Featured Places
Long before Europeans arrived, the Calusa and Tequesta Native Americans enjoyed the beauty and bounty of what we today know as the Florida Keys. Once accessible only by boat, the isolation of the Keys ended when Henry Flagler extended his railroad south, an industrious 128 miles of rail construction that crossed rock islands and open water. Agricultural trade flourished, and soon the commercial and sports fishing industry attracted many to the remote islands. Now one of the most iconic tourist destinations in the world, many parts of the Florida Keys have been set aside for protection and public use, preserving irreplaceable habitats for future generations to enjoy responsibly.
Dry Tortugas National Park
Accessible only by boat or seaplane, Dry Tortugas National Park is known as the home of magnificent Fort Jefferson, picturesque blue waters, beautiful coral reefs and marine life, and a vast assortment of bird life.
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Shipwreck Trail
The nine vessels along this Shipwreck Trail have many tales to tell, from the stories of individuals who came before us to why they were here and their difficulties in navigating these waters.
Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge
Established in 1938 as a haven for great white herons, migratory birds, and other wildlife, this refuge consists of thousands of acres of open shallow saltwater and mangrove islands known locally as "the backcountry."
Key West National Wildlife Refuge
Created in 1908 by President Theodore Roosevelt, Key West National Wildlife Refuge was one of the first refuges established in the United States. It was established as a preserve and breeding ground for colonial nesting birds and other wildlife during the time when plume hunters were devastating bird populations throughout Florida. The refuge is located west of Key West and is accessible only by boat.
National Key Deer Refuge
The Key deer (Odocoileus virginianus clavium) is a subspecies of the while-tailed deer that lives only in the Florida Keys. Key deer are an endangered species, and the National Key Deer Refuge was established in 1957 to protect deer habitat and other wildlife resources in the Florida Keys. Habitats in the refuge include rare pine rockland forests, tropical hardwood hammocks, freshwater wetlands, salt marsh wetlands, and mangrove forests.
Florida State Parks
From the first underwater state park to historic relics from the U.S. Civil War, the sunshine state has shown brightly on the preservation of ten special locations in the Florida Keys, listed here from north to south. All but one of the parks are based on dry land. You can also use this interactive map to search for state parks in South Florida and the Florida Keys.
- Bahia Honda State Park
- Curry Hammock State Park
- Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park
- Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail
- Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
- Indian Key Historic State Park
- John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Key Largo
- Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park
- Long Key State Park
- San Pedro Underwater Archaeological Preserve State Park
- Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park
