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    Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park

    4.4 (237 reviews)
    Open 8:00 am - 7:00 pm

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    A view from the dunes.
    Sergio M.

    Well maintained, ample parking, groomed sand and facilities. We like area B better than the end. Get there early if you want a promo spot on the sand. And over the summer in addition to SPF sunscreen, bring some OFF for the mosquitoes just in case. Even if you just go for a few hours -- it's a good mental reset.

    Sara C.

    Bill Baggs is a great little beach and park for lazing away a day in the sand and surf. It's super clean in my experience and the water is very clear and pure. There are folding chairs and umbrellas available right there on the beach for a small rental charge, which is very convenient if you forgot one. There are lots of activities to do if you're wanting more of an active visit. There are bikes to rent, boating, fishing, hiking, etc. Be cautious if you swim, though, because we have seen stingrays and jellyfish in the water and washed up on the beach, but that's true of any ocean beach. The coolest part of Bill Baggs is the lighthouse that is situated there. Very Instagrammable at sunset and neat to see during the day too. For a clean and cool place to relax a day away in Miami, definitely check out Bill Baggs!

    Lin H.

    Went for a hike in this beautiful park and I think I will return again to go to the beach . Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park State park located in Key Biscayne, Florida, USA Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Recreation Area occupies approximately the southern third of the island of Key Biscayne, at coordinates 25°40′25″N 80°09′34″W. This park includes the Cape Florida Light, the oldest standing structure in Greater Miami. In 2005, it was ranked as having the 8th best beach in the country, and in 2013 Forbes ranked it at ... The park was named in honor of Bill Baggs, editor of The Miami News from 1957 until his death in 1969. He worked to protect the land from development and to preserve some of the key in its natural state. In 2004 a large historical marker was erected at the site to mark it as part of the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Trail, as hundreds of Black Seminoles, many fugitive slaves, escaped from here to freedom in the Bahamas, settling mostly on Andros Island. In the early 1820s, some 300 American slaves reached the Bahamas, aboard 27 sloops and many canoes. The US National Park Service is working with the Bahamas, particularly the African Bahamanian Museum and Research Center (ABAC) in Nassau, to develop interpretive programs at Red Bays, Andros. Recreational activities The park has more than a mile of sandy Atlantic beachfront, where snorkeling and swimming is possible. Besides the beach and tours of the lighthouse and keeper's quarters, activities include boating, canoeing, kayaking and fishing from the seawall along Biscayne Bay, bicycling, hiking and wildlife viewing. The park has such amenities as picnicking areas and youth camping. It also has a visitor center, a museum with interpretive exhibits and concessions. No Name Harbor, a natural harbor in the park, is used for anchorage.

    Marilyn B.

    Nice park. The lighthouse was closed and the only vegetarian thing the in-the-park Lighthouse Café had was an avocado salad for $14.00. Everything else was seafood and chicken. So as a vegan I could not eat there, which I'm not sure I would have anyway if a salad is 14 bucks. But the park itself is cute. Some interesting history there, the beach was pleasant, not a ton of people, the water was clear and temperate. We walked along one trail and read the signs along the way about history and wildlife. The trail was not wooded, had no shade and it was a hot day, so we had to turn back about halfway through. There were iguanas in the trees and on the roof of the little house near the lighthouse. There were lots of turkey vultures sitting on top of telephone poles on the way into the park, and the streets in the area were very clean. All in all, a decent jaunt, but not something I'd say you have to see or do on a vacation in the area. Maybe it would be if the lighthouse were open and you could go to the top and see the view.

    Dinner at Boaters Grill
    Kim G.

    Gorgeous sunset champagne was cold and fresh ... definitely will be back !! We didn't eat but soon

    Got to climb it today!
    Jeane N.

    Such a beautiful park with cool things to do. You can rent surrey bikes, go to the beach, rent pavilions for special occasions or have a picnic on one of their tables (subject to availability) or even do a brief tour to check out the lighthouse. The lighthouse was awesome but I'm still sore a few days later lol. The tours are available at 10:00am or 1:00pm and when I went on a Saturday the 1:00pm had a lot of people attending. You may be waiting a while to go up the lighthouse depending on where you stand in the line due to them only allowing up to 10 visitors inside at a time. Thankfully they do that because it would be extremely hot waiting inside the stairwell for your turn to get to the top and also coming back down there aren't any rails to hold on to unless you're using the opposite side. Also, if you have little ones they have height minimum which is 42 inches unless they are in a sling. It is 4 dollars a person and kids under a certain age don't pay (forget the age range).

    Beach views
    Vivienne C.

