Shell Key Preserve
Preserve Hours: Daily - 24 hours a day / Open on holidays - gmap

 

All Shell Key campers are required to obtain a Camping Permit. (No camp fires allowed from May 1 through September 30 due to turtle nesting, violations will result is a $118 fine.)

 

Shell Key Preserve Management Plan 2007 (6MB)

List of Appendices Appendix 1 Appendix 2 Appendix 3 Appendix 4 Appendix 5 Appendix 6 Appendix 7 Appendix 8 Appendix 9 Appendix 10 Appendix 11 Appendix 12 Appendix 13 Appendix 14 Appendix 15 2000 Shell Key Preserve Management Plan (4MB)

Shell Key Preserve History

This 1,800-acre preserve protects sensitive marine habitats and includes one of the county's largest undeveloped barrier islands (Shell Key) as well as numerous mangrove islands and expansive sea grass beds.

Shell Key has been designated as one of the state's most important areas for shorebird nesting and wintering and it serves as an important study area for these species. It also is an important area for recreation. A balance for both uses was established by restricting public use to the northern and southern ends of the island. A central core area for conservation is closed to the public.

 

Boating, camping, and beach-going activities are permitted in public use areas of the preserve, see designated areas and camping rules . Visitors can access Shell Key only via a water vessel and no restroom facilities are provided. The closest boat ramps, trailer parking, and restroom facilities are located at Ft. DeSoto Park.

Amenities:

• Beautiful beaches
• Bird watching (designated as one of the state's most important areas for shorebird nesting and wintering and it serves as an important study area for these species.)
• Please Note: no restrooms available, preserve is accessible only by boat.

 

 

Preserve and Camping Rules:

• Please note that dogs and alcohol are prohibited anywhere with in the preserve boundary. Municode - Chapter 90 - Parks and Conservation Resources.
  

• All plants and animals are protected.
• Removal of live animals from the beach (sea turtles, sand dollars, conchs, starfish, fiddler crabs, etc.) is prohibited.
• Preserve Boundary Map
  Overview of Preserve
• Public Use of Land Map
  Visitors to the island must be aware of the how each part of the preserve is used. Stay clear of unauthorized areas. The former public use area located mid-island has been closed and incorporated into the Bird Preservation Area (BPA).
• Preserve / Camping Rules
  All overnight camping requires a permit issued by the County and limited to the southern public use area of Shell Key.

Resource Management Activities include:

• Restoration
• Prescribed Burn
• Ecological Monitoring
• Long Term Research

 

 

 

 

 

top of page