🏆 Official Guide: The Barnacle Historic State Park — five bayfront acres in Coconut Grove holding the oldest house in Miami-Dade County, the 1891 home of pioneer yacht designer Ralph Munroe.
The Barnacle Historic State Park is a green hush in the middle of Miami — five acres of tropical hardwood hammock and bayfront lawn in the heart of Coconut Grove, hiding the oldest house in Miami-Dade County still standing in its original location. Built in 1891 by Ralph Middleton Munroe, a founder of Coconut Grove and a celebrated designer of shallow-draft sailing yachts, the house takes its name from its distinctive shape — Munroe thought it resembled a barnacle, and its central room is a broad octagon designed to catch the bay breeze.
Munroe was the first commodore of the Biscayne Bay Yacht Club, a title he held for 22 years. He bought 40 acres of bayfront here in 1886; the Florida Park Service acquired the surviving five-acre homesite from his descendants in 1973, preserving the house, boathouse, and one of the last natural shorelines on this stretch of the bay. It’s a day-use historic park with a modest admission.
What Makes This Park Unique
Miami’s Oldest House
The 1891 Barnacle is the oldest house in Miami-Dade County still on its original site — a window into pioneer Coconut Grove before the skyline.
A Yacht Designer’s Home
Ralph Munroe designed some of the era’s finest shallow-draft sailing yachts; his boathouse and a restored sharpie still sit at the water’s edge.
Last Wild Bayfront
Five acres of native hardwood hammock and undeveloped Biscayne Bay shoreline — a rare survivor amid Coconut Grove’s development.
Moonlight Concerts
The bayfront lawn hosts the park’s beloved monthly moonlight concerts and living-history programs.
Things to Do
House tours: Ranger-guided tours of the Barnacle interior reveal Munroe’s ingenious hurricane-smart design, family furnishings, and maritime collection.
Grounds & bay: Stroll the hammock paths to the open lawn and dock, one of the calmest, prettiest views of Biscayne Bay in the city.
Events: Time a visit for a moonlight concert, a sailing program, or a living-history weekend.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | $2/person day-use (as of July 2026); tour fee separate |
| Size | 5 acres on Biscayne Bay |
| The House | Built 1891; oldest in Miami-Dade on its original site |
| Camping | Day-use only — no camping |
| Location | 3485 Main Highway, Coconut Grove, Miami, FL 33133 (Miami-Dade County) |
| Official Info | Florida State Parks – The Barnacle |
Getting There
The Barnacle is on Main Highway in the heart of Coconut Grove village, a short walk from the shops and restaurants of CocoWalk — about 15 minutes from downtown Miami. The entrance is an easy-to-miss gate between storefronts; parking is limited, so arrive early or come by rideshare.
Nearby Parks Worth Combining
Combine The Barnacle with the historic lighthouse and Key Biscayne beaches of Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park just across the bay. The Florida state parks guide has the full picture, including the Miami-area parks.
Facts verified against the Florida Park Service and public records, July 2026. Tour times and fees are set by the Florida Park Service — check the official park page before your trip.
Park Location
Plan your gear for The Barnacle Historic State Park
From our editorial guides, matched to this park’s activities:
