What to do In Biscayne National Park with Kids
/
Charletta at Boca Chita Island in Biscayne National Park
This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.
This awesome walking trail takes you down to the water through the mangroves. It’s located at the visitor center.
There are so many things to do in Biscayne National park which is why I would rank this park in my top 3 favorite National Parks to visit with Kids..The park’s unique location provides many opportunities to explore seemingly untouched pristine land and ocean. From camping at Elliot Key to snorkeling the Florida Reef to climbing a light house on Boca Chita Key; Biscayne National Park cannot be missed. Biscayne National Park is visited by approximately 446,961 visitors annually. The National Park is 172,924 acres, but 95% of that land lies underwater.
Every visitor to Biscayne National Park must stop at the Dante Fascell visitor center. This is the only visitor center in the park and it is open every single day from 9:00 AM -5:00 PM. There you will be greeted by a staff of Park Rangers who can help you plan your day to day activities, notify you of imminent weather or share info about the park.
When to Visit Biscayne National Park:
The best time to visit Biscayne National Park is from mid-December to mid-April. This is Florida’s dry season.
The summer is the rainiest season within the park. However, this time of year also provides warmer weather and calmer seas which is ideal for snorkeling.
We were in Biscayne National Park in December. It was rainy in the morning and by afternoon it had cleared to be sunny. The temperature was a mild 68-70 degrees F.
How to Get to Biscayne National Park:
Biscayne is amazing and it’s convenient to get to. To give you an idea of how long it will take to get the park, here are a few examples.
Obligatory national park sign photo! this one is right at the entrance and biscayne national park is FREE to enter and free to park at!
Miami to Biscayne National Park is 55 minutes.
Tampa to Biscayne National Park is 4 and a half hours.
Orlando to Biscayne National Park is 4 hours and 5 minutes.
Everglades National Park to Biscayne National Park is 9 hours and 45 minutes.
Jacksonville to Biscayne National Park is 5 hours 30 minutes.
Naples to Biscayne National Park is 2 hours 20 minutes.
As you can see, getting to this amazing National Park can be quick and convenient.
READ NEXT: Big Bend National Park with Kids
Where to Stay in Biscayne National Park:
Biscayne National Park Camping:
Boca Chit Key: This is a tent only camp experience on the island. It is first come, first serve and costs $25 per night. This camp is accessible only by boat. Docking is allowed only at the cleated bulkhead spots. There is no drinking water or electricity, sales facilities, sinks or showers. There is a restroom in the center of the Island.
Elliott Key: This is a tent only camp experience on the island. It is first come, first serve and costs $25 per night. This camp is accessible only by boat. Docking is allowed only at the cleated bulkhead spots. There are showers that are available. Fresh drinking water is located outside the building. It is recommended that you bring your own fresh water, just in case the generator breaks down.
The kids finding amazing seashells and sea life at boca chita island
Where to stay Outside Biscayne National Park:
There are no resorts or hotels in Biscayne National Park, but there are several places to choose from outside the park.
Our Campervan parked overnight at schnebly redland’s winery!
Homestead, Florida
Schnebly Redland’s Winery: This is where we stayed for 2 nights in our RV. We used Harvests Hosts to snag this spot FOR FREE! That’s right! We parked in the Vineyard’s parking lot for 2 nights for free with the Harvest Hosts. This particular Harvest Host is both a Winery AND a Brewery! You can also stay for free with Harvest Host! It’s an annual memebership ($79 per year) and you can choose from over 900 breweries, farms, vineyards, or museums to park at for free in your self contained camper or RV. You can get $5 off your annual memebrship HERE.
Hotels Near Biscayne National Park: If you don’t want to camp or stay in an Airbnb - there are a few hotels in Homestead, Florida and endless hotels in the Miami area. Use the map below to find the perfect hotel near Biscayne National park that fits your budget and comfort! Don’t forget that Everglades National Park is just on the other side of Homestead, Florida - so if you have the time, consider exploring both parks!
Here are the Top 7 things to do in Biscayne National Park with Kids:
1) Hike the trail along Convoy Point: This trail starts right at the Dante Fascell visitor center. At first it walks you along a nicely paved path toward a small bridge. We saw several people fishing from this bridge. Once across, you get onto Convoy Point and are able to walk the length of it all the way down to a wading pool at the tip. This walk is absolutely fantastic. You are walking the majority of the time under a canopy of mangroves with the ocean water lapping up on either side of you. The kids didn’t complain about the walk once. This is a perfect activity if you’re looking for things to do with toddlers in Biscayne National Park! There are so many unique spots along the trail, so don’t be surprised if you’re wanting to stop for photos along the way!
at the end of the trail, you’re rewarded with this view of the bay and you’re in the shade of a magnificent mangrove!
****Any boat tour or excursion you take inside the National Park, please be SURE they are authorized to operate in the National Park. This keeps our National Parks clean and safe for future generations to enjoy them.
The family on Boca Chita Key after our boat tour took us across Biscayne Bay!
2) Boat Trip to Boca Chita Key: We chose this tour with Biscayne National Park Institute since our kids are a little bit too young for snorkeling. We LOVED it so much. I highly recommend this tour for anyone with smaller kids who can not appreciate snorkeling! Each guided tour lasts approximately three hours and includes opportunities to explore and learn about popular and scenic Boca Chita Key and Biscayne Bay. Climb the lighthouse (must be at least 42″ tall), explore the island, and hike the trail (mosquitoes are prevalent on the trails in the summer). The staff was extremely friendly and engages you with the history of the park and why mangroves, seagrasses, and hardbottom habitats are all vital to the health of the local ecosystems. .
