Biscayne National Park

Usual hours

• Mon–Sun 7:00–17:30

From 56 published days, 2026-10-21 to 2026-12-15; community-mapped.

About

Entrance / day-use fee applies.

This park's official page lists: Visitor center.

Within sight of Miami, yet worlds away, Biscayne protects a rare combination of aquamarine waters, emerald islands, and fish-bejeweled coral reefs. Evidence of 10,000 years of human history is here too; from prehistoric tribes to shipwrecks, and pineapple farmers to presidents. For many, the park is a boating, fishing, and diving destination, while others enjoy a warm breeze and peaceful scenery.

Official facts

Public access: Open access.

Protected area: 172,435 acres (69,782 ha).

Designation: National Park. Listed as "Biscayne National Park" in the Protected Areas Database of the United States. Protection: managed for biodiversity, natural processes allowed (GAP 1). IUCN category II.

Established: 1980.

Managed by: NPS.

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gap Analysis Project (GAP), 2025, Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) 4.1

At the park

• Visitor center exhibit
• Boating water
• Fishing water
• Paddling (kayak/canoe) water
• Snorkeling water

Events

• Ranger's Choice 11a
• Ranger's Choice 3p
• Fishing Clinic
• Park After Dark - Jeepers on the Jetty
• Bird Art 11:00 AM–12:00 PM · Upstairs Porch Dante Fascell Visitor Center 9700 SW 328th St, Homestead, FL 33033
• Introduction to Birdwatching 09:30 AM–10:30 AM · Upstairs Porch Dante Fascell Visitor Center 9700 SW 328th St, Homestead, FL 33033
• Bark After Dark 01:00 PM–07:00 PM · 9700 SW 328th Street Sir Lancelot Jones Way Homestead, FL 33033
• Park After Dark 02:00 PM–07:30 PM · 9700 SW 328th Street Sir Lancelot Jones Way Homestead, FL 33033

Before you go

First aid

In-park (mapped location) — First aid station marked on the park map. Confirm the current location with any team member on arrival.

Getting there

The Dante Fascell Visitor Center may be reached from the Florida Turnpike by taking Exit 6 (Speedway Boulevard). Turn left from exit ramp and continue south to SW 328th Street (North Canal Drive). Turn left on 328th Street and continue for four miles to the end of the road. The park entrance is on the left just before the entrance to Homestead Bayfront Marina.

Weather & when to go

The park is situated in a subtropical climate, which ensures sunshine year-round. Winters are normally dry and mild, with occasional fronts bringing wind and little rain. Summer brings hot and humid weather with scattered thunderstorms in the afternoons. The average temperature in January is 68 degrees Fahrenheit and 82 in July. The average rainfall for the area is 2.17 inches in January and 3.95 inches in July. June to November is hurricane season.

Park alert: Camping and Docking at Boca Chita and Elliott Keys

Day Use Docking at Boca Chita and Elliott Keys: $25.00 Friday - Monday and Federal Holidays. Overnight Camping and Docking at Boca Chita and Elliott Keys: $60.00 per night. Payments must be made on site using the recreation.gov phone app.

⚠ Caution: Boater Awareness

Please use caution in park waters due to navigational markers that may be missing or moved due to unforeseen circumstances.

Park alert: Ride Share Services

Convoy Point grounds, Jetty Trail, kayak launch, and picnic area open at 7 a.m. and close at 5:30 p.m. If you are using a ride share service for transportation to and from the park, ensure ride share services can be onsite before closing time.

Visitor center

Dante Fascell Visitor Center — The Dante Fascell Visitor Center is open 7 days a week from 9 AM - 5PM. — From the Florida Turnpike take Exit 6 (Speedway Boulevard). Turn left from exit ramp and continue south to SW 328th Street (North Canal Drive). Turn left on 328th Street and continue for four miles to the end of the road. The park entrance is on the left just before the entrance to Homestead Bayfront Marina.

Visitor center

Dante Fascell Visitor Center

Visitor center

Dante Fascell Visitor Center

Visitor center

Dante Fascell Visitor Center

Facilities on the park map

1 bench, 1 changing table, 1 defibrillator, 1 first aid kit, 1 first aid station, 1 picnic area, 2 restroom, 4 visitor information.

Where to stay

• Boca Chita Campground Boca Chita campground is located on an island. The only access is by boat. No services are available. Boca Chita Key features an iconic lighthouse and an open, waterside, grassy camping area with picnic tables and grills. Toilets are available, but there are no sinks, showers or drinking water. The harbor entrance at low tide is approximately four feet deep. Pets, with the exception of service ani · 60 campsites · Accessibility: The only access to these islands is by boat. There are no ADA campsites.
• Elliott Key Campground Elliott Key campground is located on an island. The only access is by boat. Elliott Key features waterside and partially forested camping areas, picnic tables, and grills. Restrooms with sinks and cold water showers are available. A mile-long loop hiking trail starts near the campground. Another walking trail, the infamous "Spite Highway" runs approximately six miles down the center of the island. · 20 campsites · Accessibility: The only access to the campground is by boat. There are no ADA campsites.

History

Opened

1980

• Park opened