Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce FL- Florida Keys Chamber of Commerce- Lower Keys Information

Land Activities in The Lower Keys

The beauty of the Lower Keys is an attraction in itself.
There's so much to see...one visit is never enough. It's not ALL about the water. There's plenty to do on Land...

The most genuine attraction of all are the Lower Keys themselves. Quiet solitude and the laid-back lifestyle of the area provide a perfect get-away. Friendly locals welcome visitors to the islands they love so well. Except for the fortunate few that can claim to be true "Conchs" (born and raised in the Keys), most residents were once visitors themselves. The Lower Keys are unlike any other islands in the world, so kick back and enjoy.

BAHIA HONDA STATE PARK
MM37, Lower Keys, 305-872-2353, 305-872-3210
Recently named one of the top ten beaches in America, the beachfront park also features a marina, dive shop, cabins and camp sites. Visitors may enjoy swimming, skin and scuba diving, fishing, boating, hiking, picnicking, cabins and camping here. The park was created by the covering of an ancient coral reef by mangroves, beaches and sand dunes. Birdlife here includes beautiful and rare species such as the white-crowned pigeon, great white heron, roseate spoonbill, reddish egret, osprey and pelican.
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Key Deer
One natural attraction not to be missed is the diminutive Key Deer. The bulk of the Key Deer herd inhabits Big Pine Key because of its fresh water and lush greenery. Actually a sub-species of the Virginia White-Tail deer; these small and graceful creatures roam freely throughout other Lower Keys as well. The National Key Deer Refuge has acquired approximately 2,300 acres on Big Pine Key as a haven for the deer. The deer can usually be observed in the early morning and early evening hours. Note: It is illegal to feed or entice the deer. Please drive cautiously at dawn and dusk.
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NATIONAL KEY DEER AND GREAT WHITE HERON
WILDLIFE REFUGE
MM31.5, Big Pine Key, 305-872-2239.
Seeing is believing the diminutive species of deer known as the Key Deer that's protected at this refuge. They grow to just 2-1/2 feet tall and weigh less than 75 pounds. They are most sighted in the early morning or late afternoon, so plan your visit accordingly.

From land or sea, our sunsets are like none other you'll find. Because the Lower Keys are surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, we are lucky enough to have both incredible sunsets AND wonderful sunrises. Take your choice...
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COUPON BIGHT STATE AQUATIC PRESERVE
South of Big Pine Key, this aquatic preserve incudes a sheltered tropical lagoon and open ocean environments. Mangrove and saltmarsh wetlands, marine grassbeds, coral patch reefs and expansive areas of hardbottom communities distinguish this unique preserve.
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JACK C. WATSON MEMORIAL TRAIL
This trail is 2/3 of a mile long and winds through typical Big Pine Key habitat consisting of slash pine and palms.
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BAT TOWER
Mile Marker 17, Sugarloaf Key
One particularly unique attraction, the Bat Tower, has a quirky history. The Bat tower is located on Lower Sugarloaf Key at Mile Marker 17. Originally owned by an English sponge farmer named C.W. Chase, the tower property was sold to Richter C. Perky. Mr. Perky intended to establish a fishing camp there. In 1929, as a solution to the pesky mosquito problem, Perky built a bat tower thereby housing the mosquito-eaters (sort of an early version of a bug zapper). Unfortunately, Mr. Perky's thousands of dollars flew off as quickly as the bats did when he placed them in his tower. The Bat Tower now stands as a monument to one man's folly.
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The Blue Hole
Mile Marker 31, Big Pine Key
Within the Key Deer Refuge lies a "borrow pit" from the railroad days called Blue Hole. The Blue Hole has an off-street parking area and a walkway leading to an observation deck Alligators in various sizes, freshwater fish and turtles call Blue Hole their home. This attraction is a natural for great photos or videos and is located along Key Deer Boulevard on Big Pine Key. Further down the road lies the wondrous Jack Watson Memorial Nature Trail and Watson's Hammock. This 0.7 mile, self-guided trail winds through typical pine rockland habitat consisting of slash pine and thatch palms. The 0.1 mile Manillo Trail spur, completed in 1997, is accessible to the disabled.
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About our birds
Our Islands provide a haven for birds. Frigate birds, cormorants, pelicans, egrets, ibises and herons are just some of the birds that inhabit these islets and the Lower Keys. The endangered Bald Eagle still remains in this area. Big Pine and No Name Key are part of the Great White Heron National Refuge. It's not uncommon to see visitors staring up a power pole to spy on the great ospreys that nest precariously on the poles. Bird watching is fast becoming a favorite pastime of both visitors and locals.
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Certified Green Business

This Business has met the standards of
Florida Keys Green Living & Energy Education
Green Business Program

October 2009-2011

Sustainability Pledge

WE THE LOWER KEYS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, PLEDGE TO USE THE
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS THAT WE HAVE ACQUIRED AND THE RESOURCES
AVAILABLE TO IMPROVE AND SUSTAIN THE NATURAL RESOURCES AND
INTEGRITY OF THE FLORIDA KEYS.

FURTHERMORE, WE PLEDGE TO MINIMIZE THE IMPACT
OF OUR ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT.

WE PROMISE TO TAKE THE APPROPRIATE ACTION TO FULLFILL THIS
COMMITMENT BY CONSIDERING SUSTAINABILITY IN ALL OUR DECISIONS,
SERVING AS AN EXAMPLE TO OTHERS.

WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE MEASURES WE TAKE WILL MAKE A
DIFFERENCE, AND THROUGH TEACHING OTHERS
OUR COMBINED EFFORTS BECOME SIGNIFICANT.

Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce - Green Business Partner