The Egmont Key State Park and National Wildlife Refuge has rich history, and an equally rich abundance of wildlife. Surveyed by Spanish explorers in 1757, the island was named Egmont Key for the Earl of Egmont. The difficult and dangerous navigation at the mouth of Tampa Bay resulted in the construction of the first lighthouse, which was later replaced in 1858. Egmont Key was a military reservation until 1974, when the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service took over and the area became a state park.

Today, the refuge can only be accessed by boat, and you can make your way to the northernmost tip of the island to discover the lighthouse. Other long-abandoned ruins can be found along the island, giving it a unique character and atmosphere. Some of the beaches are off-limits, for these are areas where sea turtles, shorebirds and other migratory birds make a home for themselves. Of course, there are plenty of lovely creatures you will encounter on your way. The gopher tortoises roam the brick roads and island trails, and scores of terns hop about the shores in summer months. You can spot them basking in sandy spots, or diving into the waters to find food. You just might heard the laughing gulls before you see them, for Egmont Key is where the highest number of nesting laughing gulls have been spotted. You might find brown pelicans in beach dunes, and other lovely wildlife in the coastal grasslands. Your visit to this wildlife refuge will be unforgettable.