Things to Do on Key Biscayne: How to Explore Bill Baggs State Park

You made it to Florida! After a long flight or drive, get ready to visit a spectacular park at the southern end of Key Biscayne. One of the best things to do on Key Biscayne is to check out Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park.

If you have a half day to spend here, that is more than enough time to explore the park, visit the lighthouse, hike, or lounge around on a beautiful Florida beach. Alternatively, Crandon Beach Park is also located on Key Biscayne and is another great place to visit.

Be sure to check out our full itinerary for Florida National Parks for more fun!

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Need to Know Info

• Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park is $8.00 per vehicle and covers up to 8 people.
  • This is a very popular park to visit and can be very full on weekends and holidays. If you can plan to check it out, please know that the park does close when capacity is full, and staff will not reopen the park for entry until at least 2 hours after!
  • The park is open from 8 am to sundown, 365 days a year.
  • To reserve a pass online, click here.
• At Bill Baggs State Park, you will have many options, including renting bikes, going fishing, hiking on the trails, taking a lighthouse tour, and lounging on the beach.
  • As of 2025, the lighthouse is open for tours! With tours taking place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., be sure to check it out. Note, it is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
• Crandon Park Beach is also located on Key Biscayne and is another great place to visit!
  • Parking is $10.00 on weekends and $7.00 on weekdays.

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Weather and Safety on Key Biscayne

• Cell phone coverage is great here.
• Carry plenty of snacks and water. There are refill stations around Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park.
• Be aware of the weather at all times. Check the forecast before you head out so you aren’t surprised by a pop-up thunderstorm.
• Bring plenty of sunscreen and don’t forget to make sure it’s reef-safe!
• Don’t forget to pack bug spray as well – mosquitoes and other insects are present in Florida.
• Pets should be leashed at all times in both parks.

Animal Safety on Key Biscayne

• Key Biscayne is home to many animals, including seagulls, pelicans, raccoons, fish, migratory birds, and the occasional crocodile. Don’t worry, they say the crocs here are shy!

➡️ Read next: Ultimate Hikes in Everglades National Park that you can’t miss.

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park

One of the best things to do on Key Biscayne is to spend some time at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park. After our flight to Florida, this was a perfect afternoon stop to spend some time before we headed south toward Homestead. Spend an afternoon here hiking, exploring the lighthouse, or relaxing on the beautiful beach.

Robin’s Birding Trail – 3.5 miles – easy, out and back

First, get out and stretch your legs along the Robin’s Birding Trail. This is a very flat, out-and-back trail that will take you through old Floridian forests and along the coast of Key Biscayne. The trail starts at the southern end of the park and heads north through the woods.

Eventually, you will reach a clearing and arrive near No Name Harbor. Here, you’ll find the Boater’s Grill. This is a great place to stop for a refreshing beverage. Shortly after this point, you can explore 2 spur trails that visit the wetlands. Head back the way you came to the trailhead and then head to the beach!

Cape Florida Beach and Lighthouse

The beach at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park is noted to be one of the best in the United States! Walk on the white sand or stroll down toward the lighthouse. Relax and go for a swim in the Atlantic, but swim at your own risk. Umbrellas and chairs are available for rent here as well, so get comfortable and relax.

Further, head down the beach toward the lighthouse and get some scenic pictures of the oldest structure in Miami-Dade County. As of 2025, the lighthouse is currently open for tours. From the top, you can see Biscayne National Park and Stiltsville off in the distance.

You can tour the lighthouse five days a week, with tours taking place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The tower is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Guests must be 42 inches tall and have to climb independently. Infants are welcome in a harness.

☀️ If you are looking for something else fun to do in Miami, check out the options from Viator!

Crandon Park

One of the other things to do on Key Biscayne is to visit Crandon Park. This is a great public park and beach with idyllic coconut trees along the sand, providing a picturesque scene. Just don’t let a coconut fall on your head! You will need to pay for parking at this location. It’s $10.00 on weekends and $7.00 on weekdays.

Here at the northern end of the park, you will also find the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center. Multiple trails wind through Bear Cut Preserve. Hike with a ranger through hardwood hammocks, mangrove forests, and coastal habitats.

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Where To Stay

🌴 Check out some of the top-rated places to stay in and around Miami!

• Hampton Inn & Suites Miami/Brickell-Downtown – our top pick! Best seller and breakfast included. This hotel is also within walking distance to 30 of the best restaurants, cafes, and bars. Compare rates on Expedia or Booking.com.
• Brickell Arch, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Miami – top-rated with bay views and modern facilities. Enjoy a rooftop pool, on-site dining, spa, and fitness center. Book your room on Expedia.
• The Vagabond Hotel – 42 Mid-Century Modern rooms wrapped around a lush courtyard where their iconic mermaid mosaic swimming pool is located, plus an onsite bar. Reserve your stay now on Expedia or Booking.com.
• The Elser Hotel Miami – overlooking Biscayne Bay with amazing views. A beautiful 49-story tower featuring floor-to-ceiling windows in all residences. Book your stay now on Expedia or Booking.com.

Final Thoughts

Key Biscayne is a great place to visit! We only had an afternoon to spend on Key Biscayne, so we spent most of our time at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park. The trails were very nice, and the lighthouse and beach scenery were unmatched for being so close to a densely urban area such as Miami!

We tried to stop at nearby Crandon Park, but the parking situation was a bit full, so we continued on our journey south to Homestead in order to be closer to Everglades National Park.