Biscayne Hiking Guide: Best Trails for Every Level

By David Sanchez · Data: National Park Service · ← Complete guide Biscayne

Biscayne raises a question as soon as you arrive: how do you hike in a national park that's 95% water? The answer is short, and that's exactly what makes this Florida park so unusual. You can count the hiking trails on one hand, but they pass through preserved tropical forests you won't find anywhere else in the United States.

The must-do hike is the Spite Highway Trail on Elliott Key. It runs about 4.3 miles one way through a subtropical hardwood hammock and is accessible only by boat from Convoy Point. If you don't have a boat, Convoy Point's Jetty Trail offers an easy 1.6-mile round-trip walk along the bay. It's ideal for spotting pelicans and, in winter, manatees.

Two other options are worth noting. The short loop on Adams Key is less than 0.9 miles and requires a boat. It circles an island with a surprising history. You can also wander freely around Boca Chita Key, where there's no marked trail but there is a 1930s ornamental reinforced-concrete lighthouse.

Getting Ready for a Hike in Biscayne

Permits and Boat Logistics

You don't need a permit for day hikes. The main challenge is different: nearly all of the trails are on islands accessible only by water. Without a boat, you're limited to the Jetty Trail on the mainland. The park doesn't offer regular inter-island shuttle service. Your options are to bring your own kayak or canoe, with free launch access at Convoy Point, rent a motorboat, or book a guided trip with an authorized operator. For marinas and launch points, see getting to Biscayne by boat.

Water and Supplies: A Critical Issue on the Islands

There is no drinking water on Elliott Key, Adams Key, or Boca Chita Key. Bring at least 2 liters per person for a half-day, and more in summer. There are no grocery stores or vending machines, so pack everything you need before you board the boat.

Respect the Wildlife

Biscayne is one of the few places in the United States where American crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus) live. They're different from the alligators in Everglades National Park. They frequent the islands' brackish shorelines. Stay at least 50 feet away if you spot one near the water. Venomous snakes live in the hammocks, including cottonmouths, so stay on marked trails. The mosquitoes on Elliott Key deserve special mention, especially in summer. A strong DEET-based repellent is essential.

Dogs

Dogs are allowed only on the Jetty Trail at Convoy Point, on a leash no longer than 6 feet. They're prohibited on every island in the park, without exception.

Heat, UV, and Thunderstorms

The park has a subtropical climate. Temperatures hover around 68°F in January and 82°F in July, but the heat index regularly tops 100°F in summer once humidity is factored in. From June through September, severe thunderstorms often develop over the Keys in the early afternoon. Set out before 9 a.m., wear SPF 50 sunscreen, and bring a hat and a lightweight rain jacket. In winter, cold fronts can bring wind and some rain.

The Best Hikes, Area by Area

Convoy Point: Jetty Trail (Mainland, No Access Restrictions)

Distance: 1.6 miles round-trip | Elevation gain: none | Time: 45 minutes to 1 hour | Difficulty: easy | Type: out-and-back

The Jetty Trail follows the stone jetty from the Dante Fascell Visitor Center to the point extending into the bay. You'll regularly see brown pelicans, tricolored herons, and white ibises. In winter, manatees sometimes swim along the jetty. The view opens onto Biscayne Bay, with the Keys on the horizon. There's little shade in the middle of the day, so go early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

Trailhead: Parking lot at the Dante Fascell Visitor Center, 9700 SW 328th St, Homestead.

Elliott Key: Spite Highway Trail (Island, Boat Access)

Distance: 4.3 miles one way from the dock, with a partial or full round-trip depending on your energy | Elevation gain: none, on a flat coral island | Time: 2 to 5 hours depending on the distance you choose | Difficulty: moderate due to length, heat, and mosquitoes | Type: out-and-back

The trail's name needs some explanation. In 1968, real estate developers drove a bulldozer through Elliott Key's tropical hammock to carve a road and discourage Congress from designating the island as a protected park. The plan failed, and the park was established in 1980. The forest has since reclaimed Spite Highway, and the trail that follows its route now passes through a regenerating subtropical hardwood hammock filled with mahogany, gumbo-limbo trees, and satinleaf. The canopy provides shade, a welcome relief in summer.

On a visit in February, I counted about 20 species of migratory birds in less than two hours without even trying. In winter, Spite Highway is one of the best birdwatching spots in South Florida.

American crocodiles sometimes appear along the island's shoreline, especially on the way back to the dock late in the day. Keep your distance.

