Carysfort Reef Light is located approximately six nautical miles east of Key Largo, Florida. The lighthouse has an iron screw-pile foundation with a platform, and a skeletal, octagonal, pyramidal tower, which is painted red. The light is 100 feet (30 m) above the water. It is the oldest functioning lighthouse of its type in the United States, completed in 1852. Carysfort Reef is named for HMS Carysfort (1766), a 20-gun Royal Navy post ship that ran aground on the reef in 1770. The light is currently a xenon flashtube beacon.
Just off of a hiking/biking trail. Not much shade on some of the trails. Be sure to bring plenty of water. You may get wet feet and bug spray is recommended depending on the season.
Myakka River State Park is one of Florida's oldest and largest state parks. The scenic Myakka River flows through 57 square miles of wetlands, prairies and woodlands. The park is popular for hiking, fishing, camping, and wildlife observation.
As of January 2017, the Park Entrance Fees are as follows:
- $6.00 per vehicle. Limit 2-8 people per vehicle
- $4.00 Single Occupant Vehicle.
- $2.00 Pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in vehicle with holder of Annual Individual Entrance Pass.
- $60.00 Bus Tour Fee (30+ people).
- $2.00 per person, Bus Tour Fee (less than 30 people).
Placed with permission of Park Manager Steve Giguere