Cedar Key Museum State Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Cedar Key Museum State Park is a small museum located in the historic Cedar Key town in Florida.


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Summary

The park is a great place to visit for those interested in learning about the history and natural environment of the area. The museum has a collection of exhibits showcasing the local history of the town, including artifacts from the Native American tribes that lived in the region, the fishing industry that was once prominent in the area, and the early pioneers who settled in Cedar Key.

One of the most interesting points of interest in the park is the St. Clair Whitman House. The house was built in 1880 and is a great example of a typical Florida cracker-style house from that era. Visitors can also explore the exhibits on the geology and natural history of Cedar Key, including displays on the local flora and fauna, and the unique ecosystem of the area.

Cedar Key Museum State Park is located on the Gulf of Mexico, making it a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The park offers visitors the opportunity to explore the local beaches, fish in the Gulf, and take scenic walks on the nature trails. In addition, the park is a great place for bird-watching, as the area is home to a variety of migratory birds.

The best time to visit Cedar Key Museum State Park is in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and the crowds are smaller. Summer can be hot and humid, and winter can be chilly and windy. The park is open year-round, and admission is free.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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