National Wildlife Refuge Egmont Key
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
National Wildlife Refuge Egmont Key is a 440-acre protected barrier island located at the mouth of Tampa Bay in Florida.
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Summary
It is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike due to its diverse wildlife and historical significance.
One of the main reasons to visit Egmont Key is to observe the wildlife. The island is home to over 150 bird species, including the endangered least tern and piping plover. Visitors can also spot sea turtles, dolphins, and manatees. The island is also a nesting ground for several species of sea turtles, making it an important conservation site.
Egmont Key is also a historically significant area, with remnants of an old fort and lighthouse still standing. Visitors can take a guided tour to learn about the island's rich history, including its use as a military base during the Civil War and as a quarantine station during the yellow fever epidemic.
In addition, Egmont Key is a great place for outdoor activities such as fishing, swimming, and kayaking. The island has several beaches, including a dog beach, where visitors can swim and sunbathe.
The best time to visit Egmont Key is between November and April, when the weather is mild and the wildlife is most active. However, it is important to note that the island is only accessible by boat, and may be closed during certain times of the year due to nesting season or military training exercises.
Overall, National Wildlife Refuge Egmont Key is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in nature, history, and outdoor activities.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
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.
Related References
National Wildlife Refuge Egmont Key
Passage Key National Wildlife Refuge
Fort de Soto Park
Pinellas National Wildlife Refuge
Perico Preserve