![]() | Bill Baggs CapeBrochure |
Brochure of Bill Baggs Cape State Park in Florida. Published by Florida State Parks.
featured in
![]() | Florida Pocket Maps | ![]() |
covered parks
source
Bill Baggs Cape Florida
State Park
HISTORY
1200 South Crandon Blvd.
Key Biscayne, FL 33149
305-361-5811
Ponce de Leon named this area “Cape
of Florida” when he led the first Spanish
expedition to Florida in 1513.
The Cape Florida lighthouse, the park’s bestknown feature, was completed in 1825 but
was damaged during the Second Seminole
War. The repaired tower, completed in 1846,
remains the oldest standing structure in
Miami-Dade County. Tours of the 95-foot
lighthouse and the keeper’s house museum
are available.
The island served as a secret meeting place
and port for runaway slaves and Black
Seminoles waiting to rendezvous with sea
captains or board dugouts for a passage to
safety in the British Bahamas. Although the
lighthouse was built to save lives and ships, its
unflinching light brought an end to this avenue
of escape. In September 2004, Cape Florida
was designated a National Underground
Railroad Network to Freedom Site.
In 1992, Hurricane Andrew uprooted a forest
of non-native Australian-pine trees that
dominated the landscape and left the park
nearly treeless. The storm provided land
managers the opportunity to restore the
park’s native plant communities. Today, a
variety of natural habitats, from mangrove
forest to maritime hammock, can be seen at
Cape Florida.
Depending upon the season, more than 50
butterfly species and 170 bird species may be
seen at the park. The peregrine falcon, piping
plover and American crocodile regularly take
refuge here. Loggerhead sea turtles nest along
the beach each summer. Green sea turtles and
Florida manatees often graze in the seagrass
beds offshore.
PARK GUIDELINES
Please remember these tips and guidelines, and
enjoy your visit:
•
Hours are 8 a.m. until sunset, 365 days a year.
•
An entrance fee is required.
•
All plants, animals and park property are
protected. Collection, destruction or disturbance
is prohibited.
•
Pets are not allowed on the beach. Where
allowed, pets must be kept on a hand-held
leash no longer than six feet and well-behaved
at all times.
•
Fishing, boating, swimming and fires are allowed
in designate areas only. A Florida fishing license
may be required.
•
Become a volunteer, visit FloridaStateParks.org
to learn more.
•
Florida’s state parks are committed to providing
all visitors equal access to facilities and programs.
Should you need assistance to enable your
participation, please contact the administrative
office at any ranger station or call 850-245-3076
(Voice) or 711 (Florida Relay Service).
FloridaStateParks.org
Visit us online at
Follow us on social media
FloridaStateParks.org
#FLStateParks
BILL BAGGS
CAPE FLORIDA
STATE PARK
Minutes from Miami with stunning
views atop a historic lighthouse
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
EXPERIENCES AND AMENITIES
nal
Pines Ca
Just 15 minutes from downtown Miami and
voted “One of the Top Ten Beaches in the U.S.,”
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park offers visitors
recreational opportunities in a tropical paradise.
With more than 1.2 miles of Atlantic shoreline
and 1.4 miles fronting Biscayne Bay, it is one of
the most popular state parks in Florida.
Boardwalk
No Name
Harbor
Directions
The park is located
on the southern end
of Key Biscayne, south
of downtown Miami.
ea
g Ar
Sea
Biscayne
Bay
Park Office
wa
Picnicking & Rentals
Four picnic areas offer tables, barbecue grills and
18 covered shelters. There are excellent open-air
restaurants, The Lighthouse Café near the beach
and Boater’s Grill at No Name Harbor. The park’s
concession offers a variety of rentals, including
bicycles, kayaks, beach chairs and umbrellas.
Sw
im
Ar min
ea g
ll
Camping
No typical camping is available, but overnight
boat anchoring is allowed in the harbor.
min
Biking & Hiking
In the middle of the park, a paved pedestrian/
bike path allows cyclists and skaters to enjoy
the native plant communities restored to their
former glory. Nature trails entice people to
observe the diversity of plants and wildlife at a
slower pace.
Entrance Station
Mangrove Wetlands
Swim
Swimming & Fishing
Cape Florida’s Atlantic shoreline attracts
swimmers and sunbathers from around the
world. The historic Cape Florida lighthouse
overlooks the park and is open for tours. The
scenic Biscayne Bay side of the park draws
visitors to the sea wall, where fishing is a
popular pastime.
Atlantic
Ocean
Boardwalk
Bicycling
Picnicking
Concession
Playground
Fishing
Restrooms
Hiking
Sunbathing
Parking
Wildlife Viewing
Lighthouse Historic Site
P00211_Rev_02.19