Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park occupies the southern tip of Key Biscayne at 1200 S Crandon Boulevard, Key Biscayne, Florida, reached from Miami over the Rickenbacker Causeway. The park combines a long, calm beach, shaded picnic areas, bike and walking trails and coastal vegetation with a historic landmark: the Cape Florida Lighthouse, built in 1825 and the oldest standing structure in Miami-Dade County. Visitors can climb the lighthouse on a guided tour, which is free with park entry, and the top gives wide views over Biscayne Bay, the Atlantic and the Miami skyline. Tours run Thursday to Monday at about 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM, and spaces are first-come, so arriving early helps. Beyond the lighthouse, the beach is wide and the water is generally shallow and gentle, making it popular for swimming and relaxed days out. Cyclists use the park roads and trails, and anglers work the bay side. A typical visit lasts three to five hours. Weekday mornings are the best time to arrive, with the beach and parking lot quieter, while weekends and holidays fill the lot quickly and the entrance can queue. The park is open daily from 8:00 AM until sunset. Entry costs 8 USD per vehicle with two to eight people, and 2 USD per pedestrian or cyclist. The Rickenbacker Causeway toll is about 2.50 USD. Visitors arrive by car or rideshare, and Metrobus B reaches Key Biscayne. Food is available on site at the park's cafe, but visitors often bring picnics, water and sun protection, since shade on the beach is limited.