American Vista: Biscayne National Park

AMONG FLORIDA’S TREASURE ISLANDS, there is an inescapable sense of adventure.

Biscayne National Park glimmers like a blue gem in the sun—which you might expect of a national park whose 173,000 acres are 95% covered in water. Like a mighty ship pulling into the harbor, here your RV may dock at the Dante Fascell Visitor Center. Once you disembark, you’ll soon discover a crystal-clear aquatic playground full of marine life—with nearby islands, like Boca Chita here, just begging you to get your toes (or boat) wet.

Paddle Through a Maze of Mangroves

Toy haulers (or anyone with kayak racks), be advised: You’ll wanna bring your good ole rafting buddy as well as your kayak. Paddling among Biscayne’s coastal mangroves gives you a very specific feeling—like you’re in a movie. There you are! Penetrating the water-tangled roots of a mysterious aquatic forest. Your oar disturbs the green-mirrored surface of the water just outside the lost city of… Miami.

Nearest Parking Lot Coordinate
25° 27’ 51” N
80° 20’ 09” W

The Beauty of Boca Chita

Boca Chita Key is the most visited island in Biscayne National Park. And it’s easy to see why. The harbor’s iconic 65-foot lighthouse (with an observation deck) stands between the urbane Miami skyline and the immensity of the Atlantic. You have to arrive by boat, but you can camp overnight for a $35 fee. There’s no electricity or drinking water, but there are restrooms and a half-mile hiking trail.

Nearest Parking Lot Coordinate

25° 27’ 51” N
80° 20’ 09” W

Island Hopping Is Encouraged

Lots of people not named MacArthur enjoy island hopping too. At Biscayne, you can boat-hop uninhabited keys (there are many) or moor into one of the two main islands: Boca Chita Key (the most popular) and Elliott Key (the longest). The crystal-clear waters invite exploration in every direction and angling too—if you’ve got a Florida fishing license and are up to date on the state regs.

Nearest Parking Lot Coordinate

25° 27’ 51” N
80° 20’ 09” W

Snorkeling in a Sea of Shipwrecks

You might have guessed that what’s above water is only half the fun. Biscayne National Park is part of the world’s third-largest coral reef. Composed of living coral and inhabited by over 500 species of fish, the translucent waters are a kaleidoscope of biodiversity. And there’s more below the surface. Both snorkelers and scuba enthusiasts can explore real shipwrecks on the Biscayne Maritime Heritage Trail.

Nearest Parking Lot Coordinate

25° 27’ 51” N
80° 20’ 09” W

Alternate RV adventures in a Winter Waterland

It doesn’t really matter which direction you tackle Florida’s peninsular plummet. Whether you drive your rig down I-75’s Gulfflanked track or tow your trailer down I-95’s Atlantic boundary, you’re going to end up on SW 328th Street if you want to enter Biscayne National Park. (The Dante Fascell Visitor Center is just south of Miami, so the park recommends taking the Florida Turnpike to avoid delays.)

What does matter is the time of year you arrive. (December through May is best to avoid hurricane season.) The visitor center is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., but local campgrounds, like the Southern Comfort RV Resort, are just a short drive away. Make no mistake, wherever you park is just a launching point into this giant marine playground. Whether you’re interested in seeing the seabirds in the air, manatees among the mangroves, or tropical sea life under the waves, you’ll find plenty of reasons to keep your RV parked.

“It’s definitely another ‘must-see’ if you get the chance!”