Wilderness.net's Florida Keys Wilderness Fact
Sheet
Introduction
The United States Congress designated the Florida
Keys Wilderness in 1975 and it now has a total of
6,197 acres. All of the wilderness is in Florida and is
managed by the Fish and Wildlife Service.
Description
The wilderness area of the Florida Keys consists of
many islands off shore of the main chain of Keys that
are bisected by US 1. These islands are administered
by the US Fish and Wildlife Service as part of National Key Deer Refuge and Key West and Great
White Heron National Wildlife Refuges. They protect a seemingly endless expanse of sea, sky, and
islands between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean south of Florida's southern mainland
coast. Although beaches exist on some of the islands, tangles of mangroves make access to most
islands difficult. The Wilderness area consists of all the Marquesas Keys; Mooney Harbor Key; all
the Gull Keys; Boca Crande Key; Woman Key; Man Key; Little Mullet Key; Big Mullet Key;
Cottrell Key; Archer Key; Mule Key; Barracouta Keys; Joe Ingram Key; Crawfish Key; Sand Key;
Rock Key; Eastern Dry Rocks; all the keys west of Key West; Crane Key; Little Swash Keys; Upper
Harbor Key; Big Spanish Key; Little Spanish Key; Crawl Key; Little Pine Key Mangrove; Water
Key Mangroves; Water Key; Little Pine Key; Horseshoe Keys; West Bahia Honda Key; Mayo Key;
Annette Key; Howe Key; Water Keys islands in Sections 14, 15, 23, and 26; Cutoe Key islands in
Sections 19, 20, and 21; Johnson Keys islands in Sections 19, 29, 30, and 32; and parts of Raccoon
Key.
Access to those islands (above mean high tide) are permitted only with a special use permit,
however, you are welcome to use the surrounding waters for boating, fishing and other permitted
recreational purposes. Some islands have special buffer zones, and some have regulations regarding
use of motors, and speed zones.
Leave No Trace
Overnight camping is not permitted in the wilderness areas of the three refuges in the Lower
Florida Keys. The nearest facilities are in Key West. Commerical operators are currently not
permitted to access the refuge islands. Access to the islands is by private or rented vessels.
Accessing areas above mean high tide require a special use permit. For further information,
contact National Key Deer Refuge visitor center, Big Pine Key Plaza, 179 Key Deer Blvd. Big
Pine Key, FL. 33043, 305-872-0774, or at [email protected].
Location
The wilderness islands in National Key Deer Refuge overlaps Great White Heron NWR. These two
areas lie north of the main Florida Keys in the Gulf of Mexico with Key West to the west and
Marathon to the east, an area approximately 50 miles wide and five to 10 miles deep.
Key West NWR is a rectangle approximately 15 miles north and south and 25 miles east and west.
The refuge begins just west (1 mile) of Key West, the westernmost town in the Florida Keys. The
western boundary is just west of the Marquesas Keys.
Access to either of the wilderness areas is by boat only. Public and private boat launches are
available throughout the keys.
Area Management
The Florida Keys Wilderness is part of the 109 million acre National Wilderness Preservation
System. This System of lands provides clean air, water, and habitat critical for rare and endangered
plants and animals. In wilderness, you can enjoy challenging recreational activities like hiking,
backpacking, climbing, kayaking, canoeing, rafting, horse packing, bird watching, stargazing, and
extraordinary opportunities for solitude. You play an important role in helping to "secure for the
American people of present and future generations the benefits of an enduring resource of
wilderness" as called for by the Congress of the United States through the Wilderness Act of 1964.
Please follow the requirements outlined below and use Leave No Trace techniques when visiting the
Florida Keys Wilderness to ensure protection of this unique area.
Within the administrative boundaries of Key West and Great White Heron, Prohibited are personal
watercraft (PWC), seaplane landings, hovercraft, airboats, and water skiing. Vessel and personal
access around certain islands is limited or prohibited. Visitors on the refuge islands are permitted
only from one half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset. Access to the islands in National
Key Deer Refuge is by a free permit only. Contact refuge management as noted below. Prohibited
are, pets on the islands, overnight camping, searching for and removing antiquities, open fires, and
geocaching (considered littering). There are no facilities on any of the refuge managed islands.
Contacts
Florida Keys NWR Complex General Email
28950 Watson Blvd.
Big Pine Key, FL 33043
Managing Office: Nancy Finley
28950 Watson Blvd.
Big Pine Key, FL 33043
Visitor Information Center: Kristie Killam
179 Key Deer Blvd.
Big Pine Key, FL 33043
Phone: 305-872-2239
Fax: 305-872-3675
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 305-872-2239
Fax: 305-872-3675
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 305-872-0774
Fax: 305-872-3675
Email: [email protected]
Links to Other Websites
USFWS National Key Deer Refuge
Contains information on all four Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges
Links on Wilderness.net
National, Regional and Local Wilderness Organizations (NGOs)
A listing of societies, organizations, coalitions and other wilderness-related advocacy and
stewardship groups.
Career and Volunteer Opportunities
A listing of sites providing information about wilderness- and environmentally-related career and
volunteer opportunities.
Applicable Wilderness Law(s)
Law
Date
Acreage Change (in acres)
Public Law 93-632
January 3, 1975
4,740
(No official title, designates Fish and Wildlife Service wildernesses) - Public law 93-632 (1/3/1975)
Designation of wilderness areas within the National Widlife Refuge System
download 93-632
Public Law 97-211
June 30, 1982
48
(No official title, adds to Florida Keys Wilderness) - Public law 97-211 (6/30/1982) To designate
certain national wildlife refuge lands
NOTE: Approximately 73 acres were added and approximately 25 were removed.
download 97-211 - Relevant legislation found on page(s): 1.
Recreational Opportunities
The waters surrounding the islands are open for wildlife-dependent activities such as wildlife and
wildlands observation and photography, environmental education, and fishing. There are some
beaches that are accessible to the public (Boca Grande, Woman Key, Marquesas Keys), but the
islands are closed (to protect sensitive plants and wildlife) above mean high tide. Commercial use
would require a special use permit.
Climate and Special Equipment Needs
Summer daytime temperatures can reach mid 90’s, 90% humidity and daily showers. Boaters should
bring wide brimmed hats, sunblock, long sleeved shirts, and long pants for long term exposure to the
sun. During the winter season the sun is not as intense, however, it can be windy and small craft
warnings are constantly in effect.
warnings are constantly in effect.
Safety and Current Conditions
Bring plenty of fluids and standard boating safety gear, PFD’s signaling mirror, whistle and flares.
Water temperatures in the winter are cooler and long term exposure can induce hypothermia