Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce

Welcome to Big Pine and the Lower Florida Keys! We're glad you stopped by our site to check out all that the Keys have to offer! We work hard to make sure we are your one stop for all the info you need to enjoy your vacation or plan your move down here. We have happenings and events going on all the time and it is in your best interest to check back with us often. With all that said, make sure you take a look at our Calendar of Events and plan on coming out for some fun in the warm Florida sun! Where to stay in The Lower Keys There are so many wonderful places to stay in the Lower Florida Keys. From beautiful resorts and hotels to campgrounds and marinas or even magnificent, private homes. Whether your style is being pampered by the pool or getting in touch with nature at a beach-front campground, the choice is yours... Camping is extremely popular in the Lower Keys. The wide land mass and unique terrain provide an excellent environment for the many campgrounds and marinas. Ranging from small, private parks to the large resort-type camping areas, the Lower Keys have it all for true nature enthusiasts. The Lower Florida Keys offer a wide variety of water sports. Fishing, diving and snorkeling top the list. Offshore, backcountry and bridge fishing are easily accessible. Other water related activities include water-skiing, sailing, boating and windsurfing. Kayaking and canoeing are also popular methods of exploring the beautiful waterways of the Lower Keys. So much water...and so little time. The beauty of the Lower Keys is an attraction in itself. Lush vegetation, crystal blue water and unique wildlifeprovide a wonderland of colors and gestures. The Lower Keys rich history also provides some of this area's most famous and intriguing points of interest. As glorious as the sun, water and sky, one cannot miss the exquisite colors produced by the lush landscape of the Lower Keys. A variety of gorgeous colors are produced by the bougainvillaea, hibiscus, orchid and frangipani. Indigenous trees such as the shade-producing mahogany, the harmful poisonwood, the aerial-rooted banyans, the peeling gumbo limbo, the delectable sea grape and the graceful mangrove enhance the landscape. Tropical treats like Key limes, tamarinds, mangos, sapodilla, avocados, papayas and starfruit are grown here as well. The mangrove tree is one of the very substances that helped to create the fabulous Keys. This "man-like" tree grows in the shallow salt water areas of the Florida Bay or backcountry. Layers of silt and sea grass collect under their branches to eventually make a small island. There's so much to see...one visit is never enough.