Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge provides a safe haven for wildlife and terrific recreation opportunities for people in the Gulf of America. The 13 islands of the Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge began many thousands of years ago as fish camps of First Peoples on the peninsula of Florida.
Announcement

The remaining open houses for 2024 have been canceled due to hurricane damage to the island.

Visit Us

To reach the Refuge, you must travel southwest on highway 24 or 347 to the town of Cedar Key. You'll need a vessel to paddle, operate, or rent to get out to the islands.  Boundary signs are on all Refuge islands; other islands are private.

The Refuge is open from sunrise to sunset.  Visitors access the Refuge by paddling kayaks, by tour boat, private or rented vessels. For tour guides and boat rental information check these listings on the Cedar Key Chamber of Commerce website.  Fall, winter, and spring are much milder than summer months, but sunscreen is still a good idea along with a hat and sunglasses.  Think green and bring along your own refillable water bottle.

Location and Contact Information

Marker
  • Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge
    (352) 493-0238
    C/O Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge 16450 NW 31St Place Chiefland, FL 32626-4874
    View Details
    Special Message from the Refuge Manager

    Special Message from the Refuge Manager

     Entry to/on the Cedar Keys NWR islands

    Open areas:  All of Atsena Otie Key and the sand beaches of the other islands.

    Closed areas:  All interior and/or vegetated areas of North Key, Snake Key, Deadmans Key, Live Oak Key, Scale Key, Cedar Point, and Seahorse Key.

    Waters around Snake Key (~100m) are closed to all entry March through June.  

    Should the birds nest again on Seahorse, then we would need to close some waters there again.



    Entry to the closed areas are by permit only.

    Tours

    No tours are planned at this time.

    Our Species

    Once 200,000 birds nested in the Cedar Keys; now, the numbers near 20,000.  Egrets, night herons, brown pelicans, white ibis, cormorants, and in the past few years, reddish egrets and roseate spoonbills have made themselves at home in the Seahorse Key rookery

    Our Library

    Cedar Keys General Information Brochure
    Name
    Cedar Keys General Information Brochure
    PDF
    Public Use Map of Cedar Keys NWR
    Name
    Public Use Map of Cedar Keys NWR
    PDF

    Get Involved

    Getting involved at Lower Suwannee and Cedar Keys NWRs will connect you to the natural world more than you could ever imagine. It could be through volunteerism or as a member of our Friends group.