National Key Deer Refuge, National wildlife refuge in the Florida Keys, United States

The National Key Deer Refuge covers 8,542 acres on Big Pine Key and No Name Key in the Florida Keys. Its habitats include 2,400 acres of upland forest, 5,100 acres of wetlands and 1,050 acres of marsh, with 2,278 acres designated as wilderness.

The refuge was created to protect the Key deer, a subspecies of white-tailed deer found only in the Florida Keys, whose numbers had fallen sharply by the mid-20th century. It now covers 8,542 acres on Big Pine Key and No Name Key, including 2,400 acres of upland forest, 5,100 acres of wetlands and 1,050 acres of marsh. Around 800 Key deer live there today, alongside 21 other threatened or endangered plants and animals. The refuge also administers Crocodile Lake, Great White Heron and Key West refuges.

The refuge's name comes from the Key deer, a subspecies of white-tailed deer found only in the Florida Keys, with about 800 animals today. Visitors reach the trails and viewing areas from a visitor contact point in a shopping center at the entrance to Big Pine Key off the highway.

A visitor center provides information about the best times and places to observe animals and explore the habitats. The trails are well-marked and suitable for different fitness levels, with some paths on flat terrain.

The deer living here are the smallest deer in North America and stand out for their tiny size. These animals are found nowhere else in the world, making the area a special place for wildlife.