    Was interested in going to another beach that is not Miami Beach in the Miami area so decided to come to Bill Baggs. There is an entrance fee of $2 a person just just so you are aware whether you are by car, foot, or bike. The walk to the beach from the entrance is around 15 minutes which is not too bad but I would recommend renting our bikes for this park and to see the rest of Key Biscanye. Would make your life a lot easier and wouldn't have to care about parking. Here are my favorite things about the park/beach: - There is literally no one here, especially if you go to the east side of the beach. It feels like you have a private beach to yourself which is nice as a getaway from the noisy and crowded Miami Beach. You can hear the ocean waves so clearly and the see the stretches of white sand. - The views are so gorgeous. I can't think of a better place to take a walk as you get the distant views of Miami with the white expanse of the I guess Atlantic Ocean. - The paddle-boarding rental is probably the cheapest I have ever seen at $15 an hour. Unfortunately I wasn't able to try it as the waves were pretty big and there were no lifeguard on duty, but I would definitely come try it out the next time that I am here. Would recommend stopping by for an alternative view of Miami Beaches if in the area. Do be prepared to pay an entrance fee, although not very significant but still exists.

    Rezwana N.

    I lovee this spot, very beautiful, quit & peaceful! When you call for cab make sure give them the right spot, or else you will be so lost out there! Miami is fortunate to have one of Florida's most beautiful state parks on a bridge. Saved from development by Bill Bugs in the 1960s, this fully preserved wilderness is a great place for a family beach day trip. One of the main attractions is the 1.25-mile soft sandy beach with stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. The park is long and relatively small, and where you park depends on what you want to do. If you only want to access the beach, park near access number 6. If you want to visit the beach or the historic lighthouse, park at Access # 7. Park in the washroom parking lot on the other side of the street and go to the fishing dock or stand by the breakwater. Park is also a hotspot for migratory birds. For a chance to see the birds, hike the Robins Bird Watching Trail.

    Yelpers picnic beach day!
    Jaquie M.

    Have been to this park many times and most recently for a beach picnic and birthday. Last year we had our annual Friendsgiving here as well. Shelter A2 is pretty close to the beach across the bathrooms and a 5 min walk to the the Boater's Grill. Plenty of parking spots as well. Bathrooms clean with plenty of soap and toilet paper. The grills and the picnic tables need some TLC but overall a great place for your event.

    Reyes N.

    Where to start.. I love this park You can ride bikes, enjoy nature and the beach. The are two restaurants.. one is only known by locals, it's well hidden and my favorite place to sit down, have a cocktail, listen to the band playing live music, and watch the sunset.

    Sarah P.

    Such a tranquil spot. You can see Stiltsville in the distance. Great spot to catch a sunset and watch people fishing.

    Sergio F.

    So our work Whatsapp chat last week turned from a "what's everyone doing this weekend" to an impromptu beach day at "El Farito" to celebrate the weekend. Yes, the Miami nickname for it is due to the lighthouse (which I didn't tour) at the south end of the park. I'd definitely come back to tour the namesake lighthouse. Parking is $4 for solo riders, and $8 for a car load, for the whole time you're in the park. This is a grand bargain compared to other local beaches! When our group was there, the water was pretty clean and since geographically it's a little more exposed than Miami Beach, a decent amount of waves. The sand was clean and compacted enough to play kickball on. They also have camping facilities, walking trails and pedicab rentals (I'd love to try next time). I also want to check out their bar and grill. That's the only reason I'm keeping it at three stars, since I didn't have the opportunity to fully experience everything.

    Jeff H.

    An excellent place to relax! They've got plenty of amenities and parking here too with a historic 1855 lighthouse!

    El Farito

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    I didn't have time to explore this massive park due to the inclement weather but it looks like there is lots to do here.

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    2 years ago

    Very clean. A little crowded, but we went on a Sunday so that is expected. Overall great beach.

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    Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park

    Which shelter is closest to the beach and restrooms?

    Shelter A

    Are there indoor shelters?

    No but the shelters there have a roof, picnic tables and electricity. Nothing indoor that we know of

    Are there any fishing spots at the park?

    Yes there is. Towards the end of the park there is like a couple mini piers. Spots get packed quick if your not early

    Is it possible to rent an area for a large baby shower?

    Yes

    Se puede ir con perritos?

    They are not allowed on the beach but people take them if they're small and usually if they're not making any noise

    View All 8 Questions

    Review Highlights - Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park

    . The lighthouse was closed for renovations so we couldn't climb up, but you can get close for pictures

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    Crandon Park - Crandon Park_Sanju-4

    Crandon Park

    4.0(180 reviews)
    2.5 mi

    Crandon Park is popular for its beautiful beach, rich coastal environment, unique fossilized…read moremangrove reef, protected wetlands, birding sites and extensive range of sports and outdoor activities. Crandon Park is home to various ecosystems, from dunes and mangroves to coastal hammock and seagrass beds and rare plants like the Biscayne prickly ash and beach peanut. Underwater, fossilized reefs and colorful sea life give divers and snorkelers plenty to explore. Crandon Park comprises the northern portion of Key Biscayne (almost 7 miles southeast of Miami). The key began as a coconut plantation, before being donated with the stipulation that Miami-Dade County uses the land as a public park. With its golf and tennis facilities, unique eco-adventures and breathtaking beach, Crandon Park offers something for everyone Parking: Weekdays $7 and Weekends $10

    I was here as a child when it was a zoo. I'm happy to see it remains a park with beach access…read more More importantly, the beach often hosts some endangered migratory birds, Piping Plovers. These birds are adorable, but they are threatened by habitat loss. There is a volunteer who regularly checks for Piping Plovers during migration, and she looks for bands that reveal the path of the bird's migratory flight. It's important that we have places for these birds to forage, and I hope the city continues to protect this beach for that use. The bathrooms were a welcome amenity. I had problems paying the parking fee, it was a complicated process. There were about 10 peafowl (peacocks) that roamed the park, a remaining vestige of when this was a zoo. There were many wild birds throughout the park.

