Cape Florida Lighthouse Climb and Beach Cycling

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, at 1200 S Crandon Boulevard on the southern tip of Key Biscayne, is about 10 miles (16 km) southeast of downtown Miami and combines a historic lighthouse, a long beach and paved and unpaved trails. The Cape Florida Lighthouse, built in 1825 and rebuilt in 1846, is the oldest standing structure in Miami-Dade County, and visitors can climb its 109 steps to the top on ranger-led tours for views over Biscayne Bay, the Atlantic and the Miami skyline. Tours of the lighthouse and the keeper's cottage are typically offered Thursday to Monday at about 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., though current times should be confirmed with the park. The climb is a tight spiral staircase with limited space and no elevator, so a basic level of fitness is needed, and the experience is not suitable for those with mobility limitations or a fear of heights. The cycling element is self-organised: riders use the Rickenbacker Causeway and Crandon Boulevard approach and then ride the park's roads and trails, which are mostly flat and shaded in places, and the cape's beaches offer a place to stop and swim. Bikes and helmets are not rented inside the park, so visitors bring their own or rent on Key Biscayne. The operator is Florida State Parks, which runs the lighthouse tours with park rangers. Entry is $8 USD per vehicle, or $4 USD for a single-occupant vehicle, and the lighthouse tour is free with entry, though fees and times should be confirmed. Rangers brief climbers before the ascent, covering the stairs, the group size limits and safety rules at the top. In an emergency, rangers on site coordinate with Miami-Dade emergency services. The best season is November to April, when temperatures and humidity are lower; summer is hot and prone to afternoon storms, and the lighthouse can close during lightning or high winds. Visitors should avoid midday heat and carry water, sunscreen and a hat. Strong sun and limited shade on the beach make early morning or late afternoon the most comfortable times for cycling.