Biscayne National Park

Biscayne National Park

National Park · Florida, United States
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Biscayne National Park is an American national park located south of Miami, Florida in Miami-Dade County. The park preserves Biscayne Bay and its offshore barrier reefs. Ninety-five percent of the park is water, and the shore of the bay is the location of an extensive mangrove forest. The park covers 172,971 acres and includes Elliott Key, the park's largest island and northernmost of the true Florida Keys, formed from fossilized coral reef.

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Just a few miles from hip and bustling downtown Miami, a park teeming with a different kind of life — native marine species from manatees, to sea turtles, to corals — offers a glimpse into the fabulous diversity of this slice of America. Winter is the busy season, but locals can visit year-round. Whenever you come, be sure to plan ahead before visiting this true “waterpark” — 95% of the park is water.
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National Park Urban Escapes
National Park Foundation15 places
Hear the word “park," and you immediately think of trees, but Biscayne National Park is 95% underwater, making it the perfect spot to explore marine life. Divers and snorkelers are often impressed by the clear waters and coral reefs. Places like the Biscayne National Park Institute offer experiential programs daily like snorkeling and scuba trips highlighting the park's history, wildlife, and delicate ecosystems. Boat tour options are available, too.
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Best Outdoor Activities in Miami
Miami & Miami Beach10 places
The lucid waters, coral reefs, and mangrove shorelines of Florida’s Biscayne National Park are preserved as public lands thanks to a family of Black farmers. At the turn of the 20th century, philosopher and preacher Israel Jones and his wife Mozelle built their homestead on an island in south Florida, then became some of the most successful lime producers in the state. Today, the Jones Porgy Key homesite is accessible via shallow-draft vessel.
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Find Black History at These NPS Sites
Roadtrippers6 places
Despite being in sight of downtown Miami, Biscayne National Park feels like another world with amphibians and birds roaming the land and colorful coral and fish lurking just below sea line. Biscayne offers two campsites, Elliott Key and Boca Chita Key, both of which are on islands and, therefore, only accessible by boat. You’ll need to bring your own drinking water, but toilets are available. As for showers, those will have to wait until you’re back home.
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The best camping spots in the USA
Time Out10 places
Within sight of downtown Miami, yet worlds away, Biscayne is a watery wonderland that protects a rare combination of aquamarine waters, emerald islands, and fish-bejeweled coral reefs. Here too is evidence of 10,000 years of human history, from pirates and shipwrecks to pineapple farmers and presidents. Though most of the park is covered by water, a short 1/4-mile jetty trail is available at Convoy Point.
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Miami's Best Hikes for Kids
Tinybeans6 places
Most of Biscayne National Park can only be seen by boat, but the exception is the Jetty Trail near the visitor center. This coastal boardwalk provides views of mangrove trees and shellfish communities at the water’s edge. Look over the ocean to see many kinds of birds, and perhaps even fish or dolphins. Whether or not you board a vessel to explore more of the park, you can enjoy a glimpse of Biscayne’s natural environment here.
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Best Hikes in Biscayne National Park
FATMAP3 places
Sure, 95 percent of Biscayne National Park is underwater, but it’s free to visit. The visitor center is home to movies, art galleries, museum exhibits, walking paths, boat tours, and a porch with rocking chairs where you can relax and enjoy the views of Biscayne Bay.
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16 Free U.S. National Parks
Roadtrippers16 places
“Water world” is an apt description of this south Florida park, as 95 percent of it is underwater. Slip beneath the surface, though, while snorkeling and you’ll discover a realm of rainbow-hued coral reefs swarming with fish. Beginning snorkelers can sign up to explore coral ledges, while those who don’t like to get wet can take a glass-bottom boat tour to peer into the park’s marine life. Families can also hop into a canoe or kayak and drift through mangrove swamps and lagoons.
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Discover America's National Parks
National Park Foundation63 places
“Water world” is an apt description of this south Florida park, as 95 percent of it is underwater. Slip beneath the surface, though, while snorkeling and you’ll discover a realm of rainbow-hued coral reefs swarming with fish. Beginning snorkelers can sign up to explore coral ledges, while those who don’t like to get wet can take a glass-bottom boat tour to peer into the park’s marine life. Families can also hop into a canoe or kayak and drift through mangrove swamps and lagoons.
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National Parks Perfect for Play
National Park Foundation14 places
Located within sight of downtown Miami, popular activities at Biscayne National Park include boating, snorkeling, camping, and wildlife watching. Within the park, which is over 90 percent water, enjoy the extensive mangrove forest along the shoreline, a portion of the world's third-longest living coral reef, and the northernmost Florida Keys. And don’t miss out on scuba diving or snorkeling along the Maritime Heritage Trail, where you can explore the remains of six shipwrecks.
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10 National Park Trips from Miami
National Park Foundation10 places

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