Located on the idyllic barrier island of Key Biscayne, right on Biscayne Bay, Crandon Park is popular for its beautiful beach, rich coastal environment, unique fossilized mangrove reef, protected wetlands, birding sites and extensive range of sports and outdoor activities.

In 1908, a wealthy businessman by the name of Commodore William John Matheson purchased 1,700 acres of northern Key Biscayne property and turned it into a coconut plantation. In 1940, the heirs of Commodore Matheson donated the plantation to Miami-Dade County with the condition that it be used as a public park. To thank the Matheson family for the donation, Charles H. Crandon, Chairman of the County Commission, offered to have the county build a causeway – now Rickenbacker Causeway – connecting Key Biscayne to mainland Miami. The park was eventually named after Charles H. Crandon, and today it is visited by locals and tourists from across the globe.

Nature

The eco-friendly Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center can be found in the northern end of the park. This solar-powered building has a reception area, nature exhibits, a gift shop, an audio-visual presentation room and lab classroom facilities. Outside, there are covered porches and a central amphitheater courtyard that hosts public shows and events year-round.

Crandon Park is home to various ecosystems, from dunes and mangroves to coastal hammock and seagrass beds and rare plants like the Biscayne prickly ash and beach peanut. Underwater, fossilized reefs and colorful sea life give divers and snorkelers plenty to explore. With its bird communities of herons, ospreys, songbirds, hawks and more, this park is considered a top spot in Miami for bird watching.

This park is also home to the Bear Cut Preserve, a designated natural Environment Study Area. Here, visitors can go on a naturalist-guided hammock hike through the preserve, take guided tours and get a peek at some of the area’s original natural landscapes. Nature enthusiasts can also take advantage of three guided EcoAdventure programs: “Bike and Hike,” “Expedition South Florida” and the “Sea Turtle Awareness Program.”

Activities and Amenities

Crandon Park offers plenty of outdoor fun for all ages. There are biking and walking paths, skateboarding areas and the Crandon Park Tennis Center, which has 27 courts, including 13 that are lighted. You can sign up for tennis lessons by calling (305) 365-2300.

If you want to go out on the water, you can choose from activities like canoeing, kayaking, kiteboarding, paddleboarding, sailing, snorkeling, wakeboarding and even windsurfing. There is an accessible, two-mile beach with pristine sand, calm waters, a popular sandbar, a waterfront promenade and concession stands. Beach cabanas, kiteboards and kayaks can be reserved on a first come, first served basis at the North Concession.

Avid boaters will love the onsite Crandon Marina, which has wet slips, boating ramps and docks that can accommodate boats up to 80 feet in length. Here, guests will find the Bait and Tackle Shop, Dive Shop, Marina Store, boat fuel pumps and outdoor showers. Perfect for adventurers, Crandon Marina also operates a public dive boat.

Young children will love the Crandon Park Amusement Center, which has a historic carousel that operates on weekends and holidays only, an old-fashioned outdoor roller rink and a playground with sculptures of different marine animals.

Snacks and drinks can be purchased onsite at park concessions booths. Throughout the park, picnic shelters and pavilions can be reserved on a first come, first served basis.

Plan Your Visit

Crandon Park is located directly next to Crandon Golf Course Key Biscayne. No floatation devices are allowed on park premises. Contact the park ahead of your visit to confirm normal operating hours and amenity availability.