Florida Keys
Wildlife Society
Supporting the National Wildlife Refuges of the Florida Keys through education, non-adversarial advocacy, volunteerism and fundraising
Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge, located at the north end of the Florida Keys, is home to many protected species including the American Crocodile. This refuge is closed to the public, but there are volunteer opportunities available (see below).
One of the primary reasons that the Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1980 was to protect and preserve critical habitat for the American crocodile. American crocodiles historically occurred throughout mangrove and estuarine areas of South Florida, including the Florida Keys.Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge, operating as a satellite of the National Key Deer Refuge, is on upper Key Largo in Monroe County, Florida, and was established under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 and the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965. The refuge was established in April 1980 and currently covers 6,700 acres, including 650 acres of open water. It contains a mosaic of habitat types including tropical hardwood hammock, mangrove forest, and salt marsh. These habitats are vital for hundreds of plants and animals, including eight federally listed species.
Volunteer opportunities at Croc Lake get you “behind the scenes” in this unique refuge. All events begin at Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters located at 10750 County Rd 905, Key Largo, FL 33037.
Crocodile Lake Office:
Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge
10750 County Rd 905
Key Largo, FL 33037
305-451-4223
crocodilelake@fws.gov
The Crocodile Lake NWR office is open during limited hours when staffing is available.
Know Before You Go:
Be aware that this refuge is closed to the public. Visitors can access the native pollinator garden and a refuge kiosk at the above address for Crocodile Lake NWR 7 days a week during daylight hours.
For more information, visit: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/crocodile_lake/
Crocodile captured on wildlife camera, Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge
NIKE MISSILE FLAGPOLE DEDICATION
Crocodile Lake NWR’s flagpole in front of the Headquarters Office is no ordinary flagpole – it was actually a lightning arrester from the old Nike Missile Site which is now Crocodile Lake NWR. An official dedication ceremony was held on November 12, 2018. “Dedicated to The men of the Nike Missile Site and the 52nd Air Defense Artillery.
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