Things to do nearTen Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge

Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge was established to protect the intricate coastal ecosystem where freshwater from the Everglades meets the saltwater of the Gulf of Mexico. This transition zone creates extraordinarily productive habitat that has supported Indigenous communities and commercial fishermen for centuries.

The refuge encompasses tidal creeks, open bays, oyster bars, and a seemingly endless scattering of mangrove islands. Bottlenose dolphins hunt in the channels, American crocodiles rest on exposed mudflats, and hundreds of bird species use the area along the Atlantic Flyway. The fishing for snook, redfish, and tarpon draws anglers from across the country.

Guided boat tours depart from Everglades City, the small fishing village at the refuge's edge, offering naturalist-led introductions to the ecosystem. Experienced paddlers can arrange multi-day canoe camping trips through the Wilderness Waterway, one of Florida's most storied backcountry routes.

For anyone drawn to raw, undeveloped nature, Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge offers a rare chance to experience coastal Florida much as it looked long before development reached the peninsula's southern tip.