15 Best Things to Do in Biscayne National Park 2024
WONDERING ABOUT THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN BISCAYNE NATIONAL PARK IN SOUTHERN FLORIDA?
We are here to help! We have traveled extensively through Florida, starting in 2016. We have seen so much of this beautiful state, including the unique national parks. We love traveling throughout the United States – but Florida is one of our favorite places to visit.
If you find yourself in southern Florida and curious about a national park in Miami, a trip to Biscayne National Park is well worth a visit. We have spent some time in Biscayne and used our experience in this national park to put together this guide.
Come along as we count down the very best things to do in Biscayne National Park.
Candice’s Pro Tips for Visiting Biscayne National Park
✔️ Don’t rule out visiting Biscayne National Park if you’re a young family. The Heritage tour is a great option for families with little kids who aren’t old enough for other tours. We took this tour, and it was a great way to explore the park. We really enjoyed it and think you will too!
✔️ Make sure to bring layers. Even on a warm day, it can be much colder out on the water, so it’s best to be prepared with a windbreaker or warmer jacket for each family member.
✔️ If the main beach on Boca Chita feels a little too crowded, take Boca Chita Key Trail to a secret oasis! A few minutes down the path, you will find a nice opening into the ocean. We had the whole stretch of beach to ourselves.
✔️ If you’re not planning to take a tour or spend time out on the water, a visit to this park might not be worth your time. The non-water related activities at this park are limited to the visitor center and a short walking path.
✔️ We recommend combining Biscayne National Park with a visit to Everglades National Park. Take a Biscayne tour in the morning and then spend the later afternoon exploring the Everglades for an epic single-day adventure. Make things even sweeter with a stop at the Robert Is Here Fruit Stand when driving between the two parks. It’s the best place to score a delicious milkshake or smoothie.
Things to Do in Biscayne National Park
Visiting Biscayne National Park is a lot of fun but does require some planning. It’s not like the typical park where you can drive in, find a hiking trail, and set off exploring. Tours and rental reservations should be made ahead of time.
We recommend spending a half-day to a full day exploring the park.
1. Kayaking in Biscayne National Park
There are a number of kayaking routes within Biscayne National Park (Florida) that will allow you to get up close with the mangrove shorelines and shallow bay waters of the park.
Jones Lagoon is a great place to see rays, jellyfish, birds, and fish. There is a bird rookery that you have to stay 300 feet from. This area is south of Adams Key and Caesar Creek and is composed of lagoons, creeks, and channels.
Hurricane Creek is another fun place for kayaking and snorkeling underneath the mangrove trees. This area of the mangroves is home to crabs, anemones, fish, and other ocean life.
If you are an experienced kayaker, you can paddle across the Biscayne Bay to Elliott or Boca Chita Key. It is about eight miles one way. On Elliott Key, you can explore the visitor center and hiking trails and enjoy the beach.
If you are a beginner, the Mowry Canal Paddle is an easy 2-mile trail that leaves from the visitor center and goes north through the mangroves. The manatees are here often during the cooler winter months, so be sure to have your camera close by to capture some Biscayne National Park photos!
Kayak Rentals in Biscayne National Park in Florida
Canoe, paddleboard, and kayak rentals are available starting at $25 for 90 minutes. The rentals start at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday to Sunday. They do not accept reservations for the rentals. They are first-come-first-served.
2. Paddling in Biscayne National Park
Biscayne National Park allows visitors to bring their own paddleboard or canoe into the park and launch it at one of the designated areas next to the parking lot. Best of all, it’s free! There is no launch fee.
When paddling in the park, be sure to go out with a buddy and check the weather for wind and rain. Make sure to pack enough water, food, and sun protection.
Biscayne National Park Institute Paddling Trip
The Biscayne National Park Institute offers half-day paddling trips or paddling as part of a full-day snorkel and paddle adventure. There are age limits on these tours, so be sure to check those requirements if you are visiting with kids. For example, the 3.5-hour Jones Lagoon Paddle Adventure is only for those 12 and older.
A shorter paddling trip allows for those six and older, and if you are on a private tour, those three and older can come.
3. Snorkeling in Biscayne National Park
Snorkeling in Biscayne National Park, Florida is one of the best places to go in the country. There is beautifully clear water, colorful and healthy coral reefs as well as shipwrecks in the shallow water. It is the beginning of the third-largest coral reef in the world.
It’s important to note that snorkeling is only allowed by boat. Beach and shore diving from the mainland or the outer keys is not permitted.
