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Big Pine Key

Big Pine Key, the second largest Key in the Florida Keys, after Key Largo, is home to the largest Key Deer population. These tiny deer are not more than 3 feet (90 cm) tall and are federally protected. At present, the Fish & Wildlife Service manages nearly one-third of the Island in order to benefit the Key Deer. The refuge, situated at Mile Marker 31, is open to the public and is the most pleasant place in the Florida Keys for a relaxing bicycle ride. The Big Pine Key also features a number of sinkholes all over the island. These sinkholes fill up with fresh water and are often inhabited by alligators. Blue Hole, located within the Key Deer Refuge on Big Pine Key, is an abandoned limestone quarry that now serves as a freshwater habitat for turtles, fish, and wading birds. Other features that distinguish Big Pine Key from all other Florida Keys include the major lack of development and vast expanses of natural Keys vegetation. The Pines that grow on this island are much taller than most other Keys’ foliage.

Big Pine Key is also home to several miles of nature trails, which serve to educate the visitors about the wide variety of natural flora and fauna of the Florida Keys. Jack Watson Nature Trail, an easy loop trail, is the most frequented nature trail on the island. It is lined with a number of trees, including palms, poisonwood trees, and other native Keys trees. Watson’s Hammock, located off Higgs Lane, is also connected to the trail. The Hammock is full of hardwood trees, most of which are nearly 50 feet (15 m) tall. It also allows the visitors to explore the backcountry marshes.

No Name Key, best recognized for fishing, is located to the north of Big Pine Key. A series of smaller keys, including Little Torch Key, Little Palm Island, Ramrod key, Middle Torch Key, and Big Torch key, is located to the west of the Island. The Island is also home to Winn-Dixie, a primary grocery store; a shopping center to the north of US-1, featuring a Chinese restaurant and a Beal’s Outlet; the Key Deer Refuge Visitor Center; a branch of the Monroe County Library; a CVS Pharmacy; a small hardware store; several bars; and elegant restaurants. RV/Camping facilities and a limited number of motel-like units are offered at the Big Pine key Fishing Lodge, located on the far southeast of the Island.

Top 5 National Parks

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5. Yellowstone

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