Park Details
The shoreline of Biscayne Bay is lined with a deep green forest of mangroves. These trees, with their complex system of prop roots, help stabilize the shoreline and provide shelter for animals, birds and marine life. Their leaves become a vital part of the food chain when they fall into the waters.
The lush seagrass beds found throughout Biscayne Bay are another major part of the food chain. The Florida spiny lobster depends on this rich food chain and the bay has been designated a sanctuary where the lobsters are protected year-round. Shrimp, fish, sea turtles, and manatees also utilize these productive underwater pastures.
On the eastern edge of Biscayne Bay are the northernmost Florida Keys. These stunning emerald islands, fringed with mangroves, contain tropical hardwood forests in their interiors. The establishment of the park protected these islands from planned development, allowing them to remain a reminder of the area's past.
On the Atlantic side of the islands lie the most diverse and beautiful of the underwater communities: the coral reefs. The reefs support a kaleidoscope of life. Fish, plants, and other animals abound in all the colors of the rainbow.
Recreational opportunities abound in Biscayne National Park. Locally, it is known as a wonderful place to boat, sail, fish, snorkel, dive, and camp. The resources protected within the park are beautiful, diverse, and very productive; they are also fragile. Fish and animals can be injured and killed by trash in the water. Seagrasses can be torn up by boats that have run aground. Touching coral may open the way for disease. Carelessness can cause great damage to the resources of Biscayne National Park--forethought and care can preserve and protect these unique resources for the future. The park is 180,000 acres, of which 95 per cent is water.
Park Details
Location Information
Location::
Homestead, Florida
Address:
Biscayne National Park
P.O. Box 1369
Homestead, FL 33090-1369
Telephone:
(305) 230-7275
Directions:
If traveling by car from north to Convoy Point, take the turnpike, and then the
Homestead extension of the Florida turnpike south, to Exit 2 (Campbell Drive). Turn
right from exit ramp and continue east to the next intersection (Kingman Road). Turn
right and continue to S.W. 328th Street (North Canal Drive). Turn left and continue to
the end of the road. It is approximately six miles, and the entrance is on the left.
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 to Convoy Point: US-1, 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.
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.
Operating Hours/Seasons
Convoy Point, location of park headquarters, visitor center, concession operations and
picnic area, is open 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., daily.
The visitor center is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays, and 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
weekends. Closed Christmas Day.
Reservations/Permits/Fees
There is no entrance fee to the park. There is a $15.00 per night overnight docking fee at Boca Chita Key Harbor and Elliott Key Harbor ($7.50 per night for holders of Golden Age or Golden Access Passports).
Climate, Recommended Clothing
Subtropical climate. Generally hot and humid in the summer with brief afternoon thunder showers. Winters are mild and dry. Wear hats and sunglasses, and use sunscreen.
Facilities and Opportunities
Biscayne National Park is 95 per cent water. To see the park, one must get in a boat. Because of this, visitors who have their own boats have almost unlimited access to the park's resources. (Boaters should use NOAA Nautical Chart 11451 for safe boating operations in park waters). On the other hand, access for visitors that do not have their own boats is limited to the boat tours and the snorkel and dive trips offered by the park concessioner at Convoy Point (call Biscayne National Underwater Park, Inc. at 305-230-1100 for schedules, rates, and reservations).
Convoy Point is the only place in the park which is accessible by car. Picnic tables and grills, the park's visitor center, and the concession operation are located here.
The current temporary visitor center offers exhibits, video programs about the park, book sales, and information to visitors. Construction of a new permanent visitor center is in progress, with completion expected in mid 1997.
Three hour park tour boat trips, departing at 10:00 a.m., and four hour snorkel/SCUBA trips, departing at 1:30 p.m, are offered daily by the park's concessioner, Biscayne National Underwater Park, Inc. The park tour trips are normally glass bottom boat tours to the living coral reefs but, due to weather/water conditions or previous commitments, may be trips to undeveloped Elliott Key, the first of the Florida Keys or Boca Chita Key. Special dive trips are also offered. Reservations for all boat tours are highly recommended. Call (305) 230-1100 for pricing, reservations, and additional information. Canoe rentals for those wishing to explore the mangrove shoreline are also available.
Trails
At Convoy Point, a boardwalk takes visitors to the end of the jetty (one-quarter mile
round trip). At Boca Chita Key, there is a one-quarter mile loop nature trail. At Elliott
Key, there is a three-quarter mile loop nature trail that takes visitors across the island. A
second trail, seven miles long, provides access to north and south ends of the island.
Adams Key has a one-quarter mile loop nature trail. Adams Key is a day use area only.
Currently, Boca Chita Key, Elliott Key, and Adams Key are accessible by occasional concession operated trips or private boat only. The concessioner does not offer regularly scheduled service to the islands, but visitors wishing transportation should contact them at (305) 230-1100, for availability of their occasional service.
Lodging and camping facilities:
Lodging is available in Homestead and Florida City. Campgrounds are available on
Elliott Key and Boca Chita Key. Elliott Key offers picnic tables and grills, rest rooms,
showers, and fresh water. Boca Chita Key offers picnic tables, grills and rest
rooms--there is no fresh water. A group campsite is available on Elliott Key.
Reservations are not required or accepted, and there are no fees charged. Currently, the
park's concessioner does not offer scheduled taxi service to the islands and access to the
campgrounds is by private boat or the concessioner's occasional service (call (305)
230-1100 for availability) only.
Camping is only allowed in the two designated campgrounds-- backcountry camping is not allowed in the park. There is no trash pickup on the islands. Please return all trash to the mainland for proper disposal.
Food/supplies:
Food, gas and supplies are available at stores in Homestead and Florida City.
Accessibility
Facilities at Convoy Point are wheelchair accessible. The crew will provide needed
assistance for wheel chair access to glass bottom boat tours.
Pets:
Pets are only allowed in the developed areas of Convoy Point and Elliott Key and must
be on a kept on a leash six feet or less in length. Pets, except those used to assist
individuals with disabilities, are not allowed on any other islands (including Boca Chita
Key and Adams Key), in the shallow waters (less than three feet deep) surrounding the
islands, or on boats docked at the islands.
Recommended Activities/Park Use
Visitors who do not have access to their own boats should make reservations for a park tour boat trip of the park (glass bottom boat tour to the living coral reefs or a trip to undeveloped Elliott Key) or reservations for a snorkel or SCUBA (if certified) trip to the living coral reefs prior to their arrival in the park. Reservations may be made by calling Biscayne National Underwater Park, Inc., at (305) 230-1100.
Visitation
Highest from January to April, and July to September.
Adjacent Visitor Attractions
There are a wide range of activities available in the south Florida area. For additional information contact Tropical Everglades Visitor Association, 160 US Highway 1, Florida City, FL 33034, 1-800-388-9669. You may also contact The Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, 701 Brickell Avenue, Miami, FL 33131, (305) 539-3000.
Additional Information
Contact Park Headquarters, Biscayne National Park, P.O. Box 1369, Homestead, FL 33090-1369, or call (305) 230-PARK (7275).
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