Bill Baggs Cape

Bill Baggs Cape SP https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/bill-baggs-cape-florida-state-park https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Baggs_Cape_Florida_State_Park Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Recreation Area occupies approximately the southern third of the island of Key Biscayne, at coordinates 25°40′25″N 80°09′34″W. This park includes the Cape Florida Light, the oldest standing structure in Greater Miami. The park was named in honor of Bill Baggs, editor of The Miami News from 1957 until his death in 1969. He worked to protect the land from development and to preserve some of the key in its natural state. In 2004 a large historical marker was erected at the site to mark it as part of the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Trail, as hundreds of Black Seminoles, many fugitive slaves, escaped from here to freedom in the Bahamas, settling mostly on Andros Island. In the early 1820s, some 300 American slaves reached the Bahamas, aboard 27 sloops and many canoes.

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 

Camping and Cabins Guide Florida State Parks FloridaStateParks.org • #FLStateParks Welcome When the setting sun paints the evening sky, where will you make your bed? Florida’s state parks offer you a variety of overnight accommodations. At a Florida state park, the day’s work is play, a walk on the beach, a hike through the woods, a swim, a bike ride. All you need is a fishing rod, a kayak, a book and a friend. What do you want to see when the sun rises on the new day? Choose a wooded campsite within walking distance of white sandy beaches or camp along the banks of a quietly moving river. Bring your boat or canoe, or fishing tackle and a rod, for a relaxing time with family and friends. Explore nature on the hiking trails, while at the same time leaving stress of the busy world behind. Attend a festival, a reenactment or simply do nothing. We are committed to providing a variety of accessible amenities for all visitors at Florida state parks, including campgrounds and cabins. 2 FloridaStateParks.org • #FLStateParks Family Camping Florida’s state parks offer more than 50 campgrounds statewide for tents, campers and RVs. Most campsites include water, electricity, a grill and picnic table. Centralized showers, restrooms and a dump station are also available. • One responsible person, 18 or older, must be present on each campsite or cabin. • Camping fees vary from park to park and include a maximum of eight people per site, not including children under 6 years old. • Check-in time is 3 p.m. Check-out time is 1 p.m. You are welcome to stay in the park through the end of the day. • Quiet time is from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. • Campsites are limited to two vehicles. Selected campsites may only allow one vehicle. FloridaStateParks.org • #FLStateParks 3 Cabins From modern to rustic, state park cabins provide overnight accommodations in a variety of settings—near beaches, rivers and lakes or peaceful wooded communities. Cabin styles vary from fully equipped modern cabins to hand-hewn, lumber or palm-log retreats. Cabin amenities may include a kitchen, fireplace and screened porch, complete with rocking chairs and porch swings. • Cabins may be reserved for one night during the week, Monday–Thursday, or a minimum of two nights on weekends and holidays, Friday and Saturday, departing Sunday, or Saturday and Sunday, departing Monday. Some exceptions apply. • Cabins can accommodate either four or six visitors. • Check-in time is 4 p.m. Check-out time is 11 a.m. • Quiet time is from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. 4 FloridaStateParks.org • #FLStateParks • Pets are not permitted in cabins or cabin areas. • Staff may assess cabin renters a damage fee if necessary to clean-up or repair any damage beyond ordinary cleaning, wear and tear. Fees may also be charged for lost/stolen items. Group, Primitive, Equestrian and Boat Many parks offer areas for youth and group camping. Backpackers may wish to hike to secluded areas for primitive camping. More than 15 state parks offer campsites and other amenities for equestrians and their horses. Owners of horses visiting state parks must provide proof of a negative Coggins test. Call the park to discuss availability, facilities, rules and fees. Five state parks provide boat slips with water and electricity. Boaters have access to the state park’s restrooms, showers, pump-outs and other amenities. Boaters can also anchor overnight at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park and at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. FloridaStateParks.org • #FLStateParks 5 Camping with Pets and Service Animals Pets are welcome at most Florida State Parks. Some campgrounds have designated sites for pets. All pets must be confined, leashed or otherwise under the physical control of a person at all times. Leashes may not exceed six feet in length. Pets must be well behaved. Owners must pick up after their pets and properly dispose of all pet droppings in trash receptacles. Pets are not permitted on beaches or playgrounds, or in bathing areas, cabins, park buildings or concession facilities. Individual parks may have specific areas prohibiting pets. Service animals in a working capacity are allowed in all public areas of state parks when accompanied by a visitor with a disability. Service animals should be harnessed, leashed or tethered unless such a device interferes with the service animal’s work or the visitor’s disability prevents the use of these devices. 6 FloridaStateParks.org • #FLStateParks Reservations Campsite and cabin reservations may be made from one day to 11 months in advance by calling (800) 326-3521, (866) I CAMP FL or TDD (888) 433-0287 or by visiting FloridaStateParks.ReserveAmerica.com. Call the park directly to reserve group or primitive campsites. Prices per night: Campsites $16 to $42 Cabins $30 to $160 Visitors pay a reservation fee of $6.70 *Prices subject to change. A 50 percent discount on base campsite fees is available to Florida citizens who are 65 years old or older, or Florida c