Most park visitors enjoy snorkeling on one of the many snorkeling boat tours out to the beautiful reef. We love that the tours provide all the snorkeling gear you need, so if you don’t have your own or just don’t want to lug around a beach tote full of gear, they can hook you up! The rental fee for the mask, snorkel, and fins is $10.
This truly is one of the best things to do in Biscayne National Park. It’s such a cool experience to share with your family. Kids and adults alike can catch sight of lobsters, hard and soft corals, shrimps, fans, and sponges, as well as parrotfish, squirrelfish, angelfish, blue tangs, and more.
The amount of time you have available to snorkel and enjoy the reef will depend on which tour option you choose. A half-day tour is a popular option for families, and it offers about an hour at the reef.
For the most comfortable and fun experience, we recommend bringing sun protection, a towel, sunscreen, water, and snacks when taking a snorkeling tour. There will be a cooler onboard your boat specifically designed to keep guest’s snacks and drinks chilled.
4. Enjoy the Heritage of Biscayne Cruise
During our Heritage of Biscayne Cruise, we had a great time cruising around the park on the boat. The boats are open-sided, so there are some things to keep in mind before you go.
We went on a nice and sunny day, so I didn’t even think to bring jackets. However, when we were driving fast and getting some water spray, my kids were freezing. It is a good idea to bring some sort of waterproof jacket, even if it is a nice and warm day.
Also, if you sit towards the back of the boat and in the middle, you will stay the driest. These seats are behind the captain, usually by the water cooler.
During our time cruising around the park, we learned a lot about the amazing history of Biscayne National Park from our tour guide. She shared lots of fascinating stories about the history of the park, the first settlers, and their important decisions in preserving the natural beauty of the area.
The boat rides to and from the keys went very fast, and there are lots of beautiful things to look at. Keep your eye open for the dolphins. It’s thrilling to see them thriving in their natural environment!
5. Boca Chita Key Trail
- Trail Length: 0.5 mile
- Trail Difficulty: Easy
- Route Type: Loop
There is a short loop around the part of Boca Chita Key away from the campground and dock. During our time on Boca Chita, we explored this trail and found a perfect little cove that we had all to ourselves.
We enjoyed the beautiful views and played at the beach. The cove is about 5 minutes into the trail.
Although the trail details have it as a loop, part of the trail was not accessible because a bridge had been washed out. For us, it was an out-and-back trail.
6. Adams Key Loop Trail
- Trail Length: 0.5 miles
- Trail Difficulty: Easy
- Route Type: Out & Back
When exploring Adams Key, this short hike will take you through the wooded area on the key. There are two trailheads for this semi-circular trail. The first is between the two park ranger homes, and the other is next to the Adams Key brown sign.
It is a well-maintained trail, but there is not a lot to see along the way. The trail is smooth dirt. There are no ocean views. The trail simply runs through the forest.
7. Elliott Key Loop Trail
- Trail Length: 1.1 miles
- Trail Difficulty: Easy
- Route Type: Out & Back
We love hiking with our family, and this is a fun trail to check out when visiting this park. Unlike the trail on Adams Key, the Elliott Key Loop Trail will give you a great view of the key as well as stunning views of the bayside and Atlantic side of the key.
The trail is a U-shape with trailheads on each side of the harbor. The easiest trailhead to find is on the left of the harbor near the picnic tables.
As you are hiking, it looks like part of the trail got washed away. You just need to keep hiking straight through that section, and then you can meet back up with the trail. Most of the trail is dirt, but there is a boardwalk along the Atlantic Ocean.
8. Convoy Trail (Jetty Trail)
- Trail Length: 0.6 miles
- Trail Difficulty: Easy
- Route Type: Out & Back
This short trail is the only trail on the mainland part of the park. So this is the one you would explore if you decide not to take any boat tours. The trail leaves near the Visitor Center. You will walk over a long bridge and then onto a jetty over the water.
If you are leaving on a boat tour from the visitor center, you will go by this jetty trail. It is really a pretty trail and well worth the short walk. At the end of the jetty, there is a Colonial Bird Protection Area.
9. Spite Trail
- Trail Length: 14 miles
- Trail Difficulty: Easy
- Route Type: Out & Back
This is by far the longest and only really challenging hike in Biscayne National Park just because of how long it is. The Spite Trail runs the entire length of Elliott Key. Originally, the trail was cut as a six-lane highway running down the middle of the island; however, those plans were halted when the Biscayne National Monument was created in 1968.
