biscayne national park virtual tour

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Virtual Tours of the 63 Iconic U.S. National Parks [2024]

Chris Hassan

Social Media & Brand Manager

202 Published Articles

Countries Visited: 21 U.S. States Visited: 24

Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

29 Published Articles 3054 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 45 U.S. States Visited: 28

1. Acadia National Park (Maine)

2. arches national park (utah), 3. badlands national park (south dakota), 4. big bend national park (texas), 5. biscayne national park (florida), 6. black canyon of the gunnison national park (colorado), 7. bryce canyon national park (utah), 8. canyonlands national park (utah), 9. capitol reef national park (utah), 10. carlsbad caverns national park (new mexico), 11. channel islands national park (california), 12. congaree national park (south carolina), 13. crater lake national park (oregon), 14. cuyahoga valley national park (ohio), 15. death valley national park (california, nevada), 16. denali national park (alaska), 17. dry tortugas national park (florida), 18. everglades national park (florida), 19. gates of the arctic national park (alaska), 20. gateway arch national park (missouri), 21. glacier bay national park and preserve (alaska), 22. glacier national park (montana), 23. grand canyon national park (arizona), 24. grand teton national park (wyoming), 25. great basin national park (nevada), 26. great sand dunes national park and preserve (colorado), 27. great smoky mountains national park (north carolina, tennessee), 28. guadalupe mountains national park (texas), 29. haleakalā national park (hawaii), 30. hawai’i volcanoes national park (hawaii), 31. hot springs national park (arkansas), 32. indiana dunes national park (indiana), 33. isle royale national park (michigan), 34. joshua tree national park (california), 35. katmai national park (alaska), 36. kenai fjords national park (alaska), 37. kobuk valley national park (alaska), 38. lake clark national park and preserve (alaska), 39. lassen volcanic national park (california), 40. mammoth cave national park (kentucky), 41. mesa verde national park (colorado), 42. mount rainier national park (washington), 43. national park of american samoa (american samoa), 44. new river gorge national park & preserve (west virginia), 45. north cascades national park (washington), 46. olympic national park (washington), 47. petrified forest national park (arizona), 48. pinnacles national park (california), 49. redwood national park (california), 50. rocky mountain national park (colorado), 51. saguaro national park (arizona), 52. sequoia and kings canyon national parks (california), 53. shenandoah national park (virginia), 54. theodore roosevelt national park (north dakota), 55. virgin islands national park (u.s. virgin islands), 56. voyageurs national park (minnesota), 57. white sands national park (new mexico), 58. wind cave national park (south dakota), 59. wrangell-st. elias national park (alaska), 60. yellowstone national park (wyoming, montana, idaho), 61. yosemite national park (california), 62. zion national park (utah), final thoughts.

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Travel is back in full swing, but if you’re just hitting the road again, you may be overwhelmed by the sheer amount of options out there.

There are 63 national parks in the United States– but just because you don’t have time to hike every destination right now doesn’t mean that you can’t still explore some natural beauty. There are some excellent (and free) virtual tours of our incredible national parks just a click away!

We have compiled an exhaustive list of the most famous and beautiful national parks that offer free virtual tours. So get comfy, pretend to lace up your hiking boots (or really put them on), and start exploring some of the most incredible natural resources on the planet!

U.S. National Parks With Virtual Tours

The U.S. has 63 officially protected areas designated as national parks. Since they are spread across the country, it would be challenging to visit them all in person (especially since some of them don’t even have access roads).

So why not take advantage of some downtime and start exploring them from home? Check out these incredible virtual tours without leaving your couch!

Acadia National Park , also known as the Crown Jewel of the North Atlantic Coast, is a 47,000-acre recreation area in Maine. Attracting more than 3.5 million visitors a year, it’s one of the top 10 most-visited national parks in the U.S. With more than 90% of the park located on coastal islands, exploring Acadia’s resources by water is a must-do.

Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of this New England resource and go on a virtual cruise .

Arches National Park is a 73,000+ acre marvel of eroded sandstone located northwest of Moab, Utah with more than 2,000 natural stone arches.

With 244,000 acres of canyons, rock formations, bison, sheep, and prairie dogs, Badlands National Park is also home to one of the world’s richest fossil beds . The park was once home to many ancient mammals, including the saber-toothed cat.

Walk through this breathtaking park from home, featuring overlooks, fossil replicas, and wild prairie dogs, thanks to this Google Earth virtual tour .

Big Bend National Park is a sprawling wildlife sanctuary in southwestern Texas along the border of Mexico.

Home to more than 1,200 species of plants, 450 species of birds, 56 species of reptiles, and 75 species of mammals, this 800,000+ acre national park is as big as it is gorgeous.

Reach the park’s tallest peak, trek through the wilderness, and journey along a canyon river on a private virtual tour, thanks to Google Earth.

Just a blink away from downtown Miami, Biscayne National Park is home to the world’s third-longest coral reef tract and countless activities for outdoor enthusiasts.

There is something to keep every visitor busy, from exploring shipwrecks to boating, snorkeling, fishing, and more.

Experience a variety of water sports and witness spectacular coral reefs via this video tour .

Packed with steep cliffs and craggy spires, the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is a sight to see in Colorado.

Over 2 million years, the Gunnison River has sculpted its way through the rough terrain, leaving behind a breathtaking combination of water, rock, and sky.

You don’t have to wait that long to enjoy the beauty of various trails and overlooks — go on a Google Earth virtual tour !

Located in southwestern Utah, Bryce Canyon National Park is famous for its iconic red rocks, natural amphitheaters, and the largest concentration of hoodoos (irregular columns of rock) on Earth.

With an elevation of up to 9,000 feet, there is plenty to do, including multiple winter sports such as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

Take an in-depth virtual tour with videos and 360-degree photos thanks to Google Arts & Culture.

Canyonlands National Park is a dramatic desert in southeastern Utah with a landscape carved by the winds and the Colorado River.

Nature has created a stunning wilderness of countless canyons and fantastically formed buttes just waiting to be explored.

Drop in and explore red rock canyons, the Colorado River, and Mesa Arch via an enhanced Google Earth Street View .

Capitol Reef National Park is home to the Waterpocket Fold, a geologic monocline (a wrinkle on the earth) extending almost 100 miles. If that doesn’t interest you, maybe the golden sandstone, canyons, and striking rock formations will.

Drop in via the Google Earth link here .

Hot Tip: Like what you see? You can go glamping at Capitol Reef Resort !

Located in the Guadalupe Mountains of southeastern New Mexico, Carlsbad Caverns National Park is a lush desert landscape above ground. Still, the  real show lies beneath the surface of the Chihuahuan Desert.

Thanks to Google Arts & Culture, you can explore these caves (even from a bat’s perspective) via video and 360-degree photos .

Channel Islands National Park is made up of 5 of the 8 Channel Islands off the coast of California. The islands represent a wide variety of significant natural and cultural resources thanks to thousands of years of isolation. This relatively untouched area has created unique animals, plants, and archaeological resources found nowhere else on Earth .

Don’t worry if you can’t get to California any time soon. You can take a virtual tour of each island via Google Street View.

Congaree National Park is a wilderness paradise located in South Carolina. Massive trees in this park have created one of the highest temperate deciduous forest canopies remaining in the world. It is now designated as a UNESCO biosphere reserve .

The Congaree River flows through the park, which has created ideal hiking, canoeing, kayaking, and birdwatching opportunities.

To really get a feel of this park from home, you can watch a canoe ride through this incredible wilderness.

Crater Lake is located in south-central Oregon and is quite simply awe-inspiring . Formed from a volcanic eruption 7,500 years ago, this lake is not fed by rivers or streams but only by rain and melted snow.

The lake is the deepest in the U.S. and one of the cleanest and clearest in the world. It is no surprise that the area is extremely popular amongst outdoor enthusiasts year-round.

Take a 360-degree virtual video tour of this gem with country music singer/songwriter Dierks Bentley.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a relatively small 32,000-acre park just a short distance from the urban areas of Cleveland and Akron, Ohio.

The park offers a refuge for city dwellers with outdoor options for everyone, including hiking, golfing, historic train rides, kayaking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.

Explore this unique national park via a Google Earth virtual tour highlighting a 19th-century bridge, marsh boardwalk, and impressive waterfalls.

Perhaps the most famous national park, at least by name, Death Valley National Park is the hottest, driest, and lowest national park . Despite its morbid name, this national park shows a great diversity of life when rainstorms bring vast fields of wildflowers and lush oases harbor tiny fish and other wildlife.

Death Valley straddles the California-Nevada border and is the largest U.S. national park outside of Alaska at 3.4 million acres.

Start exploring this massive park thanks to this Google Earth virtual tour . Highlights include the Rhyolite Ghost Town, Devil’s Golf Course, and spectacular dunes and canyons.

Located in the center of Alaska on Mt. Denali, the highest mountain in North America , Denali National Park is a mix of forests at low elevations and snow and glaciers at higher elevations.

There is only 1 road that cuts through the 6 million-acre preserve where large wild animals roam free, and adventurists explore the many outdoor activities.

Can’t make it to Alaska any time soon? Try exploring the tundra, glaciers, and Denali vistas via a Google Earth virtual tour .

Dry Tortugas National Park is located in the Gulf of Mexico, about 68 miles off the coast of Key West. The park is comprised of Fort Jefferson, a historic 19th-century fort, and the 7 Dry Tortugas islands.

This national park is reachable only by seaplane or boat and has become a sanctuary for coral reefs and marine life.

Google Arts & Culture has put together an in-depth virtual tour full of 360-degree photos and videos.

Everglades National Park is located in Florida and is the largest subtropical wilderness in the U.S. Besides being a national park, the Everglades are also listed as a World Heritage Site and Wetlands of International Importance — 1 of only 3 locations in the world to be named to all 3.

The Everglades are a network of wetlands and forests that are home to multiple rare and endangered species, including the manatee, American crocodile, and elusive Florida panther.

Additionally, the wetlands are an essential habitat to more than 350 species of birds, 300 species of fresh and saltwater fish, 40 species of mammals, and 50 species of reptiles.

See what wildlife you can spot on this virtual tour of the Everglades via Google Earth.

The Gates of the Arctic National Park is the northernmost national park in the U.S. , located entirely north of the Arctic Circle in Alaska.

With an average of just 10,000 visitors per year (the Grand Canyon gets 6 million+, for comparison), the Gates of the Arctic is the least-visited national park in the country.

The lack of visitors and the absence of any roads or trails make this park a virtually untouched ecosystem where rivers carve through glaciers and animals including caribou migrate along age-old paths.

To get a feel for how unique this park is without having to travel to the Arctic Circle, watch this video .

The Gateway Arch National Park (formerly known as the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial) is located in St. Louis, Missouri. The park is a memorial to Thomas Jefferson’s role in opening the West to the pioneers who helped shape its history and to the monumental Dred Scott slavery case.

The national park consists of the Gateway Arch (a St. Louis icon) and its 140,000-square foot-museum, a 91-acre park along the Mississippi River, the Old Courthouse, and a former state and federal courthouse where the Dred Scott case originated.

