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ParkNet-Biscayne

Boca Chita Key

The northern most developed island in the park provides visitors with a variety of facilities. There is a campground with picnic tables and barbecue grills. See Camping for additional information about camping on Boca Chita Key. Mosquitoes inhabit this island year round.

There are additional picnic tables and barbecue grills located on the south side of the harbor near the open-air pavilion. There is no freshwater or electricity on the island. Bathrooms are saltwater toilets only. A half-mile hiking trail starts just east of the bathrooms. The trail continues to the south end of the island curving back north and emerging near the pavilion and picnic area. A sixty-five foot ornamental lighthouse provides a fantastic view of the islands, bay, ocean, and the Miami, Key Biscayne, and Miami Beach skylines. The lighthouse is open when park service staff are on the island. There are no sales facilities. Trash pickup is not provided. Campers and visitors must pack out all their trash.

The harbor entrance at low tide is approximately four feet. Any deep draft vessel requiring 3 ½ or more feet of water should exercise extreme caution in this area. Low tide is calculated by adding one hour and forty-three minutes to the time that the tide is low at Miami's Government Cut. High tide is plus one hour twenty-four minutes from the time that the tide is high at the Miami's Government Cut. Boca Chita harbor has a cleated bulkhead that is the only designated area where boats may dock. Boats may raft no more than two deep. Pets are not permitted on the island nor or boats in the harbor. An overnight docking fee of $15 is assessed between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. Use of one individual campsite is included in the docking fee. Register at the kiosk next to the edge of the harbor.

Elliott Key

The entrance at Elliott Key harbor is approximately 2 ½ feet at low tide. Low tide is calculated by adding three hours and twenty-five minutes to the low tide at Miami's Government Cut. High tide is calculated by adding two hours and twenty-eight minutes to the high tide at Government Cut. Boats may dock at any one of the 36 slips. An overnight docking fee of $15 is assessed between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. Use of one individual campsite is included in the docking fee. Register at the kiosk by the harbor edge. Pets on a leash are permitted within the developed areas of Elliott Key. Pets may not be left unattended. Mosquitoes are found here year round.

The campground is located on the bay side of the island between the hammock edge and to within 25 feet of the harbor. Camping is first come first serve. See Camping for additional information about camping on Elliott Key. Picnic tables and barbecue grills are located through out the campground. The open grass area north of the buildings is used as a helicopter-landing zone in case of emergency. Do not camp in this area.

A group campsite with barbecue grills and picnic tables is located on the east side (ocean side) of the island, approximately a third of a mile walk from the harbor, and may be reserved by calling 305-230-1144 ext. 3071. A fire pit on the east side of the island next to the group campsite is the only location in the park where an open ground fire is permitted. There is no backcountry camping in the park.

Restrooms with cold water showers are available. Fresh drinking water is located outside of the restroom building. It is recommended that you bring your own fresh water, just in case the generator should go down.

There are no sales facilities. There is no trash pickup on the island. Campers and visitors must pack out all of their trash.

Visitors can enjoy the designated swim area located on the bay side of the island (just to the north of the harbor). The shoreline of the island is generally rocky so wear shoes to protect your feet. A mile long hiking trail starts on the bay side of the island at the north end of the campground. The trail leads east across the island then south, joining a boardwalk along the eastern shore. The boardwalk ends at the group campsite where the trail picks up again heading west across the island to the harbor. Another trail of approximately six miles runs nearly the length of the island. Fishing is permitted from the maintenance dock located south of the harbor or from the shoreline outside of the buoyed swimming area and no-wake zone.

Adams Key

Adams Key is a day use area only. There is a pavilion with picnic tables and barbecue grills close by. There is a short hiking trail north of the open grass area. Bathrooms have saltwater toilets only. Fresh water is not available. Overnight docking is not permitted. Pets are not allowed on Adams Key. Mosquitoes are found here year round.