Explore Nature in the Parks & Gardens of Miami

Enjoy Greater Miami & Miami Beach’s natural beauty at a state or national park. Then discover native species of plants and animals at a local park or botanical garden.

Miami’s National Parks

Greater Miami & Miami Beach offers access to two incredible national parks and a national preserve, making it the best choice for exploring Florida’s natural wonders.

Everglades National Park

Everglades National Park's 1.5 million acres both protect and allow people to experience the fragile ecosystems of its vast wetland, one of the largest in the world. The interconnected network of water and earth creates nine distinct types of ecosystems that provide valuable habitats for many species of plants and animals. More than 360 bird species can be found there as well as Florida panthers, American alligators and crocodiles. The park has information centers, a large network of hiking and biking trails plus campgrounds. It also offers a wide range of watersports and boating activities. The main entrance is in Homestead, near the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center. You can also access the park at Shark Valley, about 40 miles west of Downtown Miami along the Tamiami Trail (Southwest 8th Street).

Biscayne National Park

Biscayne National Park, the largest marine park in the U.S. National Park System, is an area of sparkling, clear water and a scattering of mangrove-fringed islands in southern Biscayne Bay and its outer coral reefs. The park is ideal for visitors looking for a unique snorkeling or diving adventure and a chance to see an incredible array of wildlife, including manatees, sea turtles, hundreds of species of birds, and tropical fish. The park’s nearly 173,000 acres are 95 percent water. Its four distinct ecosystems also can be explored by kayak, canoe or other boats, all of which are available as part of guided tours from the Dante Fascell Visitor Center in Homestead. 

Big Cypress National Preserve

Just 45 miles west of Miami, Big Cypress National Preserve encompasses 729,000 acres of wetland that support rich marine estuaries along Florida’s southwest coast. Its tropical and temperate climate is home to a diverse collection of wildlife (including the elusive Florida panther) and abundant outdoor activities. From November through March, enjoy guided swamp tours, ranger chats and canoe trips – or camp at one of several campgrounds.

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State Parks in Miami

Oleta River State Park

Oleta River State Park, which at 1,033 acres is Florida’s largest urban park, is very popular with people who ride mountain bikes. This North Miami Beach park is also a good place for paddlers and those who enjoy fishing. Its namesake river winds through the park from Maule Lake to the east to the Intracoastal Waterway to the west, where you can paddle through lush mangrove forests. It has 15 miles of unpaved bicycling trails.

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park on Key Biscayne has 400 acres of coastal habitat that include a restored hardwood hammock and native vegetation. The park is a regular stop for birds that breed in eastern Canada, the northeastern United States and the mid-Atlantic region and travel the Atlantic Flyway in the fall to reach winter habitats in the Caribbean and northern South America. The park also offers more than a mile of Atlantic beach for sunning and swimming, two restaurants and tours of a historic lighthouse.

The Barnacle Historic State Park

The Barnacle Historic State Park is on the water in the heart of Coconut Grove. The property that was once the home of Coconut Grove pioneer and renowned yacht designer Ralph Munroe now features lush tropical vegetation and incomparable views of Biscayne Bay. Munroe preserved the forest on his land, cutting out only a winding trail wide enough for one vehicle, so the park still has many large, old trees. Stop by for a tour of the Barnacle House and Boathouse or take a self-guided walk around the park.

Gardens & Botanical Parks in Miami

Miami’s national parks may be larger, but the destination’s impressive collection of botanical gardens pack a big punch as well. Visit them to soak up the sights and sounds of an incredible array of plants, wildlife and incomparable scenic beauty.

Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center

Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center is an educational facility and exhibition space dedicated to providing environmental education and promoting environmental stewardship. The center is nestled on the north end of Crandon Park in Key Biscayne, surrounded by the coastal dunes, beaches and tropical hammocks of the Bear Cut Nature Preserve. Its proximity to these habitats makes the nature center the perfect place for hands-on learning. The center offers field trips and family outings guided by a naturalist and also plays host to exhibits, workshops and events.

Miami Beach Botanical Garden

Miami Beach Botanical Garden is a three-acre oasis in the middle of bustling Miami Beach. The renovated garden features 100 species of palm species as well as orchids and many native plant species plus water features that create a serene outdoor setting. Its beauty and central location make it a popular destination for public events and educational programs.

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables is named for pioneering botanist and explorer Dr. David Fairchild, who introduced soybeans, pistachios, mangos, nectarines, dates, varieties of bamboo and flowering cherries to the United States before creating and curating this one-of-a-kind garden. Visitors can enjoy a leisurely stroll through the park’s gardens and exhibits. A mango festival and an orchid festival, among others held there, draw crowds annually.

Pinecrest Gardens

Pinecrest Gardens is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has 14 acres of lush botanical gardens in the suburban village of Pinecrest. Since its inception in 1936 as a tourist attraction called Parrot Jungle, it has grown to include a butterfly exhibit, a petting zoo, a Splash ‘N’ Play water playground and a 500-seat outdoor amphitheater that hosts artistic performances. The gardens are also regularly used to host workshops and meetings of local gardening and horticulture organizations.

Fruit & Spice Park

While in South Dade, don’t forget to stop at Fruit & Spice Park to take a guided tour of the property. There are more than 500 species of fruits, herbs, vegetables, nuts and spices growing throughout its 39 acres. It has 150 varieties of mango alone. During the tour and also in the park store, visitors are able to taste a selection of the produce that is in season.