To “stand” underneath the Gateway Arch and get a feel for how big it really is, check out this 360-degree photo .

Glacier Bay National Park is 3.3 million acres of rugged mountains, glaciers, temperate rainforest, wild coastlines, and deep sheltered fjords in southeast Alaska.

Most visitors arrive by cruise ship, but many others come for overnight camping, hiking, mountaineering, kayaking, rafting, fishing, and birdwatching.

No need to start packing — you can get lost in the incredible photographs available online or check in on one of the many live webcams set up across the park.

Not to be confused with Glacier Bay National Park, Glacier National Park is located in Montana on the U.S.-Canada border and is much more easily accessible.

The 1 million-acre park offers more than 700 miles of trails along over 130 named lakes that are home to more than 1,000 different species of plants and hundreds of species of animals.

You can enjoy the pristine forests, alpine meadows, rugged mountains, and spectacular lakes from the comfort of your own home.

The Google Earth virtual tour features scenic alpine lakes, trails with panoramic views, and waterfalls.

Perhaps the most well-known of them all, the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona is a stunning 277-mile steep-sided canyon carved by the Colorado River.

Aside from the popular helicopter tours (and other tours from nearby Las Vegas), visitors can also enjoy rafting, hiking, running, and camping along the North and South Rim.

Ready to go on a hair-raising virtual hike? Check out this incredible virtual tour by Google Earth .

Grand Teton National Park is a 310,000-acre park in northwestern Wyoming that’s home to major mountain peaks including the Teton Peaks and valleys including Jackson Hole.

The pristine ecosystem and the same species of flora and fauna that have existed since prehistoric times can still be found there. Over 1,000 species of plants, dozens of species of mammals, 300 species of birds, and more than a dozen fish species call this park home.

Visitors can explore over 200 miles of trails, float the Snake River, and enjoy the serenity of this remarkable place.

To get a glimpse of that glory, you can take a Google Earth Street View virtual tour .

Located in northeast Nevada near the Utah border, Great Basin National Park has something to offer visitors during all 4 seasons.

With everything from the Lehman Caves to more than 800 different species of plants and a forest full of animals, there is plenty to explore in this 77,000-acre wilderness.

Get to know Great Basin National Park better with this video .

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is a conservation of vast sand dunes (up to 750 feet tall) in south-central Colorado.

The tallest sand dunes in North America cover about 30 square miles and provide 24-hour and year-round recreational entertainment. Camping, hiking, sandboarding, and walking the dunes underneath the moonlight are all popular activities at the park.

Want a better look? Check out the park’s YouTube channel !

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park stretches into parts of Tennessee and North Carolina and straddles the ridgeline of the Great Smoky Mountains, which is part of the larger Appalachian Mountain chain.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most popular national park in the country and hosts more than 10 million visitors each year — that is more than the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and Yellowstone combined!

Camping, hiking to waterfalls, admiring the diverse plant and animal life, as well as the remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture, all help make this national park so famous.

To learn more, you can take a private virtual tour via Google Earth Steet View  or check out these videos .

Just east of El Paso, Texas, Guadalupe Mountains National Park is home to the 4 highest peaks in Texas and so much more.

86,000 acres of forests, deserts, and dunes protect the world’s most extensive Permian fossil reef, which was on the floor of the Delaware Sea 260 to 265 million years ago.

Put on your virtual hiking boots and take a Google Earth Street View virtual tour of various trails, a 1930s cabin, and stalactites.

Haleakalā National Park is a 33,000-acre park on a dormant volcano on the Hawaiian island of Maui.

The park is home to incredible views, culture, tropical plants, and endangered species — some of which are not found anywhere else in the world.

Take a virtual drive and explore this beautiful park via this 4K video .

Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is located on the main island of Hawaii and rests on top of 2 active volcanoes : Kīlauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, and Mauna Loa, the world’s most massive shield volcano.

The park is home to some of the most unique geological, biological, and cultural landscapes in the world. Visitors come to learn about history, culture, volcanoes, and the island’s incredible biodiversity.

Thanks to Google Arts & Culture, you can immerse yourself in one of the most complete virtual tours of any park available.

The hot springs in Hot Springs National Park have drawn crowds to Arkansas for more than 20o years. Many believed that the springs held medicinal purposes, which helped turn this area into a “spa town” in the 1800s.

Today, visitors can explore on hikes or visit bathhouses for a traditional bath or soak in a common pool with water from the hot springs.

Take a virtual tour of Hot Springs National Park’s waterfalls, bubbly springs and fountains, and historic buildings with this video .

Located in northwestern Indiana, the Indiana Dunes National Park runs about 25 miles along the southern shore of Lake Michigan.

With more than 50,000 acres, visitors can enjoy the beach’s rugged dunes, mysterious wetlands, sunny prairies, meandering rivers, and peaceful forests.

Learn more about the park via videos directly from park rangers .

Isle Royale National Park consists of hundreds of neighboring islands, as well as the surrounding waters of Lake Superior, in the state of Michigan.

Although it is one of the least visited of all U.S. national parks, the park has the most repeat visitors . Isle Royale offers unparalleled solitude and adventures for hikers, boaters, kayakers, and even scuba divers.

Want to know what a 4-day backcountry hike is like in the park? Watch this video .

Located in southern California near Palm Springs, Joshua Tree National Park is named for the Joshua trees found in the Mojave Desert within the park.

The 790,000-acre park includes 2 deserts (Mojave and Colorado), and both have their own ecosystems due to differences in elevation.

Thanks to a unique variety of plants and animals, a rich cultural history, and surreal geologic features, it is no surprise this is a popular park.

Want to see for yourself? Take an in-depth Google Earth virtual tour , passing scenic landscape, Arch Rock, a cholla cactus garden, and oases.

Located in southern Alaska, the 4-million acre Katmai National Park is mainly designated as a wilderness area, meaning that hunting is banned.

The park is named after Mount Katmai, its famous stratovolcano. The national park is also known for its thousands of brown bears and the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes.

Keep up with all of the wildlife with the park’s extensive network of webcams .

Some of the most striking visuals you can imagine can be found at Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska. The park is named for the numerous fjords carved by the glaciers that have moved down the mountains from the ice field.

Nearly 40 glaciers flow from the Harding Icefield, where wildlife thrives in and on the water, and lush forest surrounds the sea.

Immerse yourself in an extremely interactive virtual tour by Google Arts & Culture to truly get a feel of this magnificent place.

Located in the Arctic region of northwestern Alaska, the 1.7 million-acre Kobuk Valley National Park is home to the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes and the famous caribou migration routes.

With no trails or access roads to the park , visitors must arrive by air taxi and bring all of their own gear for any backcountry camping, hiking, backpacking, boating, or dog sledding.

If you don’t plan on chartering your own plane to explore this beautiful park, you can watch some videos about the park .

Lake Clark National Park and Preserve is a 4 million acre park about 100 miles southwest of Anchorage, Alaska.

Turquoise lakes make way for volcano steam, while bears wait for the salmon run, all with a dramatic mountainous background.

Open year-round, but with no trails or roads , visitors must arrive by float or wheeled planes to start exploring.

Learn more about this unique park with this introductory video .

Home to the largest plug dome volcano in the world , Lassen Volcanic National Park in northeastern California is famous for its steaming sulfur vents, splattering mud pots, and boiling springs.

Visitors can swim and kayak in the spring-fed lakes, drive the Lassen Volcanic National Park Highway, and camp at one of the 8 on-site campgrounds.

Don’t wait to start exploring. Check out this incredible collection of 360-degree photos of hydrothermal areas, trails, and winter scenes.

Clocking in at over 400 miles, Mammoth Cave National Park in central Kentucky has the longest known cave system on the planet . Combined with 53,000+ acres of lush forest above ground, visitors can explore 2 very different worlds in 1 stop.

Mammoth Cave National Park has enough to keep most adventure seekers entertained, whether camping, hiking, or just exploring.

Go on an above or below-ground virtual video tour .

An American national park  and  UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mesa Verde National Park is home to some of the best-preserved Ancestral Puebloan archaeological sites in the U.S.

Located in Montezuma County, Colorado and serviced by 40 miles of roads, visitors can enjoy 5,000 archeological sites including 600 cliff dwellings dating back from 600 to 1300 A.D.

Explore cliff and cave dwellings, sandstone ruins, the Sun Temple, rock petroglyphs, and more thanks to an  in-depth virtual tour via Google Earth .

An icon standing 14,410 feet above sea level , Mount Rainier , a stratovolcano, is the centerpiece of this Washington state park.

Surrounded by valleys, rivers, meadows, and waterfalls, there are 91,000 acres for visitors to explore year-round.

Explore the marshland and ancient cedar forests of this beautiful national park from the comfort of your home thanks to this Google Earth virtual tour .

The National Park of American Samoa is spread across 3 islands in the South Pacific — Tutuila, Ofu, and Ta‘ū.

These “Islands of Sacred Earth” are home to stunning coral reefs, vast rain forests, the famous Samoan fruit bat, and of course, Samoan culture.

Grab your VR goggles and check out 360-degree photos of corals and sea life, including the adverse effects of rising water temperatures, from the virtual dive gallery of the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa.

The New River — one of the oldest on the entire continent — is located in southern West Virginia.

The park spans more than 70,000 acres of land along 53 miles with a whitewater river.

Check out the park’s webcam for a view of the gorge from Canyon Rim Visitor Center!

North Cascades National Park is a 500,000-acre park in Washington (less than 3 hours from Seattle) and is home to more than 300 glaciers and countless waterfalls.

Visitors can “hear the Cascades calling” through forested valleys and numerous waterways.

Are you ready to relax in the Cascades? Check out this stunning 4K video featuring gorgeous fall colors and nature sounds.

With almost 1 million acres of wilderness and 70 miles of coastline, the Olympic National Park in Washington is an incredible example of diverse wildlife.

The park is home to several distinct ecosystems , temperate rain forests, and even glacier-capped mountains.

Start exploring beaches, rock faces, lakes, and forests from home, thanks to this excellent virtual tour from Google Earth .

This relatively small national park only covers about 230 square miles in Arizona. It’s named for its large deposits of petrified wood .

Whether you are driving through for a backcountry hike or want to learn more about the woods, Petrified Forest National Park has plenty of exhibits that can bring stories to life.

Be sure to check out the webcam at the Painted Desert Inn Historic Landmark at Petrified Forest National Park, looking out over the colorful Painted Desert.

Pinnacles National Park is located in south-central California on the site of what was a volcano some 23 million years ago .

Today, visitors marvel at the unique landscape, which includes oak woodlands, canyon bottoms, towering rock spires, and unusual talus caves that house at least 13 species of bats.

Nature lovers will not want to miss this stunning 4K video timelapse of the park.

Along the rugged coast of northern California, you’ll find 40 miles dedicated to the Redwood National Park .

Redwood trees, found within the park, are the tallest trees on earth. This 39,000-acre national park is also home to vast prairies, oak woodlands, and wild river-ways.

Start exploring this natural gem’s redwood groves, including a drive through the Klamath Tour Thru Tree, thanks to this Google Earth Street View virtual tour .

