Biscayne National Park
Biscayne National Park
Biscayne National Park protects the spectacular underwater life of Biscayne Bay and the coral reefs, as well as the tropical hardwood hammocks of its keys. It is an unparalleled wildlife sanctuary, protecting an incredible diversity of mammals, birds, fish and flora. Visible from downtown Miami, Biscayne boasts a rare combination of aquamarine waters, emerald islands, and fish-bejeweled coral reefs. Visit Biscayne and see why humans, ranging from pirates to pineapple farmers to presidents, have been inhabiting this area for 10,000 years.
At A Glance
In The Park
Superintendent: Al VearPhone Number: 305-230-7275
Entrance Fees: Free
Sights: Biscayne Bay; Florida Keys; Stiltsville
Endangered Species: West Indian Manatee; Eastern Indigo Snake; Piping Plover; American Crocodile; Peregrine Falcon; Schaus' Swallowtail Butterfly; Least Tern; Loggerhead Sea Turtle; Leatherback Sea Turtle; Kemps Ridley Turtle; Green Turtle; Hawksbill Turtle
Important Dates
Established as Park: June 28, 1980By The Numbers
Acres: 172,924.00Highest Point: Totten Key; Old Rhodes Key (9 feet)
Annual Visitation: 608,836 (2006)
Location
Latitude / Longitude :25.643610 / -80.146680 (map it)
State: FL
Nearby Big City: Homestead, FL
Gateway Communities: Homestead, FL; Miami, FL; Key Largo, FL; Biscayne, FL
Nearby Airports: Miami International Airport (MIA)
Green Features
Has Recycling? : YesHas Shuttle System? : No
Has Volunteer Program? : Yes
Park Photos
Heron Sailboat
Michael J Thompson
Palm Trees
Michael J Thompson
Biscayne, 0666
National Park Service
View More Biscayne Photos
In Detail
Activities & Programs Fishing is exceptional at Biscayne all year. In the bay, snapper, grouper and sea trout are plentiful. On the ocean side of the keys, you'll find hogfish and tuna. A fishing license is required and Fl ... read more.
At Your Fingertips Park Headquarters/Information (305) 230-PARK (7275) www.nps.gov/bisc Emergencies (305) 247-7272 Lost and Found (305) 230-PARK (7275) Camping Information (305) 230-PARK (7275) Boat and Diving T ... read more.
Camping Biscayne National Park offers a wonderful respite from the rapid pace of urban life. One of the best ways to enjoy the parks beauty is to spend a few days camping on Elliott Key or Boca Chita Key, bo ... read more.
Flora & Fauna There are four "worlds" at Biscayne National Park: the mangrove shoreline, the waters of the bay, the keys and the coral reefs. Since 95% of Biscayne National Park is water, the majority of animals ... read more.
Maritime Heritage Trail The Mandalay was built in 1928 to sail around the world on the eve of the Great Depression. By the time she ran aground in 1965 in the shallow waters of Biscayne National Park, the two-masted schoone ... read more.
Oh, Ranger! Growing up, my grandparents had a bayfront house in the Florida Keys. I devoted pretty much all of my time to exploring the area. With my grandmother's Tupperware in hand and a pair of raggedy sneake ... read more.
Visitor Services General Information Convoy Point is where most people begin their visit to Biscayne National Park. The park is open daily, 24 hours, but without a boat there is little access outside the hours of 7 a ... read more.
Recent News
- Divers hospitalized after blacking out in waters April 19, 2008, 8:48 pm
Biscayne In Depth
News from the Parks
Snow greets visiting hikers at Mount Rainier
July 25, 2008 - 10:15am
PARADISE, Wash. -- Cool ocean temperatures in the southern Pacific Ocean -- a phenomenon known as La Nina -- chilled sunny expectations this summer for thousands of visitors to Mount Rainier National Park. Those who arrived here in July planning to backpack or hike its famous sub-alpine wildflower meadows found snow instead, six feet in places, though sunny daytime temperatures reach into the 70s. The popular mountain that draws 1.5 million visitors each year received 950 inches of snow last winter, 300 inches more than its 650-inch average. Park officials said a cooler than usual spring also pushed back the thaw.
