Bill Baggs Cape State Park
🏆 Official Guide: Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park — A stunning park at the southern tip of Key Biscayne, just 15 minutes from downtown Miami, Florida — featuring the Cape Florida Lighthouse (1825, oldest standing structure in Miami-Dade), over 1 mile of Atlantic beachfront, guided lighthouse tours (Thu–Mon 10am/1pm), kayaking, biking, fishing, No Name Harbor overnight anchorage, on-site dining, and designation as an Underground Railroad Network to Freedom site.
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park is where Miami’s urban energy meets pristine Atlantic shoreline — a beloved park at the tip of Key Biscayne crowned by the iconic Cape Florida Lighthouse. Beyond the beach and the stunning lighthouse views, this park carries deep historical significance as a departure point on the “Saltwater Railroad,” where enslaved people escaped to freedom in the British Bahamas.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Southern tip of Key Biscayne — 15 min from downtown Miami |
| Beach | 1+ mile of Atlantic beachfront |
| Hours | 365 days/year — 8 AM to sundown |
| Admission | $8/vehicle (2–8 people) — lower for single/pedestrian/bike |
| Lighthouse Tours | Thu–Mon 10 AM + 1 PM — must be 42″ tall |
| Historic | Underground Railroad Network to Freedom site |
Lighthouse
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Built | 1825 (reconstructed 1846) |
| Height | 109 spiral steps to the top |
| Tours | Guided — Thu–Mon at 10 AM + 1 PM |
| Distinction | Oldest standing structure in Miami-Dade County |
| Keeper’s Cottage | Included in guided tour |
Activities
| Activity | Details |
|---|---|
| Swimming | 1+ mi Atlantic beach — no lifeguards |
| Lighthouse Tours | 109-step climb — panoramic Biscayne Bay views |
| Kayaking | Launch at Beach Access #1 — Biscayne Bay |
| Biking | Paved trails + service roads — rentals available |
| Hiking | Nature trails through native vegetation |
| Fishing | Excellent — seawall on Biscayne Bay |
| Boating | No Name Harbor — overnight anchorage (fee) |
| Dining | Lighthouse Café (beachside) + Boater’s Grill (harbor) |
| History | “Saltwater Railroad” — Underground Railroad site |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I climb the lighthouse?
Yes — guided tours run Thursday through Monday at 10 AM and 1 PM. You must be at least 42 inches tall to climb the 109 spiral steps. The tour includes the lighthouse and the keeper’s cottage.
What is the Saltwater Railroad?
Cape Florida was a critical departure point on the “Saltwater Railroad” — a maritime escape route where enslaved African Americans and Black Seminoles fled by boat or canoe to the British Bahamas to find freedom in the early 19th century. The park is an official site on the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom.
