A popular destination for sun worshipers, Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park is an easy getaway for most folks in the Miami area, which means it tends to be packed on the weekends.
And no wonder: with water sports rentals, two restaurants, and sparkling beaches, it’s a desirable destination at the farthest point of Key Biscayne away from the city.
Resources
Resources for exploring the area
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Overview
Location: Key Biscayne
Trailhead: 25.680886,-80.157434
Address: 1200 S. Crandon Blvd, Key Biscayne
Fees: $4-8 per vehicle
Restrooms: multiple locations
Land Manager: Florida State Parks
Phone: 786-582-2673
Open 8 AM until sunset. Leashed pets welcome except on beach.
Park gates close when the park is at capacity.
Directions
Cross the Rickenbacker Causeway to Virginia Key, continue onto Key Biscayne, and drive to the end of the road.
About the Park
Walk or bike around the park to see funky Stiltsville – a collection of old fishing shacks built over the reefs – from the seawall, and to get into its natural side where moonflower vines drape over the edge of the tropical hammock.
First built in 1825 and reconstructed in 1846, the Cape Florida Lighthouse is an unmistakable landmark from land and water. It’s the oldest standing structure in this part of Florida, and is open for tours.
Visitors are allowed to anchor overnight in No Name Harbor for $20 per boat per night. Restrooms and bathhouse available. Camping is available to groups only, including youth groups, which meet the participation requirements.
Hike or Bike
Cape Florida Nature Trail
At Cape Florida State Park, the 1.5 mile nature trail loop bisects the natural areas of the park between the lighthouse and marina and shows you views of Stiltsville in Biscayne Bay
Trail Map
Nearby Adventures
More worth exploring while you’re in this area.
Bear Cut Preserve
Protecting natural habitats at the north end of Crandon Park, Bear Cut Preserve offers a different perspective on the shoreline of Key Biscayne, with footpaths and bike paths for exploration.
Vizcaya Museum & Gardens
The grandiose home of industrialist James Deering may be the star attraction, but the gardens of Vizcaya, set along Biscayne Bay, rival those of any formal estate.
The Barnacle Historic State Park
In 1891, Commodore Ralph Middleton Munroe built his cherished retreat, The Barnacle, in the dense jungle of the Miami Hammock. The Barnacle Historic State Park preserves that tiny sliver of history surrounded by urban Miami.
Matheson Hammock Trails
One of the wilder places showcasing a remaining piece of the ancient Miami Hammock, the Hammock Trails at Matheson Hammock Park immerses you in a tropical forest.