Just northwest of Denver, Colorado, you will find the spectacular mountain paradise of Rocky Mountain National Park .

With more than 415 square miles of mountain environments, including 300 miles of hiking trails , wildlife, and wildflowers, visitors have plenty to enjoy when the park is open.

No need to wait for the perfect day or time to visit — you can enjoy an in-depth Google Earth virtual tour of impressive peaks, alpine lakes, and expansive views.

Saguaro National Park is a 92,000-acre park in Arizona that consists of 2 separate areas: the Tucson Mountain District and the Rincon Mountain District. Both parks preserve a delicate desert landscape with plenty of wildlife as well as the famous giant saguaro cacti .

With 165 miles of trails, hiking, biking, and horseback riding are all popular activities.

Immerse yourself in the fascinating cacti and wildlife with this incredible video tour .

Located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range in the central valley of California, these 2 national parks host more than 2 million visitors per year.

Kings Canyon got its name due to a giant glacier that carved its way through the valley more than 1-mile deep.

Sequoia National Park is named after  the world’s largest stands of giant sequoia trees, which tower over the valley.

Check out this virtual tour by Google Earth . Highlights include the ~275-foot-tall General Sherman Tree, a tunnel log, Moro Rock, and Crystal Cave.

Located in Virginia, Shenandoah National Park is just a 75-mile drive from downtown Washington, D.C. The long and narrow park has its valley and rolling hills split down the middle by the scenic Skyline Drive.

With more than 200,000 acres of protected lands, visitors are likely to see waterfalls, deer, songbirds, black bears, and more.

Take a Google Earth virtual tour of hiking trails, waterfalls, and vistas, or visit Shenandoah’s own virtual tour of its historic buildings.

Named after the former president, Theodore Roosevelt National Park’s 70,000 acres of badlands are split across 3 sections in Noth Dakota.

Spectacular multicolored rock formations, dramatic canyons, and sweeping plains are home to elk, prairie dogs, and about 500 bison .

About 750,000 annual visitors come for wildlife spotting, birdwatching, hiking, horseback riding, stargazing, and scenic drives.

Take a peek at what is going on via the park’s webcam of Painted Canyon , a virtual tour of Maltese Cross Cabin , or the park’s multimedia content .

Known as “America’s Paradise,”  Virgin Islands National Park preserves about 60% of the island of St. John , about 5,000 acres of ocean, and almost all of Hassel Island.

Besides the beautiful beaches and pristine snorkeling, the park attracts visitors for its history of sugar plantations and ancient petroglyphs carved by the Taino Indians.

Explore this island’s tropical forests, petroglyphs, ruins of a 1700s Danish sugar plantation, and white sand beaches via a Google Earth virtual tour .

Located in northern Minnesota, Voyageurs National Park is 218,000 acres of outstanding water resources.

Known for its maze of interconnected water highways , it is no surprise that this is a popular spot for fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and boating.

Visitors can access this national park in the winter by snowmobile, ski, or snowshoe.

If you are interested in this park, you won’t want to miss this stunning timelapse video .

Inside this 145,000 acre park in New Mexico, visitors will find 275 square miles of white sand dunes composed of gypsum crystals. This gypsum dune field is the largest of its kind on Earth .

Famous among sledders and photographers, White Sands National Park receives about 600,000 visitors per year, which is the most of any national park in New Mexico.

If you would like to learn more about this incredible national park, check out these videos made by park rangers.

Wind Cave National Park in western South Dakota is home to one of the longest caves in the world , measuring in at over 149 miles explored so far. The Wind Cave is notable for its calcite formations known as boxwork, which make up about 95% of the world’s known boxwork formations .

Above ground is pretty interesting as well: with the forested hillside and rolling prairie grasslands making a lovely home for bison, elk, and other wildlife.

Go on a Google Earth virtual tour of scenic grasslands and ponderosa pine forest without leaving your couch.

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is located in south-central Alaska and is, by far, America’s largest national park measuring in at over 13 million acres.

With everything from wildlife to volcanoes and glaciers, this national park has something for every outdoor enthusiast.

Take yourself on a “1-day visit” video tour of this unique piece of the American landscape.

Yellowstone National Park was the very first national park and stretches across 3 U.S. states, including Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. The park is centered over the Yellowstone Caldera lake, the largest supervolcano on the continent .

One of the lesser threatening attractions is the Old Faithful Geyser , known for its regularity of eruptions.

Visitors come to enjoy the thousands of other hot springs, geysers, and mud pots that dot the wild landscape each year.

Take a private Google Earth virtual tour of this famous national park — featuring geysers, waterfalls, springs, and more — from the comfort of your own home.

Located in the Sierra Nevada range of central California, Yosemite National Park covers an area of 748,000 acres and receives an average of 4 million visitors per year.

Yosemite is internationally recognized for many of its features, including its granite cliffs, waterfalls, clear streams, giant sequoia groves, lakes, mountains, meadows, glaciers, and incredible biological diversity.

Thanks to Google Earth’s virtual tour , start exploring this park, including the iconic Half Dome and El Capitan.

Zion National Park was Utah’s first national park and is relatively small compared to other parks, measuring in at only 229 square miles.

But that small size doesn’t mean there is any less to explore. Massive red sandstone cliffs create canyons that traverse for miles and create a unique ecosystem for native plants and animals.

Explore this gem, including Court of the Patriarchs, Temple of Sinawava, and Kanarraville Falls, on a virtual tour by Google Earth ,

There are so many stunning and educational national parks that it could take a lifetime to see them all. With the help of technology, we can enjoy these natural wonders from the comfort of home.

Use these online resources to scratch that travel itch, gain some extra wanderlust, and start planning your next trip to one of these national parks.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many national parks are there.

There are 63 sites that are considered national parks in the U.S. These parks are world-renowned for their history, natural beauty, and unique wildlife. These parks are generally open for recreation for free or for a small fee.

Which national parks offer virtual tours?

Many of the U.S. national parks offer virtual tours online for free. While some of the more popular parks have excellent production thanks to Google Earth, others can still show you the park via video or 360-degree photos. We have compiled the best way to see each park online — just click the name of the park you are interested in.

Are virtual tours free?

Yes! Every virtual tour that we have linked to in this article is completely free of charge. On top of that, every national park has its own website full of unique and specific information about that location. With everything from ranger videos to gorgeous photography, the amount of free content is incredible.

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About Chris Hassan

Chris holds a B.S. in Hospitality and Tourism Management and managed social media for all Marriott properties in South America, making him a perfect fit for UP and its social media channels. He has a passion for making content catered toward family travelers.

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Biscayne National Park Planner (Everything You Need to Know)

Biscayne National Park is, hands down, one of the most tantalizing and extraordinary national parks in America. While it’s not filled with dirt trails and lush forests, this park still woos travelers with its spectacular underwater treasures.

As a matter of fact, 95% of this national park sits under Florida’s sparkling, crystal clear turquoise water. With its colorful coral reefs, exhilarating outdoor pursuits, and shipwrecks, Biscayne National Park is a veritable ocean playground.

What’s more, this 270-square-mile aquatic paradise has a diverse ecosystem full of uniquely shaped corals and multi-colored fish. Did we mention that it’s home to photogenic lighthouses and miles of beautiful wavy seagrass and mangrove channels?

For a memorable, sunny, and salty escape here, check out our extensive our Biscayne National Park travel guide.

While exploring Florida we suggest: Fodor’s Florida Travel Guide

Biscayne National Park Map

Table of Contents

If you’re looking for a Biscayne National Park map, the one featured below will show you the proximity of the national park to Miami and Homestead. I’ve also marked the visitors center for reference.

HOW TO USE THIS MAP:  Above you’ll find a map of our highlights for Biscayne National Park. Click on the top left of the map to find separate layers marking the route and points of interest. You can hide and show different layers, or click icons on the map to see the names of places we mention in this travel guide. “Star” the map to save it to your own Google Maps, or open the map in a new window for a larger version.

Brief History of Biscayne Bay

In 1513, Juan Ponce de Leon became the first European to discover the Florida Keys. After the arrival of the other Spanish conquistadors and explorers later in the 1500s, the Florida area came under the Spanish rule.

From the 1500s to the 20th century, Spanish fleets sailed regularly past the keys and were usually caught in massive hurricanes. There were at least  two 18th-century ships from Spain wrecked in the national park area.

In the 1890, as modern communities expanded, developers looked into Key Biscayne’s undeveloped areas for new projects. A bustling industrial seaport was then, in 1962, proposed for Biscayne Bay’s mainland shores.

Thankfully, there were conservationists who succeeded in fighting to preserve the bay. In 1968, the bay was designated a national monument. A few years later, in 1974, Biscayne Bay was redesignated as a national park.

Plan Your Visit to Biscayne National Park

How to get to biscayne national park.

The Dante Fascell Visitor Center, situated in Homestead, is the main access to the national park. From Downtown Miami, you can reach this gateway in 90 minutes or less. Just hit Exit 6/Speedway Boulevard and drive left on Southwest 328th Street.

You may also use Google Maps or any other navigational apps to reach the visitor center.

• Address: 9700 SW 328th St, Homestead, FL 33033, United States
• Contact number: (305) 230-1144
• Website: https://www.nps.gov/bisc/planyourvisit/the-dante-fascell-visitor-center-gallery.htm

Besides the Dante Fascell Visitor Center, there are other gateways and marinas to the park, including Crandon and Homestead Bayfront.

Nearby Marinas and Boat Launches

Even though it has a paddleboard, canoe, and kayak launch, there are no boat ramps or marinas at the Dante Fascell Visitor Center.

However, you may launch boats from a number of nearby access points flowing into the bay, including:

• Crandon Park Marina (Key Biscayne) 4000 Crandon Boulevard, Key Biscayne, FL 33149
• Matheson Hammock Park Marina (near Coral Gables) 9610 Old Cutler Road, Miami, FL 33156
• Black Point Park and Marina (perfect for access to Elliot Key and Boca Chita) 24775 SW 87th Avenue, Miami, FL 33032
• Herbert Hoover Marina (Homestead Bayfront Park) 9698 N. Canal Drive, Homestead, FL 33033

Best Time to Visit Biscayne National Park

The best time to visit Biscayne National Park is summer when the weather is normally warmer. Furthermore, the seas are calm during these months, meaning it’s ideal for diving and snorkeling.

Still, visitors should be ready for thunderstorms and mosquitoes when visiting the park in summer.

How to Get Around Biscayne National Park

The best way to explore the park is by boat, especially since it’s mostly made up of water. If you have your own boat or vessel, you may explore the park on your own.

We recommend consulting with a ranger first before you venture into this exquisite natural wonder. That way, you’ll know where to go in Biscayne National Park, and ensure that your skills and knowledge are up to the challenge.

Alternatively, you may book a tour through Biscayne National Park Institute , which provides a variety of excursions within the park.

We booked the full-day sailing trip that departs from the Dante Fascell Visitors Center and with favorable weather and wind, were able to visit Boca Chita Key. The trip is very exclusive with only 6 visitors per trip.

