State Park · Florida
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
- Location
- Monroe County, Florida
- Nearest town
- 3.6 miles northeast of Key Largo
- Type
- State Park
About John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
Coral reefs and the marine life around them form the main draw here, spread across roughly 70 square nautical miles of Atlantic waters. The protected area stretches about 25 miles long and reaches 3 miles offshore along Hawk Channel. It was the first underwater park established in the United States, and it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on April 14, 1972.
Hours, fees, camping, reservations and closures are set by the park and change often. Check the official park site before you go.
Getting there
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is in Monroe County, Florida, 3.6 miles northeast of Key Largo. The Directions button takes you to the park's mapped location; the entrance may be elsewhere, so check the official site for the address to use.
State parks near John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
Within 60 miles, closest first, straight-line. All 147 in Florida →
Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State ParkState Park · Monroe County, FL4.4 miNE- Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State ParkState Park · Monroe County, FL17 miSW
Royal Palm State ParkState Park · Miami-Dade County, FL22 miNW- Long Key State ParkState Park · Monroe County, FL33 miSW
- Bill Baggs Cape Florida State ParkState Park · Miami-Dade County, FL41 miN
Oleta River State ParkState Park · Miami-Dade County, FL58 miN
Towns near John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
State parks near Key Largo, State parks near Homestead, State parks near Kendall West, State parks near Miami
Facts from Wikidata, checked September 25, 2026. Distances are straight-line.