July 25, 2008 - 10:15am
PARADISE, Wash. -- Cool ocean temperatures in the southern Pacific Ocean -- a phenomenon known as La Nina -- chilled sunny expectations this summer for thousands of visitors to Mount Rainier National Park. Those who arrived here in July planning to backpack or hike its famous sub-alpine wildflower meadows found snow instead, six feet in places, though sunny daytime temperatures reach into the 70s. The popular mountain that draws 1.5 million visitors each year received 950 inches of snow last winter, 300 inches more than its 650-inch average. Park officials said a cooler than usual spring also pushed back the thaw.
CAUSE OF FIRE NEAR STAIRCASE RELEASED
July 25, 2008 - 10:14am
The U.S. Forest Service says the brush fire Monday night off the road to the Staircase area of Olympic National Park was human caused. According to a news release, the fire, dubbed the East Cushman Fire, was contained before it reached one-tenth of an acre in size. An abandoned campfire ring at its origin indicated that the ignition was human caused.
July 25, 2008 - 10:14am
The U.S. Forest Service says the brush fire Monday night off the road to the Staircase area of Olympic National Park was human caused. According to a news release, the fire, dubbed the East Cushman Fire, was contained before it reached one-tenth of an acre in size. An abandoned campfire ring at its origin indicated that the ignition was human caused.
Hikers should expect plenty of snow on higher routes
July 25, 2008 - 10:13am
Hikers should expect lots of snow on mountain trails still, with rangers saying that higher-elevation routes in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and North Cascades National Park are two weeks to one month behind in terms of melting out. Higher than normal snowpack coupled with lower than normal temperatures well into spring means that, in general, those going over routes at the 5,000- to 6,000-foot level need to be comfortable traveling on snow and have poles or ice axes and route-finding skills.
July 25, 2008 - 10:13am
Hikers should expect lots of snow on mountain trails still, with rangers saying that higher-elevation routes in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and North Cascades National Park are two weeks to one month behind in terms of melting out. Higher than normal snowpack coupled with lower than normal temperatures well into spring means that, in general, those going over routes at the 5,000- to 6,000-foot level need to be comfortable traveling on snow and have poles or ice axes and route-finding skills.
Cabin lottery takes a hike
July 25, 2008 - 10:11am
HALEAKALA NATIONAL PARK - Officials at Haleakala National Park announced Thursday the end of the lottery system used for years to select cabin users in the crater. Starting with September, all reservations for the wilderness cabins will be taken over the phone up to three months ahead of the reservation, on a first-come, first-reserved basis. Calls for reservations will only be accepted between 1 and 3 p.m. HST daily at 572-4400. As of midday Thursday, there were no openings in August for any of the three cabins in Haleakala Crater
July 25, 2008 - 10:11am
HALEAKALA NATIONAL PARK - Officials at Haleakala National Park announced Thursday the end of the lottery system used for years to select cabin users in the crater. Starting with September, all reservations for the wilderness cabins will be taken over the phone up to three months ahead of the reservation, on a first-come, first-reserved basis. Calls for reservations will only be accepted between 1 and 3 p.m. HST daily at 572-4400. As of midday Thursday, there were no openings in August for any of the three cabins in Haleakala Crater
Second bear killed in Yellowstone in recent weeks
July 25, 2008 - 10:10am
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (AP) - Rangers in Yellowstone National Park have killed a black bear that became accustomed to eating human food. Park officials say the 130-pound male bear was getting food from hikers' backpacks in northern Yellowstone. Repeated attempts to trap the bear failed. On Wednesday, the bear was caught ripping into the packs of a large group of backcountry hikers. Rangers cleared the area of visitors and shot the bear.
July 25, 2008 - 10:10am
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (AP) - Rangers in Yellowstone National Park have killed a black bear that became accustomed to eating human food. Park officials say the 130-pound male bear was getting food from hikers' backpacks in northern Yellowstone. Repeated attempts to trap the bear failed. On Wednesday, the bear was caught ripping into the packs of a large group of backcountry hikers. Rangers cleared the area of visitors and shot the bear.
