Biscayne National Park Overview
Biscayne National Park protects about 172,971 acres of turquoise water, mangrove shoreline, coral reefs, seagrass beds, shipwrecks, and islands at the northern end of the Florida Keys. The park recorded 486,567 recreation visits in 2025, with most trips centered on boat tours, paddling, snorkeling, diving, fishing, and island visits. More than ninety percent of the park is water, so access and weather shape the experience more than road mileage.
The mainland Dante Fascell Visitor Center is the easiest starting point, but most of the park's signature places require a boat. Boca Chita Key, Elliott Key, Adams Key, Jones Lagoon, and the Maritime Heritage Trail each show a different side of Biscayne, from clear reef water and mangrove habitat to historic structures and quiet island shorelines.
Biscayne was first protected as Biscayne National Monument in 1968 and became a national park on June 28, 1980. The park's history includes Indigenous presence, shipwrecks, farming communities, island development proposals, and conservation efforts that protected a rare marine landscape just south of Miami.
Boating, Paddling, and Island Walks in Biscayne National Park
Biscayne is not a traditional hiking park, but visitors can walk short island trails on Boca Chita Key, Elliott Key, and Adams Key when transportation is available. NPS Boat Tours are the easiest way to reach many park destinations, while paddling routes through mangroves and shallow bays can be excellent in calm weather.
There is no backpacking in the usual sense, but overnight stays are possible at boat-accessible campgrounds on Boca Chita Key and Elliott Key. Campers need to bring water, food, sun protection, insect protection, and a plan for changing weather and marine conditions.
Things to Do in Biscayne National Park
The Dante Fascell Visitor Center is the best first stop before choosing boat tours, snorkeling, paddling, fishing, or island visits. The Things To Do page and Boat Tours information are especially important because most of Biscayne National Park is reached by water.
Snorkeling and diving are signature Biscayne activities, especially around coral reefs, clear shallows, and the Maritime Heritage Trail shipwreck sites. Weather, water clarity, and tour availability can change the experience quickly, so flexible planning helps.
Kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding work well in calm conditions around mangrove shorelines, Jones Lagoon, and protected bays. Fishing is also popular in park waters, but visitors need to follow current Florida and NPS regulations.
Island walks on Boca Chita Key, Elliott Key, and Adams Key add short land-based exploring to a mostly marine park. Camping is available on Boca Chita Key and Elliott Key for visitors who can arrange boat access and bring needed supplies.
Biscayne National Park Camping and Lodging
NPS Camping information covers Boca Chita Key and Elliott Key. Sites are reached by boat, and services are limited, so visitors need to plan water, food, and weather windows carefully.
Official Biscayne National Park Resources
Use the official NPS page, park map, and current alerts when planning a trip to Biscayne National Park.