How Much Does it Cost to Visit Biscayne National Park?

There’s no admission fee for this national park. There are, however, fees for certain activities and tours within the park. Camping, for one, costs a few bucks per night for each tent on Boca Chita Key and Elliott Key.

Campers with boats that need to be docked will have to pay an overnight fee of $20. Additionally, group camping is available for $30 a night.

While the park itself doesn’t charge admission, you’ll need to book a tour or charter a boat to see the actual park. So actual costs will vary depending on your choices for exploring.

Best Things to Do in Biscayne National Park

There’s never a dull moment in Biscayne National Park. With an open mind and an adventurous soul, you can experience a world of adventures both in water and on land in this park.

For an unforgettable escape, check out these recommendations.

Snorkeling in Biscayne National Park

One of the most popular and top activities is to go snorkeling in Biscayne National Park. With the park being located at the starting point of the Great Florida Barrier Reef, there is no mystery about this favored activity.

You can expect to see healthy coral, plenty of fish species, and plenty of other marine critters when you hop in the protected waters of Biscayne Bay.

While the reefs here don’t compare to the ones we’ve seen in Southeast Asia and the South Pacific, there is something special about experiencing the marine life that abounds in the only living reef off the coast of the USA.

Explore the Maritime Heritage Trail

The Maritime Heritage Trail is, no doubt, the national park’s undisputed crown jewel. Ideal for scuba diving and snorkeling, this underwater paradise is home to some of the numerous shipwrecks in Biscayne National Park.

There are five wrecks that span almost a century and a wide range of vessel types and sizes along this trail.

Take a Reef Cruise

Enjoying a reef cruise is one of the best and most fascinating ways to visit this national park. On this cruise, you’ll come in contact with over 320 kinds of fish, spiny lobsters, crabs, and shrimp.

Plus, you’ll spot tons of birds as you take this cruise, including cormorants and herons.

Boats depart from Convoy Point, and you’ll get an insightful orientation to the extraordinary fauna and flora of the bay before leaving.

There’s also a glass-bottom boat tour that lets you get a peek into the underwater world without ever getting wet.

Visit the Jones Family Historic District and Lagoon

Want to add a hint of history to your nature trip in Biscayne National Park? Then don’t forget to experience a kayaking escape on the Jones Family Historic District and Lagoon.

The area is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, making it an amazing pit stop for history buffs. The area is made up of Totten Key and Porgy Key, in which the Jones family grew key limes and pineapples in the 19th century.

Stop by the Dante Fascell Visitor Center

Spend a few hours at this visitors’ center, and watch a short film that will take you on an eye-opening virtual journey through the national park. Afterward, appreciate the interpretive exhibits displayed inside the visitors’ center.

Before leaving the area, pause at Dante Fascell Gallery, and watch a variety of striking contemporary art.

Explore Boca Chita Key

No list of the best things to do in Biscayne National Park is complete without a tour of Boca Chita. Led by a park naturalist, this three-hour boat tour lets you climb the historic lighthouse of the island.

On a clear day, you’ll see the striking skyline of Miami from this lighthouse. While it has never been a working lighthouse, this man-made attraction is still a sight to behold.

You’ll learn more about the history of this lighthouse and island through the knowledgeable park rangers.

Kayaking in Biscayne National Park

Paddlers will have ample opportunities to explore and see the mangrove shoreline along Biscayne mainland. You can rent a kayak or canoe by the national park concessioner. Don’t forget to drop by the visitor center for suggested routes and weather conditions.

That said, kayaking from the mainland to either Elliot Key or Boca Chita Key should not be attempted. If you wish to kayak around these islands, you’ll need to book a tour that visits them with a kayaking option.

Enjoy a SUP Adventure

If you’ve booked a sailing or boat trip out to either Boca Chita Key or Elliot Key, then you’ll likely have the opportunity to hop on a SUP board. This is a great way to see the reef and get up close to the mangroves in protected waters.

We find using SUP boards to be more intimate than a kayak and you can also snorkel from them! Just be sure to hang onto the tether while swimming so your board doesn’t blow away.

Hiking the Trails

Even with its limited land area, the park does have a few trails for those who want to stretch their legs. Hiking trails within the park include the Jetty Trail, Adams Key Loop, Elliott Key Loop, Spite Highway Trail, and Boca Chita Key Loop.

You’re not going to put serious miles under you on any of these trails, so don’t expect that. However, it’s a great way to explore the islands looking for interesting flora and fauna while seeking unique vantage points.

Where to Stay in Biscayne National Park

Biscayne National Park has a couple of excellent campgrounds. One is located on Boca Chita, a popular island destination for day trips. The other sits on the park’s largest island, Elliot Key.

You’ll have to shell out $25 a night on any of the park’s campgrounds. The fee includes boat docking and camping. Both campgrounds are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Although it has restrooms, there’s no shower or sink in Boca Chita Key’s campground. Also, there’s no drinking water available on this island. So, make sure to bring plenty of drinking water on your camping trip.

On the bright side, the campground is equipped with picnic tables and grills. But you’ll need to bring all of your own food and supplies to the island. With that in mind, be sure to pack out every single thing you pack in. Including your garbage. Leave nothing behind.

Meanwhile, Elliot Key’s campground has scores of convenient amenities. Not only does it offer drinking water, but it also has cold water showers, grills, picnic tables, and restrooms.

Where to Stay Near the National Park

Not fond of camping? Guess what? There are plenty of non-tented accommodation options near the park, ranging from upscale hotels to budget-friendly inns.

If you’re not planning to camp within the park, take note of our recommended places in nearby Homestead and Florida City below:

• Quality Inn
• Best Western

What to Pack for Your Visit

Not sure what to bring your vacation to this national park? Do yourself a favor, and check out our general packing list.

• Refillable water bottle
• Hiking sandals or boots
• Camera and tripod
• Bathing suit
• Rashguard or sun shirt
• Hiking shorts or pants
• Mosquito repellent
• Snacks and pack lunch

Looking for more information on what you should pack when visiting Biscayne National Park? Check out our Essential Packing List for Florida

You might also like:

• How to Get to Dry Tortugas National Park
• Ultimate Florida Keys Road Trip Planner
• Ultimate Key West Itinerary
• 18 Amazing Things to Do in Key Largo
• What to Do in Islamorada, Florida
• Ultimate 3 Day Weekend in Miami Itinerary
• Ultimate US National Parks Bucket List

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Lina is an award-winning photographer and writer that has been exploring the world since 2001. She has traveled to 100 countries on all 7 continents. Member: SATW, NATJA, ATTA, ITWA

1 thought on “Biscayne National Park Planner (Everything You Need to Know)”

The Aquatic Paradise, eco-system, crystal clear water of Biscayne National Park really appeal a lot, wishing to visit the place soon.

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Two Must-Do Biscayne National Park Tours

Last Updated on September 5, 2023 by Grant

When visiting Biscayne National Park, your first goal should be to get out on the water. That’s because 95% of the park is underwater. Without your own boat, the best way to do this is with one of the Biscayne National Park tours operated by the Biscayne National Park Institute. Whether you are taking a boat tour or doing something more active, such as snorkeling at Biscayne National Park, the water is where you really experience all that the park has to offer.

On our most recent visit, we actually took two different tours: the Snorkel & Paddle Eco-Adventure and the Boca Chita Island Experience. On the snorkel and paddle tour, we had a chance to get in the water and really see the underwater plant and animal life. As you’d expect, it was a physically demanding tour. The Boca Chita Island tour, however, was perfect for those looking for something a bit more relaxed. 

Whatever your interests, the Biscayne National Park Institute should be your first stop for exploring the park without your own boat.

(Disclaimer: When we link to places where you can buy our stuff or places we stayed, we are using special codes that earn us commissions on the sales at no additional cost to you. Please see our  Review Policy   for more information.)

About the Biscayne National Park Institute

The Biscayne National Park Institute is a non-profit partnership between Biscayne National Park and the Florida National Parks Association. The Institute provides tours and educational experiences for visitors while also supporting the goals and needs of Biscayne National Park. The proceeds from the various tours and programs are used directly to support Biscayne National Park.

The Biscayne National Park Institute offers a variety of tours, providing visitors to the park a wide range of experiences. Visitors looking for some adventure can take a snorkel and/or paddle tour. Those looking for a more relaxed tour can take one of the daily boat tours to picturesque Boca Chita Key or a once-a-month evening cruise through Biscayne Bay.

On each tour, you’ll learn about the history and natural world of Biscayne National Park, as well as the surrounding area.

Snorkel & Paddle Eco-Adventure at Biscayne National Park

I’ll be honest, the Snorkel and Paddle Eco-Adventure is probably not a tour that we would have chosen for ourselves. When the folks with the Biscayne National Park Institute reached out to us and suggested this tour, however, we were intrigued. We thought this would be a good opportunity to push ourselves a little and try something different, so we accepted. 

While parts of the tour were challenging, we really enjoyed it and highly recommend this tour even if you’re not experienced at paddleboarding or snorkeling. Just make sure you can handle the physical aspects of paddleboarding, even if you have to sit or kneel as we did. 

On the 6-hour tour, we spent about 45 minutes getting to the paddleboard location in Jones Lagoon and about two hours paddleboarding through the area. From there, we went over to nearby Adams Key for a picnic lunch. 

After lunch, we relocated again for the snorkeling portion of the tour. The captain/tour guide will decide the best location based on the weather and visibility. We ended up on the bay side of one of the keys. We had about an hour to snorkel before heading back to the visitor center.

One of the things we loved most about this tour is that the boat is limited to only six people. This made the experience much more personal than many other tours that we’ve done.

Paddleboarding in Biscayne National Park

While we have both been canoeing and kayaking, this was actually our first time paddleboarding. The hardest part of paddleboarding is keeping your balance when standing. Sitting or kneeling on the board, however, really isn’t that difficult. It can be tough on your knees after a while, though. 

Grant attempted to stand a couple of times early on but was never successful. Let’s just say that he figured out the water temperature fairly quickly. I didn’t even attempt to stand until we were close to the end of the tour. I made it upright but was very unsteady. I’ll be honest, I stood long enough for Grant to get a picture, then promptly spent the rest of the tour sitting or kneeling.

What I enjoyed most about this part of the tour was getting to see the underwater plant and animal life up close and personal. Our guide did a great job finding unusual sea creatures, telling us about them and letting us see them up close. 

During our paddle, we saw a sea cucumber, a spotted sea hare (a type of large sea slug), a few starfish, many Casseopia jellyfish and a couple of small nurse sharks. Of course, we also saw countless fish and birds.

We paddled all around the lagoon and through mangrove tunnels. At times the water level was so low a few people got off and walked their boards through the seagrass. Most of the time, though, the paddling was fairly easy. Staying balanced while sitting or kneeling was, thankfully, much easier than I expected!

Snorkeling in Biscayne National Park

Grant loves to snorkel and dive. I, however, do not. I’m actually not a fan of open water. 

