Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park

Pristine state park beach at the tip of Key Biscayne with a historic lighthouse

Address

1200 S Crandon Blvd, Key Biscayne, FL 33149

Phone

(305) 361-5811

Hours

8AM-Sunset daily

Price

$8 per vehicle

About Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park sits at the southern tip of Key Biscayne and features a pristine, uncrowded beach regularly ranked among the top 10 beaches in the United States. Unlike the bustling crowds of South Beach, Bill Baggs offers a peaceful, natural Florida beach experience surrounded by native vegetation and wildlife. The park's centerpiece is the historic Cape Florida Lighthouse, built in 1825 and the oldest standing structure in Miami-Dade County. Free guided tours take visitors to the top for panoramic views of Biscayne Bay, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Miami skyline. The park offers kayak, paddleboard, and bicycle rentals for exploring the shoreline and 1.5 miles of paved trails winding through coastal hammock and mangrove ecosystems. Two beachside restaurants — Boater's Grill and the Lighthouse Cafe — serve fresh seafood, sandwiches, and tropical drinks right on the sand. Fishing is popular along the seawall on the bay side, where snook, tarpon, and bonefish are common catches. The park entrance fee is $8 per vehicle and includes access to all trails, the beach, and the lighthouse grounds. Bill Baggs is one of the best places in Miami to escape the city without leaving the city — a true hidden gem for nature lovers, photographers, and anyone seeking a quieter beach day in South Florida.

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Recreation Area occupies approximately the southern third of the island of Key Biscayne, at coordinates 25°40′25″N 80°09′34″W. This park includes the Cape Florida Light, the oldest standing structure in Greater Miami. In 2005, it was ranked as having the 8th best beach in the country, and in 2013 Forbes ranked it at 7th.