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Biscayne National Park

Homestead, FL

Turquoise waters, emerald islands and fish-bejeweled reefs make Biscayne National Park a paradise for wildlife-watching, snorkeling, diving, boating, fishing and other activities. Within the park boundaries are the longest stretch of mangrove forest left on Florida's east coast, the clear shallow waters of Biscayne Bay, over 40 of the northernmost Florida Keys, and a spectacular living coral reef. Superimposed on all of this natural beauty is evidence of 10,000 years of human history, including stories of native peoples, shipwrecks, pirates, pioneers, and Presidents.

CONTACTS

Email - BISC_Information@nps.gov

Fax- 305-230-1190

Write to
9700 SW 328 Street
Homestead, FL 33033-5634

Phone
Headquarters - 305-230-1144
Visitor Information - 305-230-7275

TRAVEL BASICS

Operating Hours, Seasons
The water portion of Biscayne National Park is open 24 hours a day. Convoy Point is open daily (except December 25) from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The Dante Fascell Visitor Center is open 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Getting There
PLANE - Closest major airport is Miami International, approximately 35 miles from the park.

CAR - Convoy Point (park headquarters and the Dante Fascell Visitor Center) is located nine miles east of Homestead, Florida, on SW 328 Street. Please use the link above for detailed driving directions.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - None.

Weather & Climate
Summers are warm, with light breezes and frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Winters are mild and dry, but windy.

Accessibility
Ramps, elevators and boardwalks make Convoy Point and the Dante Fascell Visitor Center fully accessible to those with mobility challenges. Audiovisual programs are closed-captioned and available in both English and Spanish. Translations of the Park's brochure are available in Spanish, French, German and Japanese. On the islands, restrooms are accessible, but some of the buildings are not. Concessioner operated boat trips are accessible with assistance. Concessioner-operated boat trips are accessible with assistance

Getting Around
Biscayne National Park is 95% water, so seeing anything beyond the visitor center area requires a boat. The park's concessioner offers several options.

FEES/PERMITS

Activity Fee
CAMPING
$10 for Day
Campsite on Elliott Key or Boca Chita Key. Fee covers up to 6 people and two tents. Does not include boat transportation to the island. Note that if you have a boat in the harbor, a campsite is included in the $15/night docking fee.

GROUP CAMPING
$25 for Day
Group camping areas are located on both Elliott and Boca Chita Key. Fee covers up to 6 tents and 25 people. Call 305-230-1144, x 3071 to reserve.

OVERNIGHT BOAT DOCKING
$15 for Day
Overnight docking in either Elliott Key or Boca Chita Key Harbors. Includes one campsite.

Permits
BOCA CHITA KEY PAVILION RENTAL
$100 for Half Day
Exclusive use of the Boca Chita Key Pavilion can be assured by calling 305-230-1144, x 3071 to obtain a permit.

CAMPING

Boca Chita Key Campground
Open All Year
Open, waterside, grassy camping area with picnic tables and grills. Toilets are available on the island, but there are no sinks, showers or drinking water. ACCESSIBLE BY BOAT ONLY. To arrange for transportation to the island with the park's concessioner, call 305-230-1100. Fees: $10/night/site; $15/night/site if you have a boat in the harbor. Paying fees is the responsibility of the camper. Any vessel in the harbor after 6:00 p.m. is considered an overnight stay, and fees must be paid at the kiosk near the harbor.
For More Information on this campground please call 305-230-7275

Elliott Key Campground
Open All Year
Waterside and forested camping areas on a 7-mile long island. Picnic tables and grills are available. Restrooms with sinks and cold water showers are available. Drinking water is available on the island, but bring some of your own as a precaution should the system go down. Two trails tunnel through the island's tropical hardwood hammock. One trail runs the entire 7-mile of the island (14 miles roundtrip), and another loops for approximately one mile near the harbor. ACCESSIBLE BY BOAT ONLY. To arrange for transportation to the island with the park's concessioner, call 305-230-1100. Fees: $10/night/site; $15/night/site if you have a boat in the harbor. Paying fees is the responsibility of the camper. Any vessel in the harbor after 6:00 p.m. is considered an overnight stay, and fees must be paid at the kiosk near the harbor.
For More Information on this campground please call 305-230-7275

FACILITIES

DANTE FASCELL VISITOR CENTER
Open All Year 8:30 a.m to 5:00 p.m.
Phone - 305-230-7275
Location - Nine miles east of Homestead, Florida on SW 328 Street.
Closures - Closed Christmas Day.
Special Programs - Ranger-guided boat tours daily at 10:00 a.m., weather permitting (fee charged). Ranger's Choice program offered Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 2:30 p.m.. Additional special programs offered throughout the year; visit www.nps.gov/bisc/calendar.htm for details.
Exhibits - Permanent display takes visitors through the park's four ecosystems (mangrove forest, bay, keys and coral reef) using dioramas, audio and video.
Available Facilities - Visitor information, films, interpretive programs, bookstore, picnic area, short walking trail, restrooms, first aid, gift shop.

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