I don’t mind being ON the water – in a boat, canoe, kayak, or paddleboard. For whatever reason, I don’t like being IN the water. I am actually a fairly good swimmer when it comes to pools. There is something about the vastness of the ocean that is overwhelming, though. I can handle shallow water, as long as I can stand, the water is clear and the bottom is free of plants; I really don’t like walking on seagrass or other plants that could be home to little (or big) critters.

When the park offered this tour and the opportunity for snorkeling in Biscayne National Park, I knew this was something Grant would love. Snorkeling is definitely not my thing, but I didn’t want Grant to miss out on the opportunity. 

As expected, Grant took off with the snorkel and explored all over the area. In the open cove, he found plenty of fish and a few pieces of coral. His favorite part was looking in and under the mangroves and finding all the fish taking shelter among the roots. 

I, of course, just hung out at the boat. Thankfully, our guide was very understanding. She got out one of the paddleboards which I used to “snorkel” and still have something to keep me “grounded.” 

While I didn’t get very far away from the boat, I was able to see a variety of plants and small fish. The highlight was seeing an eel hanging out and swimming through the grass. 

I also learned that breathing through a snorkel really isn’t as difficult as I thought it might be.

What to Expect on the Snorkel and Paddle Eco-Adventure

Throughout the boat ride and the paddling, our captain/tour guide provided a history of the park and the area. We learned many great stories of previous island inhabitants and why Biscayne National Park was created. 

As we started out from the dock, our boat had some mechanical difficulties. I really have no idea what was wrong, but the captain handled it very well. She acted quickly, without panicking and got us on our way so we could enjoy the day.

Once we reached the paddleboarding location, our guide gave us the basics of how to paddleboard. You certainly do NOT have to have any experience before this tour. In fact, only 2 of the 6 people on the tour had prior paddleboard experience. We spent about 2 hours paddling with little to no shade, so I’d also suggest reef-safe sunscreen and perhaps a long sleeve sun shirt . You can get both of these in the Biscayne National Park gift shop when you check-in for your tour.

You’ll need to bring your own lunch and a water bottle. There was a cooler on board and plenty of water to refill your bottle as needed. 

In terms of snorkeling, our guide helped us all to get situated and in the water. We were free to explore on our own, as long as we stayed within sight of the boat. In addition to me not being comfortable snorkeling, there was another couple who I don’t think could even swim. They did not speak English well, so we weren’t sure. The guide did a great job of working with us all to help ensure we still enjoyed the snorkeling portion of the tour.

Boca Chita Island Experience

The three-hour Boca Chita tour is perfect for visitors of all ages. On the 45-minute ride to the key, the tour guide will tell you some of the history of Boca Chita Key and the other keys in Biscayne National Park. Once we arrived, we had about an hour and twenty minutes to explore on our own before returning to the visitor center.

Boca Chita Key is a small island in Biscayne Bay, once owned by Mark Honeywell. In the 1930s, he developed half of the island to include an ornamental lighthouse, a small chapel and a garage. The other half of the island was left natural and today includes a short walking trail.

The Honeywells often hosted parties, with guests making the trek from Miami Beach aboard luxury yachts. Many of the structures still stand today, including the cannon that was fired to announce guests when they arrived at the island! Visitors can climb the 65-foot lighthouse for an impressive view of the island and the surrounding water.

What to Do on Boca Chita Key

We started our Boca Chita Key tour by checking out the view from the lighthouse. Yes, you have to climb the narrow, winding staircase to the top, but it really was not a difficult climb. The view from the top was well worth the small effort to get up there. The blue water of Biscayne Bay provided a picture-perfect sight in all directions.

From the lighthouse, we could also easily see all the private boats, both big and small, tied up in the harbor. When we were there, we spotted what looked like a tugboat converted into a “yacht.” I suppose it is the RVers in us that were fascinated by this.

There is a small man-made beach if you’re interested in sitting out in the sun or swimming.

Next, we headed over to the short trail that runs across the undeveloped side of the island. On the trail, you’ll find plenty of shade from the surrounding trees. Unfortunately, you’ll also likely find more mosquitoes. 

The trail used to wrap all the way around the island, but Hurricane Irma destroyed the footbridge, For now, you’ll have to just turn around then retrace your steps back. In all, it took us 15-20 minutes to walk the trail. That was with a few stops for pictures.

There are also plenty of picnic tables if you want to bring lunch with you. We actually brought our lunch but didn’t have time to eat before we had to get back on the boat. By this time, the wind had picked up and clouds had moved in, so the timing ended up being pretty good. 

What to Expect on the Boat Ride

The high-speed boat that takes you to Boca Chita Key is mostly covered, with seating around the perimeter. As we boarded, the captain warned us that we may get a little wet, especially if seated towards the front. As predicted, those sitting in the front did get splashed, some more than others. 

While a few people did get fairly wet, overall the trip wasn’t that bad and everyone dried out quickly. For the most part, it was a smooth and easy 45-minute trip.

By the time we left Boca Chita Key, the wind had picked up and gray clouds covered the sky. It was obvious to us all that the return trip would be a little rough. Indeed, the winds blew water just about everywhere. Everyone in the first half of the boat was pretty much soaked by the time we returned to dock at the visitor center. 

A lot of folks did squeeze in towards the back of the boat for the return trip, but there just wasn’t enough room for everyone to get out of the “splash zone.”

Pro tip: wear lightweight clothing that will dry quickly.

I’d certainly suggest sandals or some sort of shoes that can get wet. How wet you get will depend on where you are sitting and how big the waves are. Just know that you might want a change of clothes by the time you get back.

Other Things to Do at Biscayne National Park

Both of our tours with the Biscayne National Park Institute included great information from the tour guides on the history of the park and its purpose. I would also suggest at least a quick stop at the visitor center, where you’ll find a view exhibits and a park film. The film has a few different parts that provide more information about the underwater life and history of the area.

There is also a short walking trail just off the visitor center. If you don’t have time for a tour or snorkeling in Biscayne National Park, I definitely suggest that you at least walk the trail. The trail should only take you about 10-15 minutes unless you want to spend more time enjoying the fabulous Florida weather or fishing.

If you have your own boat, you can camp on Boca Chita Key or Elliott Key. Both have bathrooms, but no showers. 

Final Thoughts on Biscayne National Park Tours

When we first visited Biscayne National Park in 2012, we just stopped at the visitor center and walked the short trail. We did not get out into the water at all. While we were happy to “check it off” as a visit, we knew we didn’t really get to experience what the park is all about.

Getting to do a couple of tours with the Biscayne National Park Institute really was the best way to experience what this park has to offer. We truly enjoyed snorkeling at Biscayne National Park. Since the vast majority of the park is underwater, that really is the best way to see all the plants and animals that make a home there. 

If you’re more like me and prefer to stay above water, the boat tours offer much of the same history with a lot less physical activity. Boca Chita Key may not be big but we had a great time exploring. And, it really is one of the most picturesque places we visited in the park.

We enjoyed everything about our tours with the Biscayne National Park Institute and highly recommend them both.

A special thanks to the Biscayne National Park Institute for sponsoring our Snorkel and Paddle Eco-Adventure tour. To clarify, we paid for the Boca Chita Key tour ourselves. As always, all opinions are our own.

Looking for more on the Florida National Parks? Check out our articles on Visiting Florida’s Northeast Parks , Things to Do in Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve and our Guide to the South Florida National Parks .

Travel Resources

What do you use to find a flight.

We use Skyscanner to find deals on flights. Skyscanner has a great interface and compares tons of airlines for the best pricing and routing. That said, it does not always have every airline and some airlines will have better deals on their website. Still, Skyscanner is a great place to start. Click here to search for a flight.

What do you use to find a hotel?

We typically stay at Hilton properties , so we use the Hilton website . You can find good Hilton Honors discounts or AAA discounts for a hotel there. We make great use of our free night certificates from our Hilton Honors American Express. Click here to book a Hilton property.

If there are no Hilton properties available, we use TripAdvisor to read reviews and book the hotel. We find we can get the best price that way. Click here to search for a hotel.

We recently partnered with Stay22 to add interactive maps to each of our destination posts. This will allow you to see a plethora of hotels and vacation rentals all in one responsive map of the area.

What if I need more space than I can get at a hotel?

We use Vrbo for the times when we have rented a cabin for a weekend getaway, like this cabin in Townsend, TN , or needed to rent a house for a large family vacation. We had a great experience with them in terms of refunding deposits when COVID hit and will continue to use them. Click here to search for a vacation rental.

Who do you use for rental cars?

As a general rule, we book with Hertz for rental cars. We have had nothing but good experiences with them. Plus, we really like unlimited mileage and not worrying about crossing state lines. We have even rented from Hertz overseas in both Slovenia and Croatia . Click here to book a rental car.

How about booking a cruise?

We have found some amazing prices for booking a cruise through Cruise Direct . We have saved a lot of money on our cruises compared to what we found elsewhere, making a last-minute Bahamas cruise even cheaper. Click here to book a cruise.

What if I want to rent an RV?

We highly recommend Outdoorsy for RV rentals. We rented a camper van for a week to visit Rocky Mountain National Park for the elk rut and Custer State Park for the Buffalo Round-Up and had a blast. The program was easy to use and we really enjoyed the freedom of having a camper van for that trip. Click here to rent an RV.

What do you use for booking tours?

We don’t often book tours. Typically, we like to do stuff on our own. That said, there are some experiences you can’t have any other way. So, when we do want to book a tour, we always check Viator first. Click here to book a tour.

Do you use anything to get discounts on the road?

We make extensive use of both Good Sam and AAA on the road. Good Sam is normally regarded as a discount card for RVers at campgrounds and Camping World but anyone can use the 5 cents off a gallon at the pump at both Pilot and Flying J. Click here to get a Good Sam membership. We have had AAA as long as we have been married and it has more than paid for itself in discounts at hotels, aside from the peace of mind of having roadside assistance. Add in paper maps and the ability to get an international driver’s license and it is more than worth it for any traveler out there. Click here to get a AAA membership.

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Biscayne National Park Is 95% Underwater — and That's Exactly Why You Need to Visit (Video)

Everything you need to know before you visit Biscayne National Park.

National parks are among our country’s most treasured assets, but not all of them encompass 173,000 acres of coral reefs , tropical islands, mangrove forests, turquoise waters, and 10,000 years of human history. Leave it to Florida to give us a perfectly tropical take on national parkland — one you can access only by boat, since 95% of the park is comprised of water.

You can see the Miami skyline from Biscayne National Park , part of the chain of Florida Keys , and yet visiting feels like stepping onto another planet. Biscayne National Park's snorkeling is some of the nation’s best, complete with colorful coral, shipwrecks, sea life, and more, waiting to be discovered under the surface.

Planning a visit to Biscayne National Park? Here's everything you need to know before you go.

Planning a Trip to Biscayne National Park

Located between Miami and the Florida Keys, Biscayne National Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days per year, and is completely free to visit — there are no entrance fees or passes required. However, the park’s islands, reefs, and other natural attractions are only accessible by boat. Guided tours are available.