The trail does not go completely from end to end, so you cannot have a boat pick you up at one end, which is why it is an out-and-back type of trail. To hike the entire 14 miles takes about 6-7 hours. Keep in mind that this trail does run right down the middle of the key, so there are no ocean views.
This route is known for swarms of bugs, so we highly recommend bringing a powerful bug spray when hiking this trail.
10. Check out the Visitor’s Center
The visitor center is the only part of Biscayne National Park, Florida, that is accessible by car on the mainland. The park rangers stationed there are a great resource to consider when planning how to spend your time in Biscayne National Park.
Inside the visitor’s center, there are a few short videos in the auditorium and a variety of educational exhibits. The exhibits show the habitats of Biscayne Bay, from the mangrove shorelines to coral reefs.
Also included within the visitor center walls is the Dante Fascell Visitor Center Art Gallery. The gallery hosts rotating art exhibits. The artwork is inspired by South Florida wildlife and natural history. We really enjoyed taking a few extra minutes to admire the artwork inspired by this beautiful park while making our way through the visitor center.
11. Take a Historic Boat Tour
A boat tour of historic Stiltsville in Biscayne National Park is a great way to experience a portion of the park without dedicating a full day to the experience. This tour from Miami explores the Miami River and surrounding area, spending just a portion of the time covering Stiltsville within the park’s boundaries.
▶️ BOOK Boat Tour of Historic Stiltsville in Biscayne National Park
12. Take a Lighthouse Cruise
If you have any lighthouse lovers in your family, consider taking the Deering Estate Lighthouses Cruise. This ranger-led tour through Biscayne Bay only happens once a month, but it’s a fun and informative way to explore the park if your schedule allows for it.
The tour highlights Cape Florida, Fowey Rocks, and Boca Chita lighthouses.
13. Fishing and Lobstering
Fishing and lobstering are allowed in Biscayne National Park, FL and it can be a really fun way to spend some of your time here. Keep in mind that you do need to have a Florida State fishing license. You do not need a special license from the National Park Service. Kids under the age of 16 do not need a license.
There are some areas closed to fishing, like in the key harbors. Be sure to read all of the rules and regulations for fishing in Biscayne National Park online before heading out.
14. Camping
Camping in Biscayne National Park is available on Boca Chica Key and Elliott Key and is one of the fun things to do in Biscayne National Park. Both of these campgrounds are only accessible by boat. There are restrooms available, but you should be sure to bring your own drinking water.
Cost: $25 per night
This fee includes boat docking and a tent site for up to six people and two tents. Exact payment is required at the kiosk. The campsites are first-come, first-serve.
The Biscayne National Park camping and docking fees are waived between May 1 and September 30. Pets are only allowed at the Elliott Key Campground.
If you are leaving a vehicle in the parking lot overnight to camp on one of the park islands, be sure to stop in at the Biscayne National Park Visitor Center to get a free overnight parking permit.
15. Boating
If you have your own boat, keep in mind that the visitor center and park do not allow motorized boat launches. There are a few marinas nearby that do. The Homestead Bayfront Marina, Black Point Marina, Matheson Hammock Marina, and Crandon Marina all allow motorized boat launches.
Homestead Bayfront Marina is just south of the park at Convoy Point. It has a nice swimming area and beach as well as a boat launch. Another fun option is Black Point Marina.
There is a bike path, fishing jetty, restaurant, as well as a kayak and canoe launch.
Keys in Biscayne National Park
Biscayne National Park lies at the northern end of the Florida Keys. Biscayne Bay has a maximum depth of about 12 feet of water, which supports the seagrass, home to shrimp, lobsters, fish, turtles, and manatees. There are about 50 keys that form a chain separating the bay from the Atlantic Ocean.
Boca Chita Key
We visited Boca Chita Key during our tour with the Biscayne National Park Institute. It is a small island, but there is plenty to do and see. If you visit the key on a tour, you will only have about an hour on the island, which goes fast.
If you are wondering what to do on Boca Chita Key, there are a few options. First, you can climb the lighthouse. It is a short walk to the top and has beautiful views of Biscayne Bay.
There is a small beach on the island where you can relax and swim.
There is also a short 0.5-mile trail called Boca Chita Key Trail. A few minutes into this trail, there is a nice opening into the ocean. This is where we hung out and had the place to ourselves despite the island being full of people on the weekend.
