John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

Established in 1963, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is one the first undersea parks created in the United States. The park, combined with the adjacent Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, encompasses nearly178 nautical square miles of coral reefs, sea grass beds and mangrove swamps. It offers more than 40 full-facility sites for tent and recreational vehicle campers. The park organizes fishing, swimming and picnic activities. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park runs various environmental education programs that provide information on reefs, reef animals, snorkeling and diving. Its visitor center features a more than 30, 000-gallon saltwater aquarium and other natural history exhibits. The park also has a theater where visitors watch nature videos. It offers canoes and kayaks on rent and organizes scuba diving and snorkeling tours. The park has a glass-bottom boat that allows visitors to look through the sea. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is located in Key Largo, Fla.