The former quarry of Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park is today a scenic zone with a labyrinth of hiking trails that are lined by a great range of exotic plants and animals. Its interpretive exhibits and education center shed light on the ecology and geology of the Florida Keys. Guided tours with the rangers are also available. Learn the intriguing history of the park, which served as an active quarry until the 1960s.
Arrive at the Alison Fahrer Environmental Education Center to hear about the former railroad that was completed in 1912. Rail cars transported stone from the quarry. The terrain is made from Key Largo limestone, a fossilized coral. Stroll along the top of the tall quarry walls, while learning about the uses of the stone. Some original quarry machinery is still visible, while parts of the walls are embedded with large coral fossils.
Follow one of the five self-guided trails through the park’s dense vegetation. Ornithologists will love the park’s abundance of birds, with the chance to spot such rarities as the Bahama mockingbird and the western spindalis.
The park and its education center are open Thursday through Monday from morning to late afternoon. There is a fee per person for entrance to the park. Guided tours are available for an additional fee Friday to Sunday, December through April.
Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park sits on its namesake islet in the Florida Keys, the archipelago off Florida’s southern coast. From the center of Miami drive south for 75 miles (120 kilometers) to get to the Islamorada area in about 90 minutes. While on this string of islands, visit some of the other highlights, such as the Theater of the Sea marine park, the History of Diving Museum and the Rain Barrel Sculpture Gallery.