The Dante Fascell Visitor Center is located at 9700 SW 328th Street, Sir Lancelot Jones Way, in Homestead, Florida. Spend time learning about the park in the onsite museum, which displays films, a virtual journey through the park’s four ecosystems, and a gallery of work by local artists inspired by the park. Kids can get hands-on at the touch table or begin working toward a junior ranger badge.

Many boat tours and programs begin at the Dante Fascell Visitor Center, and it’s open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Best Time to Visit Biscayne National Park

Thanks to Florida’s year-round sunshine and aversion to winter, there’s no bad time to visit.

Still, the best time to visit Biscayne National Park depends on your plans: if you want to snorkel or dive, for example, the water is warmest during the summer, and you likely won’t even need a wetsuit. But if you’re more interested in Biscayne National Park camping, Florida summers are known to be sweltering and buggy, so it would be best to visit during cooler months.

Keep in mind that mosquitoes are a factor year-round, and hurricane season lasts from June to November. Florida is frequently located in the path of hurricanes, so plan accordingly — you can still visit during hurricane season, of course, but come prepared with a backup plan in case a storm forms.

Things To Do at Biscayne National Park: Snorkeling, Camping, and More

Biscayne National Park is ripe with outdoor adventure . After checking out the Dante Fascell Visitor Center, you can boat, camp , canoe, kayak, snorkel, wander island trails, take fishing classes , or patiently await a wildlife spotting — dolphins, turtles, and many types of birds and fish call the park home.

The park is composed of a series of small, low-lying, sandy islands called keys. The largest is Elliott Key , which was once home to early-Florida pioneers who lived on the island and worked as pineapple farmers, spongers, or wreckers. Today, visitors can camp (there’s an overnight docking fee of $25) or spend the day swimming, hiking, fishing, or picnicking.

The other campground in Biscayne National Park (there are a total of two) is located on Boca Chita Key , the most visited island in the park. Boca Chita Key is home to a 65-foot lighthouse built in the 1930s, which has an observation deck at the top where visitors can enjoy views of the bay and Miami in the distance.

Biscayne National Park camping is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Camping and docking fees are waived every summer from May 1 to September 30, but be prepared to face heavier populations of insects.

You can also visit Adams Key , once a favored retreat for U.S. presidents. Today, it’s open for day use only; you can picnic or explore a hardwood hammock on a short trail.

The Maritime Heritage Trail is the crown jewel of Biscayne National Park snorkeling, an underwater haven for snorkelers and scuba divers alike. Biscayne National Park is the final resting place of many shipwrecks spanning centuries, and the Maritime Heritage Trail is where you can explore their remains. You can also swim around the base of the Fowey Rocks Lighthouse, built in 1878 after the nearby wreck of the S.S. Arratoon Apcar .

Want to add more history into your outdoor adventuring? The Jones Family Historic District and Lagoon is a favorite among kayakers. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Jones Family Historic District consists of Porgy Key and Totten Key, where the Jones family grew pineapples and key limes in the 1800s. Upon the sale of their 277 acres, they became millionaires — an uncommon fate for African-Americans in the early twentieth-century American South.

Another item of interest is a group of seven overwater stilt houses, called Stiltsville, in the northern area of the park. However, Stiltsville is closed to the public.

Where to Stay Near Biscayne National Park

Not up for camping at Biscayne National Park? There are plenty of non-tented options nearby, including a range of hotel chains in Homestead, which is a half-hour drive due west of the park.

Staying in Homestead gives you easy access to off-the-beaten-path Florida gems such as the Coral Castle and Robert Is Here Fruit Stand , home of the world’s most mouthwatering fresh fruit milkshakes.

However, to maximize your vacation days, consider staying in Miami or the Keys and making a day trip out of Biscayne National Park. Key Largo is about an hour’s drive south of the park, and it feels a bit like jetting off to a tropical island, no passport required. Or head north to stay in Miami hotspots like Coconut Grove, South Beach, or Key Biscayne, each a little over an hour’s drive from the park.

Biscayne National Park

Turquoise waters, secluded islands and vibrant coral reefs

Biscayne National Park is 95% underwater and 100% worth preserving, protecting and restoring.

When people envision Florida’s coasts, the gentle waves lapping at the soft sand under a bright sun generally come to mind, but the greatest things our waters have to offer are actually found under the surface.

Covering close to 173,000 acres, four distinct ecosystems melt into one another creating rich edge communities or “ecotones.” These edges support an incredible array of wildlife, including hundreds of species of colorful fish, plants found nowhere else in the United States and visitor favorites like pelicans, manatees and sea turtles.

The park is home to an incredible diversity of animals and plants including over 600 native fish, neo-tropical water birds and migratory habitat, as well as 20 threatened and endangered species including the Schaus’ swallowtail butterfly and Florida semaphore cactus, as well as the previously mentioned sea turtles and manatees.

It also contains the northern portion of the world’s third-largest coral reef system and the only living coral barrier reef in the continental United States, the Florida Reef. Thanks in part to this reef, Biscayne National Park is the final resting place for a string of shipwrecks along its Maritime Heritage Trail, a project brought to life with the support of The Alliance.

Winds, currents, storms and the park’s close proximity to one of the nation’s largest urban areas means that the entire park is in a constant state of flux — ever-changing in the face of new challenges posed by the constant cycle of building and destruction. And we are here to find solutions to those challenges.

Virtual Youth Programming

For the 2020-2021 school year, Biscayne National Park is launching an array of distance learning options available to educators, both parents and teachers.

The distance learning options will consist of live- interactive ranger presentations, hands-on activity video shorts and supplemental lesson plans. The array has been designed to provide various entry points for student participation, including partner virtual field trip broadcasts, social media, park website and educator-initiated programs.

This program delivers hands-on science and nature-based education to ensure children’s hands and senses do not go idle during this time of virtual learning. Connecting students directly to park scientists increases engagement and authenticity of presentations, while promoting STEM careers in under-represented populations.

Reefs of Opportunity

An extensive and thriving coral reef ecosystem was a key factor in the creation of Biscayne National Park.

Today, reef health in the park mirrors regional and global patterns of decline caused by multiple factors including thermal stress, disease, ocean acidification, overfishing, and coastal development.

Park coral populations are at a historic low. The remaining coral populations are depauperate and fragmented with greatly reduced diversity. For some species, so few colonies remain, that the chance of gametes encountering each other in the water column following spawning events is minimal. As a result, successful reproduction is unlikely, and the risk of functional extinction is high for several species.

We are actively supporting the park to bolster vanishing coral populations by building coral restoration capacity. Ongoing efforts include repair of reefs damaged by vessel grounding incidents, propagation of coral fragments within in-water nurseries, and propagation of coral larvae collected from spawning corals, and outplanting propagated corals to park reefs. The proposed project will create new coral communities, dubbed “reefs of opportunity,” using an oft-overlooked resource: “corals of opportunity.”

Approximately 2,000 loose corals collected from park reefs will be strategically reattached to reef substrate in multiple locations to build coral population size, density, and diversity.

Biscayne National Park offers award-winning, community-centered programming.

From hosting ceremonies that welcome new citizens to boat-based shoreline cleanups, to the educational mastery of the Hartzog Award-winning, volunteer-led Family Fun Fest program, we value the input, the dedication, and the participation of our local community.

Biscayne has a history of providing excellent programming that continues to grow and connect more visitors to the national park. This project would enable park staff to continue to offer valuable year-round interpretive programming for the diverse South Florida community with the goal of reaching new audiences.

The types of community events to be hosted include:

● Family Fun Fests on the second Sunday of each month, December-April ● Park After Dark events on the third Saturday of each month, December-March ● Citizenship ceremonies offered during the winter months ● Volunteer clean-up events ● Community artist showcases

Beach Clean-Ups for Sea Turtles

This project is dedicated to the conservation and well-being of sea turtles in Biscayne National Park through a two-step approach of 1) beach clean-ups to restore sea turtle nesting habitat and 2) daily patrols of beaches during the sea turtle nesting season to locate, protect, and monitor nests.

Beach clean-ups are necessary because the accumulation of debris poses a significant challenge to the threatened and endangered sea turtles that come ashore to nest within the park. Experience has shown that accumulated debris can cause a nesting sea turtle to abort her nesting activity and can also entrap (and ultimately kill) sea turtle hatchlings on their journey from nest to sea.

In the process of volunteering, beach clean-up participants get a unique, up-close-and­ personal experience in one of their national parks, including personalized interactions with park rangers who educate the participants on park resources and issues.

From 2008 through the present, 2,693 volunteers representing 192 different school/workgroups/organizations collected ~207,000 pounds of debris from sea turtle nesting beaches and other sensitive coastlines.

Read about Biscayne National Park’s record-breaking beach clean-up season here!

Mooring Buoys

Approximately 95 percent of Biscayne National Park’s 173,000 acres are marine.

The most popular activities in the park are boating and fishing, with the vast majority of park visitors being local South Florida boaters.

Seagrass beds and coral reefs provide critical areas for foraging, breeding, and refuge for recreationally and commercially important species as well as for several special status species. Many of these same areas are also popular places where boaters gather to anchor and enjoy fishing, snorkeling, and diving. Consistent visitation, high-use seasons, and special events such as lobster mini-season result in a shortage of mooring buoys for public use.

Improper anchoring in or near sensitive habitats can cause considerable damage to seagrass beds and coral reefs. Even anchors set in the sand have an anchor chain that may drag along the bottom, damaging these areas.

This project will increase the protection of natural and cultural resources from anchor drops and improper retrieval while enhancing visitor enjoyment and accessibility to these resources through the installation of mooring buoys in areas of frequent visitation along the reef tract.

Installation of these moorings will also increase consistency (and user-friendliness) with areas outside the park because there are existing mooring buoy systems to the north and to the south of the park in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

"The bay belongs to all of us, not a few." — Lloyd Miller, advocate for transforming Biscayne into a national park

Fowey Rocks Light

An Underwater Glimpse at Biscayne NP

Caesar Creek from Above

Youth Environmental Education

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A game fish called permit is the catch of the day in the shallows of Biscayne Bay National Park.

Florida's Pristine Parks: Biscayne National Park

Get more out of your Biscayne National Park visit by exploring must-see parks, preserves, and refuges nearby.

Biscayne National Park is the largest marine park in the National Park System. Since most of Biscayne’s 173,000 acres are in Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, traveling by boat is the best way to explore and appreciate the park. Currently, there isn’t an in-park concessionaire offering watercraft rentals or boat tours (a temporary service may be available by November 2015). To get out on the water, make advance reservations with an authorized park tour operator . If you don’t have access to a boat, land-based activities are available at the Dante Fascell Visitor Center and museum at Convoy Point (nine miles east of Homestead). Inside the center, take a virtual, multimedia voyage through the park, and examine corals, sponges, and other park specimens at the "touch table." Outdoors, participate in ranger-led programs such as Jetty Walks and Shoreline Snorkels and walk the short interpretive trail. Best Bet: Weekends from late November through late April, take the City of Homestead’s free, guided trolley tour from downtown Homestead to the Dante Fascell Visitor Center. The tour includes free parking in Homestead. Spend an hour or a full day at the park before catching a return trolley (check schedule for times).