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    Crandon Beach

    Crandon Beach

    3.6(14 reviews)
    2.5 mi

    If your idea of a perfect day includes warm water and room to spread out, Crandon Park Beach…read moredelivers. Stretching two miles along Biscayne Bay, the beach is known for its calm, shallow water--great for swimming, floating or letting kids play safely near shore. You would think that a beach is a beach, but South Florida beaches vary greatly. Some have buildings, some have big crowds, some are great for families, and some have a very natural setting with no buildings at all. One beach that has smaller crowds is Crandon Park's North Beach. Crandon Park Beach has two sections, North & South Beach. Crandon's two beaches are among the most popular beaches in South Florida and cover two miles along the Atlantic side of Key Biscayne The south and north ends of Key Biscayne each contain a large park. Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park makes up the southern portion of the island and contains the Cape Florida Lighthouse. The lighthouse, built in 1825, is Miami Dade County's oldest structure. The northern part of the island contains a golf course, marina, tennis center, Nature Center, the Bear Cut Preserve, and Crandon Park Beach. Crandon Park Beach is much more a local's beach and much less touristy. The waves are stronger at North Beach, and you'll see kiteboarders flocking to this beach, though you can't bring your own boards.

    Crandon Beach is beautiful, with soft white sand and not a whole lot of people. We couldn't…read morebelieve how lucky we were when we stumbled across this place :-) Tip: Pay attention to the signs here - we didn't see the one saying we needed to feed the parking meters, and ended up with a huge ticket :-( Over and above the parking ticket, it cost us almost fifty bucks to rent beach chairs... All told this beach is totally worth checking out, but even if you do things right, it's gonna cost you ;-)

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    Nixon Beach Sandbar - Panoramic photo of the beach.

    Nixon Beach Sandbar

    4.3(7 reviews)
    1.6 mi

    Nixon Beach (Sandbar) is a popular boating destination spot which is situated approximately a…read morequarter mile south west of Key Biscayne. It's a great place to anchor up for the afternoon and enjoy the weather, scenery and the people you happen to be with. At low tide the water is about waist deep and it's clear blue. It can be a little breezy at times which can cause the boat to rock a bit, but if your use to that then you won't have any problems. You can snorkel and paddle board here and the waters are usually very calm. On the weekends if the weather is nice, it will be packed with day trip boaters, so get here early to secure a nice spot. Now the historical footnote. The sandbar is named after Richard Nixon, the thirty seventh President of The United States. I do vaguely remember him as the President, so I'm aging myself here He vacationed frequently in Key Biscayne during the 1960s and had many political benefactors in the Miami area. Back then, Key Biscayne was more or less a sleepy area with one luxury hotel and a lot of small old Florida style single homes. In 1969, shortly after Nixon became President, he purchased three of these homes on Bay Lane, at well below market prices from Florida Senator George Smathers. The houses were in a compound that had a private beach. The Secret Service & US military had to construct a helipad to accommodate Marine One. The cost of the helipad and security upgrades to the residences was estimated at about 400k. Nixon made fifty trips there during the course of his Presidency (no, there wasn't an audio taping system in the place). Now here is the kicker, after resigning in 1974 he sold the properties, which included the helipad, at a huge profit (no, not a crook ) and was accused of benefiting from taxpayers expense. For you movie buffs Scarface was also filmed on Key Biscayne. The residences were torn down in '04 when a local real estate bought them and built a modern mansion. In addition to taking in the beautiful natural views, you can also admire the multi multi million dollar mansions that are now on Key Biscayne. Mr. Nixon probably should have held on to those properties a little bit longer.

    If you haven't pulled up in your boat here during the peak summer months blasting your music then…read morewho are you? This is a major spot for boaters searching for a nearby spot to enjoy shallow waters amongst one of the most populated and lively water spots in miami. You can't swim over here so obviously a boat is required but be prepared for a plentiful bunch of party people. With a loaded cooler and plenty of music, you'll fit in just too. It's not for the faint of heart and unless it's on a weekday, I wouldn't label it kid-friendly on most summer weekends. It's not a far drive so arriving here doesn't take much fuel if you're coming from a nearby marina. Don't forget your sunscreen because it's crucial for those days where there's not a cloud in sight.

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    Nixon Beach Sandbar
    Nixon Beach Sandbar - Beautiful day at Nixon

    Beautiful day at Nixon

    Nixon Beach Sandbar - Key Biscayne from Nixon Beach Sandbar

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    Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park - parks - Updated May 2026

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