Construction on Fort Taylor started in 1845. During the Civil War era, the fort was one of only three in Florida that remained under federal control. Fort Taylor is now a National Historic Landmark and contains the largest cache of Civil War-era seacoast cannons in the US. To learn about the fort’s history, take one of the daily tours or pick up a pamphlet for a self-guided exploration.
These days, Fort Zachary Taylor is best known for its outdoor activities: The beach, which is the southernmost in the US, offers a lovely expanse of sand (a rarity in the Keys) as well as swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving. Other activities include biking, fishing, hiking along nature trails, bird watching, and picnicking.