When to Go: December to April is the busiest season and the best time for ranger-led programs, including the free and educational Family Fun Fest program on the second Sunday of each month. If you plan to explore in or on the water, the best time to visit will depend on your activity. Winter is windy, which is ideal for visiting islands but not the reefs. Summer is typically good for snorkeling.

Must Dos: Book a sightseeing or sailing cruise, boat rental, or snorkeling or scuba trip with an authorized park tour operator such as Miami Ocean Rafting . The Miami Ocean Rafting ecotour includes snorkeling (no experience required) in the marine park’s coral reefs. Check the park calendar before your trip to see what ranger-led program and other special events are available. Inside Tip: Bring food and drinks. There’s no restaurant at the Dante Fascell Visitor Center, but there are picnic areas overlooking Biscayne Bay.

Helpful Link: Biscayne National Park

Fun Fact: Biscayne National Park and the Stiltsville Trust jointly manage seven elevated shacks that appear to hover over shallow park waters off the southern tip of Key Biscayne. Built on pilings on the sandy flats, the little wooden houses are all that remain of the offshore Stiltsville community, a gambling hot spot and getaway for moneyed Miamians during the 1940s and '50s.

Nearby Nature

Snorkelers enjoy the clear, coral-rich waters of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

Photograph by Stephen Frink, Corbis

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary basically protects all of the waters surrounding the Florida Keys, excluding Dry Tortugas National Park. Within the sanctuary’s 2,900 square nautical miles, which includes the third largest living coral barrier reef system in the world, are opportunities to experience every imaginable water adventure, including sailing, snorkeling, and exploring the nine dive sites on the Shipwreck Trail . To preserve and protect the sanctuary’s coral and other fragile habitats, review the visitor regulations and choose only Blue Star Operators —such as A Deep Blue Dive in Key Colony Beach—for charters and dive trips. Inside Tip: June through September is the best time for snorkeling and diving in the sanctuary. The water is warmer and, generally, calmer, creating better underwater visibility.

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Castellow Hammock Park

Castellow Hammock Park is beloved by locals yet less frequented by tourists. The Miami-Dade County park is considered one of Florida’s premier locations for bird—and butterfly—watching. October through May brings the greatest influx of birds, including the brilliantly colored male painted bunting, which winters in South Florida. In addition to over 120 bird species, some 70 butterfly species have been spotted in the park. According to the Miami chapter of the North American Butterfly Association, Castellow Hammock is “considered by many to be, acre for acre, one of the top butterflying locations in Florida.” Butterflies can be seen year-round. Two notables to look for: malachite ( Siproeta stelenes ) and amethyst hairstreak ( Chlorostrymon maesites ). Bring close-focusing binoculars for the best views. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Inside Tip: After visiting the park, stop at nearby Knaus Berry Farm for a hot and gooey cinnamon roll. Open Monday to Saturday, November to mid-April; cash only.

Jonathan Dickinson State Park

From Miami, it’s about a two-hour drive north to Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Hobe Sound. The 11,500-acre site (once home to Camp Murphy, a top-secret World War II training school) harbors ancient cypress trees, sand pine scrub, pine flatwoods, mangroves, river swamps, and a section of the Loxahatchee River, Florida's first federally designated National Wild and Scenic River. Nearly as diverse as the habitats are the recreational options, which include hiking, biking, paddling, boat tours, ranger programs, and wildlife viewing. Rent bikes, canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, and motorboats on-site. Make campground reservations to tent or RV camp, or stay in a rustic cabin. Inside Tip: From late fall through early spring, guided horseback trail rides (or hand-led pony rides for those six and under) are available at the Eagles View equestrian area in the park. Fees vary and no reservations are accepted (opens at 9 a.m.).

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Miami Springs Power Boat Club at Stiltsville in Biscayne National Park

Guided Tours Main Page

If you would like to see Stiltsville, a collection of houses built on stilts in Biscayne Bay, but don’t have a boat, you can take a 2-hour tour operated by the Biscayne National Park Institute. The tour is held on Thursdays through Sundays throughout the year. You can get the current tour fee and make a reservation on Biscayne National Park Institute’s Stiltsville Guided Tour web page.

Stiltsville is located in the northernmost section of Biscayne National Park, much closer to Miami than to the Dante Fascell Visitor Center in Homestead. Because of this, the tour leaves from the Dinner Key Marina in Coconut Grove, which is 30 miles north of the Visitor Center. A drive between the two takes roughly an hour.

Before arriving at Stiltsville, the tour boat swings past the Cape Florida Lighthouse on Key Biscayne. The first lighthouse on this spot was built in 1825, and it had a very interesting history. In 1836, Seminole Indians attacked the lighthouse, setting it on fire with two people inside. One man was killed by a bullet, and the second, assistant lighthouse keeper John Thompson, decided to go out in a blaze of glory by dropping a keg of gunpowder from the balcony onto the fire below, hoping to kill as many Indians as possible and ending his own life, which at the time surely looked like it was going to be a death by fire. Instead, the explosion somewhat lessened the strength of the fire. The Indians assumed the two men were dead, and after ransacking the lightkeeper’s house, took off. A Navy ship heard the explosion and eventually rescued Thompson. The lighthouse was beyond repair, but due to continued fighting with the Seminoles, it wasn’t rebuilt until 1847. This is the lighthouse standing today, though it was made taller in 1855: it is 95 feet tall.

Cape Florida Lighthouse on Key Biscayne

There are six houses left standing in Stiltsville. A seventh, the Leshaw House, burned down on January 11, 2021, which was just two weeks before I did the tour. The current rule per a 2003 agreement with the National Park Service is that if a structure is damaged by more than 50 percent, it must be torn down and all remnants removed at the owner’s expense. However, the damage assessment is not limited to the house itself, but to the entire structure, including the pylons that the house was built on. Thus, if the pylon structure makes up more than 50 percent of the total structure and it can still support a house, it is possible that a new house can be built. At the time of this writing (March 2021), no decision on the fate of the Leshaw House has been made.

Remains of the Leshaw House in Stiltsville, Biscayne National Park

It is illegal to set foot on any of the Stiltsville structures without a permit, so the tour boat circles each of the remaining six houses while the tour guide gives the history of Stiltsville. Even so, it’s a pretty cool tour if you like history. Of all the tours I took while at Biscayne National Park, this is the only one that was fully booked (20 participants). This could be due to the draw of seeing a unique destination like Stiltsville, or it could be just because the tour is not offered daily. Regardless, if you are interested, be sure to book your tour as far in advance as possible.

For more photos and information about the history of Stiltsville, see the Stiltsville web page here on National Park Planner.

Bay Chateau at Stiltsville in Biscayne National Park

A-Frame House at Stiltsville in Biscayne National Park

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St. Lucie Inlet Martin County

The St. Lucie Inlet separates the barrier islands of Hutchinson Island and Jupiter Island. The inlet connects several lagoon and estuarine tidal systems to the Atlantic Ocean and is approximately half a mile from the reef. To the south, you’ll find St. Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park , a barrier island and 3,500 acres of marine waters that fall within the park boundary. This also includes an impressive Anastasia worm reef that extends nearly five miles along the coast.

This area of the reef is best reached by boat, and ranges from depths of five to 35 feet, making it a haven for snorkelers, divers and fishers looking to encounter the amazing diversity of species found on the reef. Visitors that snorkel and dive here may encounter spotted eagle rays, grouper, angelfish and nurse sharks, to name a few. Fishers can find a bounty of Spanish mackerel, yellowtail snapper and snook. St. Lucie Inlet is also part of the Great Florida Birding Trail and provides excellent opportunities to spot shorebirds such as great blue herons, brown pelicans, white ibis and the purple plover.

Kristin Jacobs Coral Reef Ecosystem Conservation Area

The Southeast Florida Coral Reef Ecosystem Conservation Area (Coral ECA) covers approximately 105 miles of Florida’s Coral Reef from the northern boundary of Biscayne National Park in Miami-Dade County to the St. Lucie Inlet in Martin County. This area is managed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP).

These reefs support a rich and diverse assemblage of stony corals, soft corals, macroalgae, sponges, fishes.

Through its supporting membership on the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force and the U.S. All Islands Committee , DEP’s Coral Reef Conservation Program leads the implementation of the Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative (SEFCRI), a team of 68 interagency and non-agency stakeholders contributing to the conservation and management of coral reefs.

The Coral Reef Conservation Program is also charged with coordinating responses to vessel groundings and anchor damage incidents in southeast Florida state waters and developing strategies to prevent coral reef injuries, under the Coral Reef Protection Act .

Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserves

Bordering the cultural, economic and financial center of South Florida in Miami, Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserves (Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve and Biscayne Bay-Cape Florida Aquatic Preserve) cover less than 70,000 submerged acres of the largest estuary on the coast of southeast Florida.

Established by the Florida Legislature in 1974 and 1975 and managed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, this ecologically significant area provides habitat for a wide variety of wildlife, including several imperiled species such as the Florida manatee, smalltooth sawfish, American crocodile and Johnson’s seagrass.

Johnson’s seagrass is the first and only marine plant to be listed as ‘threatened’ on the Endangered Species List and lives in northern Biscayne Bay.

Many fish species found on Florida’s Coral Reef spend their juvenile life stages among the mangroves within the Aquatic Preserves. Mangroves serve as nurseries for fish that are caught recreationally and commercially.

Four Florida State Parks offer access to the preserves, including The Barnacle Historic State Park , Bill Baggs Camp Florida State Park , John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and Oleta River State Park .

Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserves is also part of the Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail , a 1,515-mile trail that encompasses every coastal Florida habitat type.

Biscayne National Park

Biscayne National Park can be spotted right from downtown Miami and hosts its own bustling underwater city full of marine life along Florida’s Coral Reef. As the United States’ largest marine park, the National Park Service manages and conserves nearly 173,000 acres — which are 95% underwater. Most park visitors come by boat, and can find a medley of colorful sights and exhilarating movement on the reef. Here, elkhorn corals, sea fans and brain corals create living coral community centers for sea turtles, nurse sharks and over 500 species of reef fish that are diverse in color, shape, size and behavior.

Visitors to Biscayne National Park can discover these wonders in a variety of ways; including fishing, boating, diving, snorkeling, paddling and more.  Guided tours offer visitors an opportunity to explore the reef as well as the coral that inhabit the remains of nearly a century of shipwrecks along the Maritime Heritage Trail .

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is renowned as the country’s first undersea park, encompassing 70 nautical square miles of coral reef, seagrass beds and mangrove swamps managed by DEP’s Florida Park Service. The park, located in Key Largo, was established to protect and preserve a portion of Florida’s Coral Reef, the only living coral barrier reef in the continental United States. The park features a great variety of tropical plants and animals, shore birds and marine life.

Visitors to the park can discover Florida’s Coral Reef by guided glassbottom boat tours which offer a glimpse into this fascinating undersea world from the comfort of the park’s flagship Spirit of Pennekamp . For the more adventurous, guided and unguided snorkeling and SCUBA diving experiences are available to visit the creatures who call the reef home. All tours offered by the park’s official concessionaire operation have received a Blue Star designation for promoting responsible and sustainable practices to support a healthy reef.

