National park · Florida

Biscayne National Park

A national park that is 95% underwater, protecting coral reefs and mangrove keys that conservationists fought to save from being paved over as the city of 'Islandia' and an oil port in the 1960s.

Entrance
See NPS.gov
Hours
See NPS.gov
Established
1968
Region
The Southeast
Biscayne National Park
Photo: NPS Photo · Public domain (US National Park Service)
The Biscayne National Park patch

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History

Established as a national monument in 1968 and a national park in 1980, Biscayne preserves 95% submerged ecosystem — coral reef, mangrove shoreline, and Florida Keys islands — that conservationists fought to keep from being developed as 'Islandia' and an oil port in the 1960s.

Key events

  1. October 18, 1968Biscayne National Monument established by Congress.
  2. June 28, 1980Redesignated as Biscayne National Park, protecting Biscayne Bay south of Miami.
  3. 196895% of the park is underwater, protecting some of the northernmost living coral reefs in the United States.

Trails

  • Convoy Point Jetty 0.3 miles (entirely accessible) · Easy
  • Boca Chita Key trail 0.5 miles loop (the lighthouse climb is a popular extra) · Easy
  • Elliott Key Spite Highway 6 miles round trip · Easy

Plan your visit

Check hours and fees on NPS.gov

When to go

  • Winter (Dec–April). Cooler temperatures, low humidity, calm seas; manatee season
  • Spring (May). Coral spawning, transitional weather between seasons

Wildlife

West Indian manateesBottlenose dolphinsLoggerhead, green, and hawksbill sea turtlesAmerican crocodiles (rare; the only U.S. national park where you can see them)Roseate spoonbillsSnowy egrets and great white heronsBrown pelicans

Nearby patches

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