Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park

At Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, Miami comes to chill. This day-use park is all about the water, sitting at the tip of land where the Cape Florida Lighthouse has stood since 1825. While the present lighthouse is a replacement, rebuilt in 1846, it’s a perfect perch for a sweeping view of Miami and Biscayne Bay. The mile-plus sweep of beach that sits beneath the lighthouse grows crowded on summer weekends with families looking to sun and enjoy the gentle surf. Paved trails enable visitors to meander the waterfront for views of Stiltsville, a quirky village of old fishing shacks above Biscayne Bay, as well as ride bicycles – tandems, ...

At Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, Miami comes to chill. This day-use park is all about the water, sitting at the tip of land where the Cape Florida Lighthouse has stood since 1825. While the present lighthouse is a replacement, rebuilt in 1846, it’s a perfect perch for a sweeping view of Miami and Biscayne Bay. The mile-plus sweep of beach that sits beneath the lighthouse grows crowded on summer weekends with families looking to sun and enjoy the gentle surf. Paved trails enable visitors to meander the waterfront for views of Stiltsville, a quirky village of old fishing shacks above Biscayne Bay, as well as ride bicycles – tandems, cruisers, and quads available for rent – between the two cafes, the Lighthouse Café on the Atlantic shore and the Boater’s Grill at the marina on Biscayne Bay. Boats may anchor and camp at No Name Harbor for a fee. Nature trails crisscross a sweep of coastal dunes and tropical hammocks in the upland areas, but the biggest allure beyond the beach is the mighty fine fishing to be had in the clear waters of Biscayne Bay right off the observation decks of the paved trail.

About the Expert

Sandra Friend has written 12 books about Florida, including the Explorer's Guide (Countryman Press) series to Florida.