Wanderlust World Wanderlust World In addition to its use as a state park, Egmont Key is a federal wildlife refuge that protects populations of gopher tortoises, box turtles and several species of nesting birds. The southern tip of the key is a shore bird refuge and is not accessible to visitors. Hiking trails around the key provide good opportunities for viewing tortoises, hummingbirds and seabirds.
Trails on Egmont Key lead to ruins from various eras of the key's history. You can see a still-active lighthouse that was built in 1858 to help ships navigate safely into Tampa Bay. You can also explore the ruins of Fort Dade, built in 1898 to protect Tampa Bay during the Spanish-American War. Gun batteries, which you can see on the key's north end, were built during that time. The fort, which housed 300 residents at one time, functioned until 1923. The key's brick streets are reminders of that era.
Egmont Key has beautiful pristine beaches and warm water great for swimming, although swimming is allowed only in designated areas. There are also several shipwrecks around the key, now covered with sea life, that make good snorkeling spots. The key's beaches have an abundance of shells, and collecting them is permitted, as long as they are not live.
Egmont Key State Park is open 365 days a year from 8 a.m. until sunset. There is no entrance fee. All plants and animals in the park are protected, and collecting, disturbing or destroying them is prohibited, with the exception of collecting non-live shells. Fireworks and hunting are prohibited in the park, as are pets. The key has no drinking water, so you'll have to bring your own. Since there are no stores on the key, you should also bring your own food and sunscreen. Consumption of alcoholic beverages on the key is prohibited.