BISCAYNE NATIONAL PARK Miami, Key Biscayne & Homestead, FL
Description
Biscayne National Park is a wonderful place to visit. The mangrove shoreline, crystal clear waters, emerald isles, and living coral reefs attract near 500,000 visitors a year. Most of these visitors enter the park by private boat. They fish, cruise, and enjoy the waters of the park. They picnic and camp on the islands. And with snorkel or dive tanks, they explore the exciting kaleidoscope of life which is the living coral reefs.
Biscayne National Park is the largest marine park in the National Park System, with 95% of its 173,000 acres covered by water.
Contact Information
Biscayne National Park
9700 SW 328th Street
Homestead, FL 33033-5634
(305) 230-7275
Directions
From North
Convoy Point can be reached from either the Florida Turnpike or from US-1.
From the Florida Turnpike: Take the Florida Turnpike south, to Exit 6 (Speedway Blvd.). Turn left from exit ramp and continue south to S.W. 328th Street (North Canal Drive). Turn left and continue to the end of the road. It is approximately five miles, and the entrance is on the left.
From US-1: Drive south to Homestead. Turn left on SW 328th Street (North Canal Drive), and continue to the end of the road. It is approximately nine miles, and the entrance is on the left.
From South
US-1 (Overseas Hwy), drive north to Homestead. Turn right on SW 328th Street (North Canal Drive--first light after Florida Turnpike entrance), and continue to the end of the road. It is approximately nine miles, and the entrance is on the left.
By Air
If traveling by air, Miami International Airport is about 35 miles from Convoy Point. Car rentals are available at the airport. There is no public transportation to the park.
Season and Hours of Operation
The water portion of Biscayne National Park is open 24 hours a day. Convoy Point is open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The Dante Fascell Visitor Center is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
GETTING THERE
Plane
The closest major airport is Miami International, approximately 35 miles from the park.
Car
Convoy Point (park headquarters and the Dante Fascell Visitor Center) is located nine miles east of Homestead, Florida, on SW 328 Street. Please use the "more" link below for detailed driving directions.
Bus
Greyhound Bus Lines offers service Homestead, but there is no regularly scheduled transportation from there to park headquarters.
Getting Around Biscayne National Park is 95% water, so seeing anything beyond the visitor center area requires a boat. The park's concessioner offers several options, including glass-bottom boat tours, snorkel and dive trips and island excursions. Canoes and kayaks are an ideal way to explore the park's mangrove shoreline, and can be rented from the park's concessioner.
FACILITIES
Dante Fascell Visitor Center
Open
Open All Year 9:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m.
Phone
305-230-7275
Location
Nine miles east of Homestead, Florida on SW 328 Street.
The park is covered by 95% of water, so the best way to get to know Biscayne is to get wet - or at least get out on a boat. A park concessioner offers several opportunities for those without a boat of their own, including glass bottom boat tours, snorkeling trips, dive trips, island excursions, and canoe & kayak rentals. Interpretive programs are conducted regularly by rangers at the Dante Fascell Visitor Center, where exhibits and films also provide an introduction to the park.
CAMPING
Boca Chita Key Campground
Open - Open All Year
Phone
305-230-7275
Details
Open, waterside, grassy camping area with picnic tables and grills. Toilets are available on the island, but there are no sinks, showers or drinking water. ACCESSIBLE BY BOAT ONLY. Fees: $10/night/site; $15/night/site if you have a boat in the harbor. Paying fees is the responsibility of the camper, and should be paid upon arrival. Any vessel in the harbor after 6:00 p.m. is considered an overnight stay, and fees must be paid in cash (bills or coins, $20 or under only) at the kiosk near the harbor.
Elliott Key Campground
Open - Open All Year
Phone
305-230-7275
Details
Waterside and forested camping areas on a 7-mile long island. Picnic tables and grills are available. Restrooms with sinks and cold water showers are available. Drinking water is available on the island, but bring some of your own as a precaution should the system go down. Two trails tunnel through the island's tropical hardwood hammock. One trail runs the entire 7-mile of the island (14 miles roundtrip), and another loops for approximately one mile near the harbor. ACCESSIBLE BY BOAT ONLY. To arrange for transportation to the island with the park's concessioner, call 305-230-1100. Fees: $10/night/site; $15/night/site if you have a boat in the harbor. Paying fees is the responsibility of the camper, and should be paid upon arrival. Any vessel in the harbor after 6:00 p.m. is considered an overnight stay, and fees must be paid in cash (bills or coins, $20 or under only) at the kiosk near the harbor.
