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Hike Bike Paddle Camp Florida with authors Sandra Friend and John Keatley as your guides

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Palms along an atoll

Matheson Hammock Park

A tropical retreat along the coast of Coral Gables, Matheson Hammock Park has two distinct sides: a wild slice of the ancient Miami Hammock and a waterfront with a man-made atoll on Biscayne Bay.

Biscayne Bay  |  Miami
( 25.682267, -80.271685 )      

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Set along the Biscayne Bay waterfront with a view of urban Miami glimmering in the distance, Matheson Hammock Park is a popular getaway for watersports.

But its wild side will tempt hikers best, with a tropical forest, a piece of the ancient Miami Hammock, to explore along its nature trails.

Sailboat in Biscayne Bay Sailboat headed into Biscayne Bay


Resources

Resources for exploring the area

South Florida Explorers Guide book cover 50 Hikes in South Florida book cover Hikers Guide to the Sunshine State book cover

Disclosure: As authors and affiliates, we receive earnings when you buy these through our links. This helps us provide public information on this website.


Overview

Location: Coral Gables
Trailhead: 25.682117, -80.271600
Address: 9610 Old Cutler Rd, Miami
Fees: $5 weekday/$7 weekend parking fee
Restroom: Provided in several locations
Land manager: Miami-Dade County
Phone: 305-665-5475

Matheson Hammock Park is open sunrise to sunset. Leashed dogs welcome.

Please honor signage and construction-related closures as the trails and trailhead are under renovation (Jan 2022). Given the tropical forest canopy, it gets dark along its trails earlier than sunset.

Boats near palm and bench


Directions

 
From US 1 in Dadeland, north of Coral Gables, take SW 88th St (Kendall Rd) 2.2 miles east to Old Cutler Rd. Turn south. Matheson Hammock Park is on the left, immediately north of Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden.

About the Park

Found at Matheson Hammock Park, Florida’s only atoll may be man-made, but the coral rock is native and genuine.

The flush of sea water through it with the tides makes for a gentle, clean pool in which to swim.

Atoll beach Miami Swimming atoll at Matheson Hammock Park


Set along Biscayne Bay, the beach has a nice sweep of sand good for sunbathing and wading into the shallows.

The county marina is the home of Castle Harbor Sailing School, and there is a restaurant, the Red Fish Grill, on the beach.

Marina Miami Marina at Matheson Hammock Park


The shaded part of Matheson Hammock Park feels like a jungle, and it adjoins popular Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden.

The East Hammock Trail trail slips away from the historic coral rock picnic pavilions to Old Cutler Road through the tropical hammock.

Picnic tables and path East Hammock Trail in the picnic grounds


On the opposite side of the road is the West Hammock Trail, is dense with tropical trees and rugged limestone oolite rock, full of holes.

Matheson Hammock Trail

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.


Explore More!

Slideshow

See our photos of Matheson Hammock Park


Nearby Adventures

More worth exploring while you’re in this area.

Fairchild Tropical Gardens

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Established in 1938 as one of the world’s largest collections of tropical plants, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is an integral part of the history of Florida botany and of Coral Gables.

Pinecrest Gardens

Pinecrest Gardens

Established in the 1930s as a tropical tourist attraction, Parrot Jungle, this tropical forest in Pinecrest has deep roots, if you will, showcasing both native and exotic tropical species.

The Barnacle

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.

Cape Florida State Park

Cape Florida State Park

A popular destination for sun worshipers, Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park is an easy getaway for most folks in the Miami area, with a long strand of beachfront complimenting trails along Biscayne Bay and a historic lighthouse at the point.

Official Website

Category: Beaches, Canoe & Kayak Rentals, County Parks, Hikes, Nature Trails, Paddling, Parks, Southeast Florida, TrailsTag: Accessible, Biscayne Bay, Boating, Botanical, Coral Gables, Family-Friendly, Fishing, Miami, Picnic

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Pond apple tree

Daggerwing Nature Center

Daggerwing Nature Center
Trail through tall grass and pines

DuPuis Loops 1 & 2

DuPuis Loops 1 & 2
Hiker in a dry cypress strand

Florida Trail, Ocean to Lake: DuPuis to Corbett

Florida Trail, Ocean to Lake: DuPuis to Corbett
Path through tall grass between pines

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