Take a virtual tour of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, which protects 3,800 square miles of highly diverse and economically valuable marine habitats, is one of fourteen marine protected areas that comprise the National Marine Sanctuary System. Its boundaries encompass a large portion of Florida’s Coral Reef, 1.4 million acres of seagrass, and 1,800 miles of mangrove shoreline supporting more than 6,000 species of marine life. Designated in 1990, the sanctuary is co-managed by NOAA and the State of Florida.

World-class diving, fishing, boating and other water-related activities draw millions of visitors annually. Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary provides cutting edge scientific research and conservation efforts, innovative education and citizen science programs, and volunteer opportunities. More than 75,000 people annually visit its Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center, a 6,000 square foot interactive learning space for all ages.

Dry Tortugas National Park

At the southernmost point of Florida’s Coral Reef, approximately 70 miles west of Key West, Dry Tortugas National Park is 100 square miles of open, picturesque blue waters, seven small islands and the historic Fort Jefferson .

One of the park’s greatest and most magnificent treasures lies below the water’s surface – Florida’s Coral Reef.  Among the most vibrant in the Florida Keys, the park’s corals are abundant, representing about 30 species, including elkhorn, staghorn, and pillar coral, all of which are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act .

This rich landscape of living corals furnishes a unique habitat for a variety of colorful marine life, including parrot fish, angel fish, triggerfish, damselfish and others.

On the edge of the swim area at Garden Key , the second largest island in the Dry Tortugas, visitors can glimpse massive, more than 250-year-old coral colonies and excellent examples of both stony and soft corals.

Located just a few yards off the western shore of Loggerhead Key , the park’s largest island, is Little Africa Reef. This remarkable coral formation is aptly named because the corals collectively resemble the continent of Africa when viewed from the sky.

Visitors to Dry Tortugas National Park can experience Florida’s Coral Reef by snorkeling, diving , boating or guided tour .

How To Visit Biscayne National Park: The Best Tours and What To Know About Visiting

November 6, 2023.

Biscayne National Park is a Florida national park that is 95% water! The South Florida park protects 270 square miles around the northernmost group of living coral reefs in the United States. Biscayne was officially designated a national park in 1980, but the fight to protect this area began much earlier. Don't miss this park on a Florida National Park trip!

In the 1950’s, Americans were taking more vacations to Florida and the Keys. A vision to dredge a canal to the ocean for a new city and a major seaport was forming in the area that Biscayne occupies today.

Luckily, a small group that disagreed with this plan began to fight for public support to protect this area. Biscayne was declared a national monument by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968 and was designated a national park about a decade later.

Entry to Biscayne National Park is free but there is little to do without purchasing a guided tour. This post covers things to do in Biscayne National Park, when to visit and more things to know about visiting this underrated national park.

This blog is based on my experiences visiting the Everglades in March 2022, but has been updated for 2024.

Table of Contents

How to get to biscayne national park, when to visit biscayne national park, camping in biscayne national park, hotels in homestead, take a boat tour in biscayne, other tour companies that operate in biscayne, my experience on the snorkel and paddle eco adventure tour, dante fascell visitor center, nearby biscayne national park, final thoughts.

Biscayne National Park is located on the South Florida coast less than an hour’s drive from Miami. Many of the water activities and tours will begin at the Dante Fascell Visitor Center, located a 45 minute drive away from the Miami international airport.

You can also fly into the Fort Lauderdale Airport, which is a little over an hour from Biscayne National Park.

There is really no bad time to visit Biscayne National Park. If you’ll be swimming, the weather may be nicest to visit during the summer when the temperatures are warm. If you want to camp on one of the islands, you may want to avoid the heat of the summer. Also keep in mind that hurricanes are most likely to occur between August and September.

I visited in March and had very nice weather!

Where to Stay When Visiting Biscayne National Park

If you have a boat or arrange transportation by boat, there are two islands in Biscayne that allow camping. The more popular option in Boca Chita Key. This island has a lighthouse, picnic tables and grills. There are toilets but no drinking water or showers available.

The other island is Elliott Key, which is bigger. Elliott Key has some hiking trails along with cold water showers and drinking water.

If you would like to stay in a hotel, the closest area is Homestead. Homestead is 20 minutes from the Dante Fascell Visitor Center. This is also a great base for exploring Everglades National Park during your trip!

A couple of mid range options with good reviews in Homestead are the Uptown Suites Extended Stay , Hilton Garden Inn and the Hampton Inn & Suites .

The Best Things To Do in Biscayne National Park

In my opinion, a guided tour is definitely the best way to see Biscayne National Park!

There are a handful of tour operators authorized to give tours inside of the park, but Biscayne National Park Institute is the only non-profit. The institute offers a variety of tours, including a historic boat tour, snorkeling, paddle boarding, kayaking, sailing and scuba diving.

Tour Options with the Biscayne National Park Institute:

• Heritage of Biscayne Cruise: Covers the history of the park and takes about 3.5 hours. A popular option if you don’t want to get wet.
• Small Group Snorkel Experience: Includes two snorkel locations and takes about 3.5 hours.
• Snorkel and Paddle Eco Adventure: Includes snorkeling, paddle boarding and a stop on Boca Chita and takes about 6 hours. This is the tour that I did.
• Jones Lagoon Eco Adventure Paddle: Paddle boarding in the Jones Lagoon area for 3.5 hours.
• Paddle the Mangroves and Seagrass Meadows: 1.5 hours of kayaking.
• Scuba Eco Adventure: 6 hours of scuba diving.
• Sail, Paddle, Snorkel and Island Visit: This tour includes a mix of snorkeling, paddling and a visit to Boca Chita on a sailboat. It takes 6 hours and the snorkeling will be in the calmer waters around mangrove trees.

In addition to Biscayne National Park Institute, there are a few other tour operators authorized inside of the park. Wind Addict Florida and South Florida Kiteboarding offer kiteboarding lessons and Explore Miami, Ocean Force Adventures and Miami Sailing Charters offer different options for sightseeing.

The Snorkel and Paddle Eco Adventure is a great option to spend the day seeing a variety of the park. This tour includes both paddling and snorkeling, so you’ll get to see different types of scenery and have a lot of adventure along the way.

What To Expect:

• This is a small group tour! The group for my tour was only 6 people.
• At this writing, this tour costs $179 per person.
• Snorkel and paddling gear is included but lunch is not.

What to Bring:

• A packed lunch
• Reef Friendly Sunscreen
• Bathing suit

The tour began with a long boat ride out from the Dante Fascell Visitor Center to our snorkeling location. On the way, our guide told us about the history of the park and the surrounding area.

From the boat, you’ll be able to see the Turkey Point Nuclear Powerplant. One interesting thing about the powerplant is that the saltwater cooling ponds and adjacent freshwater ponds for the powerplant form an ideal environment for endangered crocodiles. The crocodiles are monitored here and this has been a crucial area for increasing the population of crocodiles in Florida.

There are far less crocodiles than alligators than Florida. Crocodiles are larger and have more of a V-shaped snout.

Unfortunately, it was too windy on the day of my tour to go to the Atlantic side and snorkel among the coral reefs. Typically on a nice weather day, you would visit the coral reefs. Instead, we snorkeled alongside mangrove trees at the keyhole of Sands Key. We saw schools of fish, plantlife on the mangrove roots and even some lobsters under a rock ledge.

After snorkeling, we headed to Boca Chita Island to eat our packed lunches. I was a bit surprised to see so many boats docked up on the island playing music, cooking and having a good time. (It honestly took away from the peacefulness of the national park). On the island, our guide unlocked the lighthouse for us and we climbed to the top for an amazing view of the island and the aqua-colored water.

The lighthouse on Boca Chita, along with the other structures on the island, were built by Mark Honeywell in the 1930’s. It was built as their holiday resort and was meant to be used for parties. The lighthouse actually faces inland instead of at the sea, because it was built to impress guests instead of providing navigation.

In addition to the lighthouse, the island had restrooms, a chapel and picnic tables. We didn’t have much time to explore any other part of the island. Today, all of the buildings on Boca Chita are leftover from the 1930’s, except for the restroom facility.

The best part of Boca Chita was seeing some dolphins swimming around the bay. There were two that were jumping out of the water and swimming around almost the entire time we were there.

The third part of the tour was paddle boarding in the peaceful waters of Jones Lagoon. On the way, we passed by Adams Key, another island in the park that visitors can explore for day use. There are picnic tables and a short trail on the island.

When we reached Jones Lagoon, we were surrounded by beautiful mangrove trees. Each guest had the option of SUP paddles or kayaking paddles as we made our way through mangrove tunnels. While paddling, we saw nurse sharks, jellyfish and stingrays. It was a beautiful area to paddle and explore.

Overall, I had an amazing day trip with the Biscayne National Park Institute and learned a lot about the history and geology from my guide. I highly recommend an experience like this for your day trip to Biscayne National Park.

Be sure to explore the Dante Fascell Visitor Center before or after your tour. There is a museum area upstairs where you can learn about the wildlife and ecosystems in the park. There are also some educational films and a touch area where you can feel things like sea sponges and corals.

Portions of Everglades National Park are located less than an hour from Biscayne. On your way to the Everglades, be sure to stop at the Robert is Here Fruit Stand for exotic fruit or a milkshake! For more information on visiting the Everglades, read my Everglades itinerary .

Biscayne is also very close to the start of the Florida Overseas Highway, which leads to Key West. If you are planning a Florida Keys road trip , I have a 5 day itinerary that includes both the Upper Keys and Key West.

I hope this guide helps you plan a perfect trip to Biscayne National Park! This South Florida national park makes for a fantastic day trip from Miami or a great addition to a Florida National Park trip. I hope you can get out on the water and experience the beauty of the park!

For More Florida Travel Guides, check out these guides:

• The Perfect Everglades National Park Itinerary
• 5 Things To Do in Titusville, FL
• An Epic Florida Keys Road Trip
• Things To Do in Crystal River, FL
• The Best Things To Do in Orlando Besides Disney

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Explore Biscayne National Park under sail with up to six passengers. Take the helm or watch the clear waters glide by. Full-day trips also walk the trail on Boca Chita or Adams Key, paddle protected waters, snorkel the fringes of the mangroves, and marvel at the underwater forests that are as enchanting and haunting as those in any fairy tale.

Camping and paddling trips stay on Adams Key and sail the bay. Hiking on Elliott Key and Exploring the dramatic history of the area while watching for Sharks, Dolphins, Manatees and Turtles

When the cold fronts make exploring the Atlantic Ocean reefs impossible, we still enjoy the calm waters of the bay. Your captain explains why mangroves, grasses, and hardpan are all vital to the health of the local ecosystems. We want to share the beauty this area and show how we can be good stewards of the National Park, preserving its unique habitats for generations to come. And most importantly, we can have a blast doing it! Explore our sailing tours in Biscayne National Park below!

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Sail from the mainland to snorkel and paddle in the clear waters of the park on a full-day adventure!

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Boat tours in biscayne national park.

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• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

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• JetSki One hour with free Pontoon Sightseeing tour of South Beach