The refuge is part of the largest expanses of mangrove forest in North America. As such the refuge protects important mangrove habitats and a rich diversity of native wildlife, including several endangered species. The Gulf Coast Visitor Center serves as the gateway for exploring the maze of mangrove islands and waterways that extends to Flamingo and Florida Bay accessible only by boat in this region. Although there is one exception, the Ten Thousand Islands Marsh Trail. The U.S. 41 Oil Pad road is turned into a walking interpretive trail into the mangrove mazes and with a wildlife observation tower along the road.
This is the official Park Map and Brochure by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The refuge is part of the largest expanses of mangrove forest in North America. As such the refuge protects important mangrove habitats and a rich diversity of native wildlife, including several endangered species. The Gulf Coast Visitor Center serves as the gateway for exploring the maze of mangrove islands and waterways that extends to Flamingo and Florida Bay accessible only by boat in this region. Although there is one exception, the Ten Thousand Islands Marsh Trail. The U.S. 41 Oil Pad road is turned into a walking interpretive trail into the mang...