Biscayne National Park

🌊

Boating accidents

Top hazard

💵

Entrance fee

🚤

95%

Water

🏝️

7 structures

Stiltsville

🏕

2 keys

Boat-in camping

📷

None

Live cameras

⚠️Access & Water SafetyBoating hazards▾

🌊 NPS: "Boating accidents claim the lives of many people every year." Watch for shallow reefs and navigation hazards — grounding on coral causes lasting damage and is illegal. Marine wildlife (jellyfish, stingrays, sharks, and the American crocodile) share these waters, though NPS notes attacks in the park are uncommon. Sun exposure is significant on open water — use reef-safe sunscreen. Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30. NPS safety info ↗

Quick Stats

Established1980

Road in Park~1 mile total

Visitor Center Hours9am–5pm daily

TimezoneEastern, DST

🚤Access & EntryFee-free▾

🗺️ NPS: "Biscayne National Park is 95% water" and "to get beyond the visitor center area requires a boat." There are no bridges or ferries to the islands or campgrounds. NPS runs no boat tours directly — trips are operated by the park's authorized concessioner, Biscayne National Park Institute, and other private operators. The park has no entrance fee. NPS directions ↗

🐠Coral Reef & StiltsvilleFlorida Reef▾

Coral Reefcontext▾

The Florida ReefNPS: "part of the world's third-longest barrier reef ecosystem" — a 170-mile coral barrier reef tract; the park sits at its northern end

Reef fishHome to over 500 species

Stiltsville7 structures▾

Remaining structuresHurricane Andrew (1992) left only 7 buildings standing, none dating to the area's earlier heyday

AccessInterior access is permit-only via the Stiltsville Trust; NPS has a cooperative agreement with the Trust for upkeep and education. Visible from the water on boat tours.

🏕CampingBoat-in · FCFS▾

⛺ NPS: "No reservations may be made in advance for these campgrounds; they are available on a first-come, first-served basis." Both a docking fee and a camping fee are required and paid on-arrival via the Recreation.gov app. Max 6 people/2 tents per site; 14 consecutive days, 30 days/year cap. Senior Pass holders get 50% off.

Boca Chita Key$25/day dock + $35/night camp▾

Dock Fee$25/day, Fri–Mon and federal holidays

AmenitiesGrassy camping area, picnic tables/grills, toilets only — no showers or drinking water

Harbor Depth~4 ft at low tide

Elliott Key$25/day dock + $35/night camp▾

AmenitiesRestrooms with sinks/cold showers, drinking water (bring backup), 33-slip marina

TrailsTwo hiking trails

Harbor Depth~2.5 ft at low tide

Park Contact Information

📞 Phone: (786) 335-3620 · Mailing Address: 9700 SW 328th Street, Sir Lancelot Jones Way, Homestead, FL 33033 · Official NPS contact page ↗