Stiltsville
Stiltsville is one of the most unique and interesting parts of Biscayne National Park. It is a collection of stilt houses built on sand flats a mile offshore from the Cape Florida lighthouse. There are currently seven homes there, but at one time, there were as many as twenty-seven.
Originally, the stilt structures were built for bait, beer, crawfish chowder, and gambling. Gambling was only legal if it was at least one mile offshore. As time went by, other social clubs were added as they were looking for legal leeway away from the mainland.
Elliott Key
Elliott Key is the largest of the three visitor-friendly keys at Biscayne National Park. There is a harbor and boat dock that allows for overnight docking. On the island, you will find a campground, picnic area, and two hiking trails – Elliott Key Loop Trail and the Spite Trail.
Elliott Key usually isn’t as busy as Boca Chita Key. There is fresh water on the island, including drinking water, cold water showers, and flush toilets. You have to pack your garbage out with you.
Adams Key
Adams Key is the least popular of the developed keys in Biscayne National Park. It is open for day use only. There is a small picnic area with a couple of tables, and you can hike Adams Key Loop Trail, which takes you through the maritime forest.
There are some nice lagoons with a variety of different fish. It is a popular place to launch a paddling adventure. There are two homes on Adams Key for park rangers to live in if they would like to. These homes are closed to the public.
Best Time to Visit Biscayne National Park
The dry season in Florida is from December to April. We visited Biscayne National Park in March and had really nice weather. We did get a little chilly on the boat ride, and it wasn’t overly warm for swimming, but my kids had no problem playing in the ocean.
In the summertime, it rains a lot in Biscayne. The humidity and temperature in the summer months in Florida are HOT! There are also lots of mosquitos on the keys during the summer months. In August, the temperature averages around 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
The hotter months obviously have warmer weather but also calmer seas, which are better for snorkeling in Biscayne National Park.
The best time to go will depend on the weather you would like. I thought our weather in March was very nice. If you wanted the weather to be a little warmer without the mosquitos and extremely hot temperatures, you could visit in April or early May.
How to Get to Biscayne National Park
If you’ve never visited before, you may be wondering how to visit Biscayne National Park. Biscayne National Park is in southern Florida, south of Miami in Homestead. The Dante Fascell Visitor Center is about 55 minutes from downtown Miami.
Dante Fascell Visitor Center
9700 SW 328th Street
Homestead, Florida 33033
There is also a free trolley that goes into the park from Homestead, making visiting Biscayne National Park very easy. The Homestead National Parks Trolley runs every weekend from November through April. It drops off at the Dante Fascell Visitor Center and the Homestead Bayfront Marina.
The trolley also goes to Everglades National Park. Boat tours through the Everglades is one of our favorite ways to explore this area of the state, and highly recommend taking one if you decide to check out that national park.
Biscayne National Park Hours and Entrance Fees
The park waters are open 24 hours a day, all year. The Biscayne National Park Visitor Center is open seven days a week from 9 AM to 5 PM. The canoe/kayak launch is open seven days a week from 7 AM – 5:30 PM.
Adams Key is open from 9 AM to sunset. Elliott Key and Boca Chita Key are open for overnight camping.
Conveniently, there is no entrance fee or pass required for Biscayne National Park. But, if your family frequents State and National Parks like we do, we definitely recommend the America The Beautiful Pass.
This annual pass covers entrance fees at lands managed by the National Park Service and US Fish & Wildlife Service, which includes a ton of state and national parks!
Getting Around Biscayne National Park
Because the park is 95% water, the best way to see Biscayne National Park is by boat. Without getting out on the water, the only thing to do is explore the Visitor’s Center and explore the few trails surrounding the Visitor’s Center.
What to Bring to Biscayne National Park
Waterproof Bag
Make sure to have a waterproof bag to carry everything you need during your day. We can’t recommend this enough! A waterproof bag will help you keep everything dry on the boat, kayak, or at the beach.
Bug Spray
Even during the cooler months, mosquitos love Biscayne National Park. You don’t want to have a beautiful day in the park ruined by pesky mosquitos, so make sure to pack some bug spray.
Sun Protection
The Florida sun is hot, and getting sunburned is no fun. When spending time at Biscayne National Park, we make sure to keep our family protected with sunscreen throughout the day. And I make sure to wear a hat too! My fair skin burns so quickly.
Water Bottle
On a hot Florida day, you will need to bring lots of water. We love our Nalgene water bottles because they are durable and don’t leak.
Waterproof Jacket
It might seem silly to recommend bringing a jacket to a national park in Florida, but even on warm days, the boat ride can be a little chilly when you are driving fast. We recommend bringing a waterproof jacket along for optimal comfort.
