CURRY HAMMOCK STATE PARK | FLORIDA KEYS GUIDE

Camping at Curry Hammock: Best Sites & Insider Tips

Curry Hammock State Park Campground is one of our new Florida Keys favorites. The sites are on the smallish side, but honestly, we found them comfortable and quaint! In addition to a charcoal grill, each site also has a gravel pad, water, electrical service, a picnic table, and hammock posts. 

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Tent campers will enjoy tent pads for easy setup, and all sites are a short walk to hit the trails or the beach. Each campsite had plenty of vegetation for privacy and in close proximity to the bath house. Very handy after a day of water activities and desperately needing hot showers! Just sayin’…

Best Campsites

• Sites 13 – 15: Enjoy a direct ocean view with easy beach access. Expect a gorgeous sunrise and a slight highway hum when winds are calm.
• Sites 22 – 28: Wonderfully shaded by hammock vegetation, these sites feel private and attract early-morning birdlife and horseshoe crabs.
• RV Hookup Sites: Ideal for longer rigs. Check site length limits and verify electric or water hookups when reserving.
• Primitive Tent Sites: Simpler amenities, quieter location, great for budget travelers who prefer rustic over luxury.

Kayaking and Paddling the Mangrove Tunnels

Few parks in the Keys offer such effortless paddling access. Curry Hammock’s calm flats, shaded mangroves, and shallow coves make it a perfect beginner-to-intermediate paddling spot. We loved it all but our favorite was exploring the mangroves and tunnels. The quietness and wildlife were super cool.

Located on the east side of the day-use area, it offers deeper water for launching. It’s also a great location to head out to the popular sandbar. 

Sadly, on our visit, there was a tropical depression hanging out off the coast, so we opted not to adventure into the rough Atlantic Ocean. It is definitely on our bucket list! 

Not to freak you out, especially if you are not a Florida native,  there are alligator warning signs posted here. Yes, there may be gators; it’s Florida. We didn’t see any on our kayak trip, but they are there.

Downloadable GPX Routes

Easily download the Curry Hammock Kayaking trail HERE for easy access and enjoy this unique environment as you explore the calm waters around Crawl Key and beyond.

• Sunrise Mangrove Shuffle (2 miles): Launch from the campground beach, trace the mangrove edge, and loop back with the incoming tide.
• Ocean Flats Explorer (3 miles): Paddle east to shallow and pristine seagrass beds, spot stingrays and turtles, then return via the inner channel.

Paddling Tips

• Tides: Shallow flats become nearly impassable at low tide. Launch mid- to high tide for best depth. The mangrove tunnels are inaccessible during low tide, & we promise you don’t want to hang out with the mosquitoes! Jump over to the worldbeachguide for easy access and a daily tide chart.
• Wind: East and southeast winds can roughen open water. Stay near mangroves if gusts top 10 mph.
• Wildlife: Expect manatees, rays, and juvenile sea turtles. Keep a distance and move slowly.
• Gear: Bring a whistle, GOPRO, a camera for all those amazing pics, good water shoes, water, and a dry bag; there’s no lifeguard on duty.
• Navigation: Mark your launch point or download the GPX routes in advance.
• Equipment Rentals: No paddling gear?! No worries! Kayak, SUP, and bike rentals were available at the ranger station during our stay (October). They will take you down to the launch area and get you all set up. You can also sign up there for a ranger-guided hike and a kayak guided tour. Pretty sweet!

Hiking and Nature Trails

Curry Hammock may be small, but its nature trails pack surprising variety. The Curry Hammock Nature Trail (about 0.8 miles) weaves through a tropical hardwood hammock filled with gumbo limbo, sea grape, and wild tamarind. Interpretive signs explain how this ecosystem thrives amid salt and wind.

For a longer wander, connect to the Grassy Key Trail, where migrating warblers and ospreys frequent the canopy. The park’s dense vegetation keeps the trails shaded, making even mid-day hikes bearable in cooler months.

Don’t skip sunset! Light fades through the mangroves into rose-gold reflections that seem to pause time. For a more in-depth guide, visit our Friends at Florida Hikes!

Best Time to Visit the Florida Keys

• Peak Season (Nov – Apr): Comfortable temperatures, clear skies, and higher campground demand.
• Off-Peak (May – Oct): Hot, humid, and occasionally stormy, but campsites are easier to book. Just know, EVEN in October, the heat felt like the face of hell.
• Kiteboarding Season: Late spring through summer, when steady easterly winds fill the sky with bright sails. For the best wind updates, check out iKITESURF.
• Ideal for Paddling: Late fall through winter when winds ease and visibility in the flats is at its best.

Always check forecasts…weather in the Keys changes quickly, and wind direction determines water clarity and comfort, especially during hurricane season.

Sample Itineraries

Half-Day Adventure

Arrive early, set up your gear, and paddle the Sunrise Mangrove Shuffle before the heat rises. Return to shore by mid-morning, snack under the palms, and finish with a quick hike before lunch in Marathon.

Full-Day Reality Escape

Check into your campsite, pitch your tent facing the ocean, and explore the Nature Trail before sunset. After dinner, stargaze from the beach & kick back with a beachfront campfire. Bring your bug spray and chill…Florida Keys style!

Weekend Warrior

Day 1: Arrive before noon, kayak the flats, enjoy an afternoon nap in a hammock, and cook dinner under the stars. Perfection.
Day 2: Take a sunrise paddle or short hike, then spend your final hours photographing birds and beachcombing before checkout. Life doesn’t get any better than this.

Safety, Wildlife, and Park Rules

• No lifeguards, so swim or paddle at your own risk.
• Stingrays and jellyfish appear seasonally; shuffle feet in shallow areas.
• Avoid walking on seagrass beds or disturbing mangroves.
• Observe turtle nesting areas during summer.
• Fires are allowed only in designated fire rings; never leave them unattended.
• Always pack out all trash and recyclables.
• No collecting live coral or shells; seagrass and mangrove habitats are protected.
• Check hurricane alerts during the summer. Secure gear or evacuate.

These small steps keep Curry Hammock pristine for the next WANDERER.

Hulasquatch’s Final Thoughts

We visited in October 2025: Camped at Site 27 right across from the dump station. We thought it would be stinky, but it was surprisingly not! We absolutely loved our spot and would book it again. For reference, we have a 25-foot camper, and this spot was quaint, cozy, and very private. There is a sidewalk behind this section of campsites that leads to the bathrooms, but the lush vegetation keeps you secluded. Also, to note, the camp host kept this park immaculate! Road noise was minimal, the tides cooperated, and the stars at night reminded us why the Florida Keys never lose their magic. HAPPY WANDERING!