Florida Keys
Wildlife Society

Key West National Wildlife Refuge

Key West National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1908 as a preserve and breeding ground for native birds. The entire refuge became a National Wilderness Preservation Area in 1975 when Congress designated wilderness areas in the Lower Florida Keys Refuges on January 3, 1975 to be managed under the Wilderness Act of 1964. All of the refuge islands in Key West NWR are part of this system.

The islands and marine waters that make up the Key West NWR are often referred to as the “backcountry”. The backcountry consists of hundreds of islands (keys) scattered amidst the biologically rich waters of Florida Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.  With few exceptions these islands are pristine, uninhabited islands in federal ownership .  These islands are a haven for a wide array of wildlife, from nesting sea turtles to bald eagles.  All of the islands have been designated part of the National Wilderness System.  Key West NWR is only accessible by boat.

If you have questions, the best place to start your visit is the Nature Center on Big Pine Key.

It is open 10 a.m. -3 p.m. Tuesday to Friday.  The Nature  Center is accessible to all, and staffed with volunteers and refuge personnel who can answer questions and provide information.  The Nature Center is also home to our Friends organization’s Nature Store, filled with nature-oriented books and gifts.  Proceeds directly benefit the Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges.

National Key Deer Refuge (the Nature Center for all the Florida Keys NWRs)

30587 Overseas Highway
Big Pine Key, FL 33043
305-872-0774

For more information, visit: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/key_west/