What is Biscayne National Park Known For?
Biscayne National Park is 95% water and is home to four different ecosystems and the third-largest offshore reef in the world. It is home to coral reefs, undeveloped islands, mangrove coasts, wildlife, and some of the bluest water in Florida. It is the largest marine sanctuary in the U.S. National Parks system.
About Biscayne National Park Institute
Biscayne National Park Institute is a partnership between Biscayne National Park and Florida National Parks Association. The Institute’s mission is to connect people to the park through educational programs that build understanding and appreciation. Proceeds from their programs are used to support the park.
Biscayne National Park Institute offers a variety of different adventures in Biscayne National Park. Their boat tours often combine island visits with history, paddling, and snorkeling. This wide variety of activities ensures that families won’t have a hard time finding a tour that meets the needs of the group they are visiting with.
We went on the Heritage of Biscayne Cruise and had a great time. Our Biscayne National Park tour was 3.5 hours and found this to be a great tour for our family, especially with our young toddler, who isn’t quite ready for snorkeling.
If you don’t want to get in the water, this is a great tour option. We got to see a bunch of the different keys in the park from the water, and at our last stop, Boca Chita, we got to explore the key. There is no snorkeling or paddling on this Biscayne National Park boat tour.
They have a variety of other different boat cruises, so be sure to read through the cruise description online to find a tour that best meets your group’s interests.
FAQ: Things to Do in Biscayne National Park
What are Some Things to Do in Biscayne National Park?
Some of the most fun things to do in Biscayne National Park include snorkeling and kayaking. Because the majority of the park is water, there aren’t as many land-based activities, but there are some fun hikes worth exploring.
Is It Worth Going to Biscayne National Park?
If you’re planning on taking a boat tour or spending some time on the water kayaking or paddling, we definitely recommend stopping by Biscayne National Park. That said, this might not be the best park option for families that aren’t as interested or comfortable on the water.
How Do I Spend a Day in Biscayne National Park?
There are many different ways to spend a day in Biscayne National Park, depending on your interests and your family’s comfort level and capabilities in the water. If you’ve got experience paddling, this is a great spot to spend some time on your paddleboard or even to kayak through the mangroves.
If you happen to have children who are old enough to swim and are curious about marine life, we definitely recommend taking a snorkeling boat tour. The park is rich with colorful reefs and phenomenal sea life.
How Long Do You Need at Biscayne National Park?
The amount of time you spend in Biscayne National Park will completely depend on your interests and timeline. If you’ve got all the time in the world and love being out on the water, you could spend a full day here.
We find that most families could probably experience the highlights of the park in half a day. This is why we recommend pairing a trip to Biscayne National Park with an adventure in Everglades, another one of Florida’s national parks.
What Can You Do in Biscayne National Park Without a Boat?
You don’t have to have your own boat to enjoy Biscayne National Park. The park institute offers cruises and different boat trips for a fee. The varied tours include activities like snorkeling and exploring the keys. This is a great way to explore the park without a boat.
If you’d rather explore the water area around the visitor center on your own, kayaks are also available to rent.
If you don’t want to spend any time on the water, activities at this park are limited to exploring the visitor center or taking a walk on the surrounding nature paths. It won’t give you a comprehensive look at the park, but it is better than nothing.
Where is Biscayne National Park Located?
Biscayne National Park is in southern Florida, south of Miami, in a town called Homestead.
Are Pets Allowed in Biscayne National Park?
For the most part, pets are not permitted in Biscayne National Park. The only place you can play with your pooch at this park is at the Elliot Key Campground.
Is Biscayne National Park Always Open?
Yes, the park waters are always open, 24 hours a day, all year. Those interested in checking out the visitor center will need to visit between the hours of 9 AM and 5 PM, any day of the week. The kayak launch is also open every day from 7 AM – 5:30 PM.
Conclusion: Things to Do in Biscayne National Park
We’ve traveled to many different spots throughout the United States, and exploring national parks is one of our all-time favorite activities to do along the way. We loved spending time on the water as a family, exploring this unique and fascinating part of our country.
Though it might not be the best choice for all families, if your kids love spending time in the water and have an adventurous spirit, we certainly think a visit here will be worth your time.
We hope this post has opened your eyes to all the fun and varied things to do in Biscayne National Park. If you decide to explore the waters here, we hope you have an amazing time and can’t wait to hear all about your adventure in the comments!
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