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: Mark LewisPhone 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
Gettysburg Address to Return for Visitor Center Grand Opening
August 21, 2008 - 5:04pm
There are only five known manuscripts of the famous Gettysburg Address, penned by President Abraham Lincoln — one of those original documents is scheduled to appear in Gettysburg, during the grand opening celebration of the new Gettysburg National Military Park Visitor Center.
August 21, 2008 - 5:04pm
There are only five known manuscripts of the famous Gettysburg Address, penned by President Abraham Lincoln — one of those original documents is scheduled to appear in Gettysburg, during the grand opening celebration of the new Gettysburg National Military Park Visitor Center.
Anglers Wary of North Cascades Plan to Limit Fishing
August 21, 2008 - 10:51am
Not much comes easy in the precipitous ice-and-rock geography of North Cascades National Park -- not the hiking, not the high-lakes fishing, and across the park's 40 years of existence, not even fish management. This is what I'm thinking during the sweaty hike out of the stunning cirque that embraces Monogram Lake, where I've spent a couple hours catching and releasing dozens of pretty cutthroat trout with two mountain anglers who fear that soon there will be no fish in the park's high lakes. Whether trout should be in these lakes at all has been an issue since the park was created in 1968, and it is coming to a head with the release in July of the park's voluminous "Mountain Lakes Fishery Management Plan."
August 21, 2008 - 10:51am
Not much comes easy in the precipitous ice-and-rock geography of North Cascades National Park -- not the hiking, not the high-lakes fishing, and across the park's 40 years of existence, not even fish management. This is what I'm thinking during the sweaty hike out of the stunning cirque that embraces Monogram Lake, where I've spent a couple hours catching and releasing dozens of pretty cutthroat trout with two mountain anglers who fear that soon there will be no fish in the park's high lakes. Whether trout should be in these lakes at all has been an issue since the park was created in 1968, and it is coming to a head with the release in July of the park's voluminous "Mountain Lakes Fishery Management Plan."
Bison Advocates Go for Space
August 21, 2008 - 10:48am
As rancher Rick Knobe slowly guides his pickup around the iconic American bison on the prairie here, he reflects on a time when they roamed freely. "I figure the buffalo were there first, the elk were there first, the wolves were there first," he says, looking over his herd of 28 American bison, on his Lazy RRse Buffalo Ranch. "I figure these animals should be given more the right of way to roam."
August 21, 2008 - 10:48am
As rancher Rick Knobe slowly guides his pickup around the iconic American bison on the prairie here, he reflects on a time when they roamed freely. "I figure the buffalo were there first, the elk were there first, the wolves were there first," he says, looking over his herd of 28 American bison, on his Lazy RRse Buffalo Ranch. "I figure these animals should be given more the right of way to roam."
Rapid Climate Change Threatens to Thaw Icy Wonderland of Alaska
August 21, 2008 - 10:43am
I was in Alaska for 10 days in August, on a fellowship with Michigan State University's Knight Center for Environmental Journalism and the Union of Concerned Scientists, to see firsthand the effects of global warming. I didn't have to look far. I watched massive chunks of glacial ice breaking off into the sea.
August 21, 2008 - 10:43am
I was in Alaska for 10 days in August, on a fellowship with Michigan State University's Knight Center for Environmental Journalism and the Union of Concerned Scientists, to see firsthand the effects of global warming. I didn't have to look far. I watched massive chunks of glacial ice breaking off into the sea.
Park Seeks Construction Comment
August 21, 2008 - 10:38am
The National Park Service proposes to construct new housing, operations and recreation facilities in Big Bend National Park. The public, organizations and other agencies may review and comment upon a draft environmental assessment (EA) describing the proposal. The new construction would occur at Panther Junction, Rio Grande Village and Castolon. The proposal is to construct 27 structures, of which 15 would serve new purposes and 12 would replace temporary or inadequate facilities.
August 21, 2008 - 10:38am
The National Park Service proposes to construct new housing, operations and recreation facilities in Big Bend National Park. The public, organizations and other agencies may review and comment upon a draft environmental assessment (EA) describing the proposal. The new construction would occur at Panther Junction, Rio Grande Village and Castolon. The proposal is to construct 27 structures, of which 15 would serve new purposes and 12 would replace temporary or inadequate facilities.
