Key Vista Nature Park — Attraction in Holiday

This park used to be nice not anymore because of humans abusing it. Crowded on nice days with too many unsupervised children some drinking or smoking pot and many dogs off leash. I understand a little bit of this but it’s kind of out of control now .The children are cutting down the vegetation to create little hiding places and trails all throughout the park and damaging trees, and ripping off planks from the wooden trail and even lighting living trees and bushes on fire. A few years ago half the wooden elevated deck trail was burned down. It was never replaced . They have vandalized the tower and covered it in graffiti. In the past year, I have witnessed non-English speaking young men netting game fish who threatened me when I insisted they let it go. I speak Spanish. Another kid with a machine gun BB gun, looking for a raccoon to kill he said. Today, there were kids on electric bikes, killing the seagrass and busting trails. When I called the cops about the illegal fishing, they told me to call the FWC And they didn’t have the manpower to come take care of things for several hours, and by that time they were gone. No one from the county from any agency enforces any of the rules. There’s even a cop that lives on premises on a connecting park, but I’ve never seen him show his face or do a patrol. The giant pine trees are all either dead, or dying from an invasive, clinging vine . No attempts are being made to strip these vines off the trees and save them. It’s also becoming a dumping ground for unwanted pets . A couple months ago I rescued a cute little puppy that was abandoned. The road that goes to the park called Memorial Strauber Parkway is a garbage dumping ground for the neighborhood that backs up to the road. Every week you’ll see fresh tires,mattresses and just bags of garbage throwin out in the middle of the night from moving vehicles because they don’t want to pay the fee to go to the local garbage dump. Other counties have remedies offering free garbage pick up and just adding a few pennies onto Property taxes. They also could just provide a free dumpster for that community. I’m sure that would save a lot more money than having crews come out and pick this garbage...

Key Vista Park is truly a hidden gem along Florida’s Gulf Coast and one of my favorite local escapes when I want to immerse myself in natural beauty. From the moment you step into the park, it feels like you’re entering a peaceful oasis filled with lush greenery, scenic trails, and breathtaking ocean views.

One of the highlights for me is the trail leading up to the lookout tower. The path is well maintained, and as you climb, you’re rewarded with panoramic views that make every step worth it. Standing at the top of the tower and gazing out over the ocean is nothing short of spectacular you can see the endless stretch of blue water meeting the sky, framed by the surrounding natural landscape. It’s the perfect spot to pause, take photos, or just soak in the beauty of Florida’s coastline.

After enjoying the tower, I love taking a stroll along the beach area. The walk is peaceful, with the gentle sound of waves and seabirds in the background. It’s not overly crowded, which makes it feel private and serene. Watching the water sparkle under the sun or catching sight of dolphins in the distance makes the experience unforgettable.

The route back through the nature trails and boardwalk is equally impressive. The boardwalk winds through a canopy of native trees and vegetation, offering shade and a chance to spot wildlife. I’ve seen everything from ospreys circling overhead to tiny crabs scuttling near the shoreline. The mix of boardwalk and nature trails gives you that perfect balance of forest and coast in one trip.

What makes Key Vista Park stand out is how it blends all these features together seamlessly the trails, the tower, the beach, the boardwalk, and the stunning ocean views. Every visit feels like a new adventure because there’s so much to explore, yet it also gives you that comforting sense of calm that keeps you coming back.

If you’re looking for a place to hike, take in some fresh air, enjoy spectacular views, and simply connect with nature, Key Vista Park is a must-visit. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, it’s a beautiful reminder of the natural treasures Florida...

It definitely has it's positives: you can access water in a few places that is great for fishing and/or letting your dog swim/play, however, this isn't beach like. More marshy than sandy. It has a huge wooden lookout tower so you can look out over the water or watch the sunset. It has benches throughout the trail but the trail itself isn't the greatest... and that's where everything starts to become more of a negative than positive. The trail itself is a dirt/sand trail and has a ton of ants that run throughout it (wear proper shoes). You can see where they cut down trees and just left them. The bugs are pretty intense along the trail, I left with a ton of mosquito and ant bites(wear bug spray). Besides that, my husband and I walked the entire trail and enjoyed the water.. we have just...