Biscayne National Park — Visitor Info

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Biscayne National Park protects a mostly underwater world just south of Miami — coral reefs, mangrove shoreline, and a chain of barrier islands, with about 95% of the park covered by water. There are no roads into the park's islands or reefs; almost everything here requires a boat.

Page content last verified: July 2026

Check current conditions before you go: You need your own boat or a concession tour/rental to reach almost anything in this park beyond the mainland visitor center — there is no shuttle service to the islands or reefs. Always check the official Biscayne Alerts & Conditions page first.
Quick Facts
Location
Biscayne Bay, south of Miami, Florida
Entrance Fee
None — docking/camping fees apply on the islands
Reservation Needed to Enter?
No (docking/camping is first-come, first-served)
Permit Needed For
Florida saltwater fishing license required; no camping permit but fees apply
Lodging
Boat-access-only island camping; no roads or car camping
Managed By
National Park Service

Visitor Centers

Dante Fascell Visitor Center
At Convoy Point on the mainland — the park's only visitor center, with exhibits, a boardwalk, and access to concession boat tours, kayak/canoe rentals, and the marina.

Confirm current hours on the official NPS hours & visitor centers page before you go.

Getting Out on the Water

Without your own boat, the main ways to experience Biscayne are a concession-run boat tour, glass-bottom boat trip, snorkeling/diving excursion, or kayak/canoe rental from Convoy Point — all booked through the park's authorized concessioner, not the NPS directly. If you're bringing your own boat, the Convoy Point boat ramp and marina are the main mainland launch points.

Entrance Fees & Passes

Biscayne National Park has no entrance fee. Fees only apply if you dock or camp overnight on Boca Chita Key or Elliott Key (see below). Because entry itself is free, only limited America the Beautiful passes (4th Grade, Access, and Military) are sold at the park — Senior and Annual passes aren't available on-site but can be purchased at nearby Everglades National Park or Big Cypress National Preserve.

Every Kid Outdoors — Free 4th Grade Pass

4th graders (and their families) can visit free with an Every Kid Outdoors pass, available at everykidoutdoors.gov.

Permits & Reservations

No permit is needed to enter the park or visit Convoy Point. A Florida saltwater fishing license is required to fish anywhere in the park (lobster harvesting is not permitted in Biscayne Bay). No permit is required for the island camping described below, but nightly fees apply and must be paid on arrival via the Recreation.gov mobile app (download it before you leave cell coverage).

Campgrounds & RV Options

There is no RV, car, or drive-up camping anywhere in Biscayne National Park — both campgrounds are on islands reachable only by boat, and there is no backcountry camping outside them.

Boca Chita Key
The park's most popular island — grassy camping area, picnic tables, toilets, but no showers, sinks, or drinking water. Harbor entrance runs about 4ft deep at low tide. Docking $25/day (Fri–Mon and federal holidays); camping $35/night (covers up to 6 people, 2 tents) — both fees apply if staying overnight. First-come, first-served; no reservations.
Elliott Key
The park's largest island, with 33 marina slips. Restrooms with sinks and cold showers, drinking water (bring backup in case the system is down), picnic tables and grills. Harbor runs about 2.5ft at low tide. Same $25/day docking and $35/night camping fees as Boca Chita; first-come, first-served.

Pay through the free Recreation.gov mobile app by scanning the QR code at either island's harbor kiosk — download the app before you lose cell service. Camping is capped at 14 consecutive days (30 days per calendar year), and there's no trash collection on either island — pack out everything.

Good to Know

  • This is one of the most water-dominated parks in the system — without a boat, your visit is essentially limited to Convoy Point and the mainland boardwalk.
  • Coral reefs and shipwrecks along the Maritime Heritage Trail are a major draw for snorkelers and divers — conditions and visibility vary by season and weather.
  • Insects can be intense, especially in warmer months — bring repellent for the islands.
  • Pets are allowed leashed in developed areas on Elliott Key but are not permitted on Boca Chita Key at all, including aboard docked vessels.

More National Parks

See our other National Park visitor guides, or browse the full National Parks guide.

Fees and regulations change from year to year. This page is a starting point for trip planning — always confirm current details on the official Biscayne National Park site before you go.

Sources: NPS – Fees & Passes · NPS – Camping · NPS – Alerts & Conditions