READ NEXT: How to Pack the Perfect Beach Bag with Kids
Jimmy snorkeling the clear waters around Boca Chita Key
3) Snorkeling: You can snorkel on your own in Biscayne Bay. Feel free to enter the water near the Visitor Center and have a swim around searching for wild life and unique shells. Or you can hop on the Boca Chita Key boat tour mentioned above and snorkel your way around this amazing clear water. A third option is to hop on a 6-hour Sail, Paddle, Snorkel and Island tour or the 6-hour Snorkel and Paddle Eco-Adventure with Biscayne National Park Institute to see the Park from under and above the water! On either of these tours you might paddle Jones Lagoon looking for the rare Roseate Spoonbill, snorkel a shipwreck on the Maritime Heritage Trail, or watch the amazing diversity of life on the coral reef. Keep a lookout for the dolphins, rays, and sea turtles that live here! These two snorkel tours are reccomended for families with older children who are able to swim well on their own and able to stand on their own paddle board.
The Chisos Basin is other worldy. This photo was taken down in the tent camping area.
4) Fishing: Can you fish in Biscayne National Park? YES! With 95% of Biscayne National Park being underwater, it’s no wonder that fishing would be a popular thing to do. We saw many fishermen and women lining the pier and out on boats fishing throughout the park. One couple even caught a Baracuda and let my kids see it before they put it back in the Bay. Biscyane National Park closely adheres to fishing and lobstering regulations set by the State of Florida. Check HERE for the salt water regulations and HERE for the lobstering regulations. I strongly reccomend taking the National Park’s Fisheries Awareness Class prior to fishing inside the National Park.
The Baracuda a couple caught in biscayne national park
5) Paddle Boarding: There is a launch ramp right in the parking lot of the Visitor Center in Biscayne National Park. People are constantly launching their kayaks, canoes and paddle boards here. If you have your own, feel free to bring it and paddle around the gorgeous Biscayne Bay. If you don’t own a paddle board, consider hopping on a 6-hour Sail, Paddle, Snorkel and Island tour or the 6-hour Snorkel and Paddle Eco-Adventure with Biscayne National Park Institute to see the Park from under and above the water! On either of these tours you might paddle Jones Lagoon looking for the rare Roseate Spoonbill, snorkel a shipwreck on the Maritime Heritage Trail, or watch the amazing diversity of life on the coral reef. Keep a lookout for the dolphins, rays, and sea turtles that live here! The two snorkel tours are reccomended for families with older children who are able to swim well on their own and able to stand on their own paddle board. If you want a shorter, 4-hour tour, you can join the Jones Lagoon Ec-Adventure-Paddle Clear Waters Tour where youll be guided paddle though the calm clear waters of Jones Lagoon. Here you can look for baby sharks, turtles, and the rare Roseate Spoonbill. Paddle over water that’s just inches deep and surrounded by amazing marine life. ***THIS TOUR IS FOR CHILDREN AGES 12 and OLDER.
You never know what you’ll find in the waters of biscayne bay — in the bay, someone found this giant shell!
Who knows what you’ll find in the shallows around the mangrove trees — we found this amazing hermit crab!
6) Kayak or Canoe: Canoeing and kayaking are great ways to explore the mangrove fringed shorelines and shallow bay waters of the park. Bring your own craft and paddle around or even across the gorgeous 7-mile expanse of Biscayne Bay. Across the bay you will find Elliot Key and Boca Chita Key. Using the islands as a base camp will allow exploration of the lagoons, creeks and channels south of Caesar Creek. They Keys have many spots that are too shallow for motorized vessels, so you' are likely to have these places to yourself on a kayak or canoe!
Kayaking/Canoe Protips from the NPS:
“Jones Lagoon is a great place to see rays, upside-down jellyfish, schools of fish and wading birds. Be careful not to disturb the bird rookery (stay at least 300 feet away).
Hurricane Creek offers excellent snorkeling beneath mangrove roots to observe sea squirts, crabs, anemones and other marine life.”
Here are the Biscayne National Park paddling trail guides.
7) Explore the Art Gallery: You read that right, Dante Fascell Visitor Center has an art gallery. The gallery opened in 2002 and provides space for artists who are inspired by Biscayne National Park and South Florida can show their work! In the past they have hosted artists who sculpt, create ceramics, use watercolors, and photography. Check out this gallery on your visit to Biscayne!
Biscayne National Park is the perfect destination for families. The different island, insane amount of wildlife, gorgeous trails, clear blue water and unreal shelling makes this a fit for entire family. No matter whether you camp out, stay nearby in Miami or Homestead, Biscayne is an easy trip for an unforgettable adventure. If you’re headed further south to the Florida Keys, check out these amazing restaurants in Key Largo! No matter which Island you choose to spend your days exploring, you will love this place. The tropical, slow-paced feel of Biscayne National park has a way of getting into your soul and leaving you itching to get back.
PIN ME:
AMAZON AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE:
There are links on this site that can be defined as “affiliate links”. This means that I may receive a small commission (at no cost to you) if you subscribe or purchase something through the links provided.
Big Brave Nomad is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, audible.com, and any other website that may be affiliated with Amazon Service LLC Associates Program.