Trailhead: Main dock at Elliott Key Harbor. The boat ride from Convoy Point takes about 45 minutes. Docking fees apply.

Tip: You can turn around at any point. A 2.5- to 3.1-mile round-trip from the dock is enough to get a feel for the hammock without committing to the full distance.

Adams Key: Hammock Loop (Island, Boat Access)

Distance: less than 0.9 miles | Elevation gain: none | Time: 20 to 30 minutes | Difficulty: very easy | Type: loop

Adams Key is a small island with a rich history. The Cocolobo Fishing Club operated here in the early 20th century and attracted several American presidents. A short loop trail circles the island through the hammock. It's modest as a hike, but ideal if you're combining your visit with kayaking or snorkeling in the surrounding waters. A few picnic tables are available.

Trailhead: Adams Key dock. Private boat access only.

Easy Hikes and Family-Friendly Trails

For families with young children or hikers looking for an easy outing, Convoy Point's Jetty Trail is the natural choice. The jetty's assembled-stone surface isn't suitable for a stroller, but kids as young as 4 or 5 can walk this route easily. The bay views, birds in flight, and possible sighting of a manatee are enough to hold younger children's attention.

The Adams Key loop also works well for families, as long as you arrange boat transportation. The ground is flat, the distance is short, and the island offers a quiet setting. Other kid-friendly activities in the park, including snorkeling over shallow-water reefs, are covered in our guide to visiting Biscayne with kids.

It's best to avoid taking young children on the full Spite Highway in midsummer. Heat, humidity, and mosquitoes make the trip uncomfortable without serious preparation.

Challenging Day Hikes

The full version of Spite Highway, an out-and-back from the dock, is Biscayne's only day hike. The challenge isn't elevation gain. It's the combination of heat, humidity, distance, and no supplies along the route, all after dealing with the boat ride.

If you're looking for steep climbs and views from rocky ridges, let's be direct: Biscayne isn't your park. Its riches lie beneath the water's surface. The physical challenge here takes a different form. Between trail sections, you put on a pair of fins. For the water activities that naturally round out a day in the park, including snorkeling, scuba diving, and mangrove kayaking, see everything to do in Biscayne.

Access, Trailheads, and Parking

Convoy Point (Dante Fascell Visitor Center): From Florida Turnpike, take Exit 6, Speedway Boulevard. Turn left, continue south to SW 328th Street, North Canal Drive, then turn left and drive about 3.7 miles to the center. There's a large free parking lot on site.

Elliott Key: Accessible only by water. From Convoy Point, the motorboat ride takes about 45 minutes. Private operators offer crossings from Homestead. If you're bringing your own boat, mooring buoys are available at Elliott Key Harbor for day and overnight fees. There is no public shuttle.

Adams Key and Boca Chita Key: Private boat access only. Mooring fees apply for anchoring or using a buoy.

Our Access & Transportation guide brings together information about marinas, charter operators, and launch points in the Homestead area.

When Should You Hike in Biscayne?

The ideal window is November through April. Temperatures are pleasant, around 68 to 77°F, mosquito pressure is significantly lower, and the hurricane risk is zero. Hurricane season runs from June through November.

Summer is manageable, but it requires serious preparation. Start before 9 a.m., bring plenty of water, and use strong repellent. The rainy season, from June through September, brings severe thunderstorms in the middle of the afternoon. They're especially dangerous if you're on a boat. Plan to make the return crossing before 2 p.m.

For month-by-month details on temperatures, rainfall, crowds, and wildlife, see our guide to the best times to visit Biscayne.

Which Hike Is Right for You?

Half-day visit, no boat: Convoy Point's Jetty Trail. Allow an hour on the trail, then explore the visitor center and its bay views.

Boat access and a taste of wild nature: Spite Highway Trail on Elliott Key. Choose the short version, 2.5 to 3.1 miles round-trip from the dock, or the full route depending on your fitness and the weather. Add some snorkeling on the reef.

Family with kids: Start with the Jetty Trail. Choose the Adams Key loop if you've arranged the boat.

Birding enthusiast: The Jetty Trail in winter for manatees and herons, or Spite Highway Trail in spring for transatlantic migrants.

Hiker seeking elevation gain and panoramic views: Biscayne probably isn't your first-choice destination. See our overview of Biscayne National Park to decide whether it fits your trip, or combine it with Everglades National Park, a 45-minute drive away, for more variety.

Frequently Asked Questions