Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park

About Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park sits at the southern tip of Key Biscayne and features a pristine, uncrowded beach regularly ranked among the top 10 beaches in the United States. Unlike the bustling crowds of South Beach, Bill Baggs offers a peaceful, natural Florida beach experience surrounded by native vegetation and wildlife. The park's centerpiece is the historic Cape Florida Lighthouse, built in 1825 and the oldest standing structure in Miami-Dade County. Free guided tours take visitors to the top for panoramic views of Biscayne Bay, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Miami skyline. The park offers kayak, paddleboard, and bicycle rentals for exploring the shoreline and 1.5 miles of paved trails winding through coastal hammock and mangrove ecosystems. Two beachside restaurants — Boater's Grill and the Lighthouse Cafe — serve fresh seafood, sandwiches, and tropical drinks right on the sand. Fishing is popular along the seawall on the bay side, where snook, tarpon, and bonefish are common catches. The park entrance fee is $8 per vehicle and includes access to all trails, the beach, and the lighthouse grounds. Bill Baggs is one of the best places in Miami to escape the city without leaving the city — a true hidden gem for nature lovers, photographers, and anyone seeking a quieter beach day in South Florida.