Fort Zachary Taylor

Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park is located near the southern tip of Key West, Florida and is a National Historic Landmark.  The park consists of the Civil War-era Fort Taylor and a public beach that is sometimes heavily used on weekends. The U.S. Army began construction of Fort Taylor in 1845 and it remained under federal control during the entire Civil War – one of only three fortresses in Florida to do so. The fort was also heavily used during the Spanish–American War (1898), World War I (1917–1918), World War II (1941–1945), and the Cuban Missile Crisis (1962).  Fort Taylor was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1973. Much of the land around the fort has been filled in and the area now encompasses 87 acres including a public beach. 

This hike at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park begins in the parking area and follows a series of trails around the property and through Fort Taylor.  The route combines a mix of paved and sandy paths that occasionally wind through the tropical hardwoods of the park.  After exploring the fort, you can enjoy the beach which has a shaded picnic area with picnic tables and grills.  There is also an area to rent beach chairs, umbrellas, and snorkeling equipment if you want to explore the shoreline.