide range of activities, stunning white sand shorelines, and crystal-clear water ideal for snorkeling. There is also a short climb, fantastic campsites, and a historic railroad bridge that is visible from many locations across the park.
As a result of the park’s high popularity, you may need to arrive early in the day to guarantee a parking space, and you’ll need to make reservations for a campsite months in advance. But don’t worry—worth it’s it in spades!
We hope that this guide will offer you a solid overview of what to expect at Bahia Honda State Park, what to do, and what advance planning you might want to think about.
Be sure to get a copy of our Bahia Honda State Park Itinerary before your trip. We go through everything you need to know, including helpful maps, thorough descriptions of the treks in the region, what you should do before your visit, and what to do in the neighborhood.
Sandspur Beach at Bahia Honda State Park is it open?
One of the Florida Keys’ iconic places is Bahia Honda State Park. This state park is a true wonderland, with green waters extending as far as the eye can see. All year long, tourists come to take advantage of the pleasant breezes, snorkel, relax on the beach, and explore the trails.
The Florida Keys were hit by Hurricane Irma in September 2017. More than simply trees were destroyed by the category 4 hurricane. Campsites were buried under debris, houses were demolished, and much of the beach’s sand was moved. After the storm passed, park workers, the locals, and emergency personnel teamed up to help rescue trapped people and clear the debris.
Since the storm, Bahia Honda State Park has almost completely recovered. There are still certain areas of the park that need restoration, though. Until further notice, the Sandspur camping areas and the surrounding beach are off-limits while construction on their rehabilitation is ongoing. The park’s other areas are accessible for your enjoyment. As with previous hurricanes, Bahia Honda is currently experiencing one. This park exudes an unstoppable spirit of resilience!
Is there swimming at Bahia Honda?
The Calusa, Loggerhead, and Sandspur beaches in Bahia Honda State Park are well-known for their warm water, shallow sandbars, and good visibility. In the summer, the water is between the mid- to upper 80s F and the lower 70s F in the winter. Swimming is risk-free all year long, with the exception of the Bahia Honda Channel, where strong currents are present. Consider bringing your snorkeling gear if you want a view while swimming. Just a few feet from the shoreline, you can see a coral reef.
What is the Bahia Honda State Park beach like?
Bahia Honda Key, located 12 miles south of Marathon, offers three beaches in one park that front some of the clearest ocean imaginable. The largest beach on Bahia Honda is called Sandspur, and it extends around the island’s southeast corner. The smallest beach, Calusa, is located on the northwest side.
Does Bahia Honda State Park have shells?
On vacation, my family and I came here and had a blast! Bring a strainer if you’re looking for seashells because they are incredibly tiny but magnificent here. Find the wrack line, where there is a trough, by wading into the water between 1 and 3 feet. There are several shells to be found if you dig in this trough. A sea biscuit was also discovered by my family. Stay on Sandspur Beach near the top of the key for the best snorkeling. There are many of fish to observe, and you can even locate some shells in the tall grass. Watch out for some cool orange-colored batfish and algae bubbles as well. Downloading the Bahia Honda Natural Life Guide from the website is strongly recommended. Enjoy yourself a lot:)
Which month is ideal for a trip to the Florida Keys?
The months of March through May are the ideal times to visit Key West. The weather is very similar to the delightful 70s and 80s of winter, the crowds will start to thin out, and accommodation rates will drop.
Which is superior, John Pennekamp or Bahia Honda?
Although the boat out of Pennekamp can travel to the well-known Christ the Redeemer statue, the reef off of Bahia Honda is typically regarded as being better. JP is little, but incredibly convenient. The water is nearby once your automobile is parked. To protect your feet, put on a bootie of some sort.