While biking the 15 miles of off-road bicycling trails or paddling along lush mangrove forests on the Oleta River, it is difficult to believe Oleta River State Park exists in the shadow of downtown Miami.
At just over a thousand acres, this natural oasis—Florida’s largest urban park—is a haven for mountain bikers, paddlers, anglers, swimmers and for families out to enjoy a picnic along scenic Biscayne Bay. Feel free to release yourself from the stress of the city at one of the picnic areas or unwind at the end of a fishing pole.
There are rustic, air-conditioned cabins, too, along with a youth campground for organized groups. The park is also a welcome stop for long-distance paddlers on the 1,515-mile Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail.
Experiences
Bicycling
Oleta River State Park currently has over 10 miles of challenging, intermediate mountain bike trails. For the beginner, there are over 4 miles of novice trails and 3 miles of paved trail. The paved trail also offers great conditions for roller blading. Helmets are highly recommended for all cyclists and Florida law requires helmets for cyclists age 16 and under.
Florida Bicycle Trails - A Guide to Florida's Top Paved and Off-Road Trails
Camping, Primitive Group
The Primitive Group Camping Area is available for organized youth groups 18 and under, and secondarily to adult groups. One chaperone is required for every ten youth campers. There are three primitive campsites which can accommodate 30 campers each. Each site is equipped with two tables, a fire circle, restroom and cold water shower. There is no electricity in the primitive camp. There is a community pavilion for the primitive group camps to share. Pets are not allowed in the primitive group camp. A group representative must check in before 5:00 p.m. on the day of arrival. Firewood is available at the Ranger Station. Call the park for more information and reservations at (305) 919-1844.
Paddling
Canoeing and kayaking is available at the park. Visitors enjoy paddling on the calm waters of Biscayne Bay adjacent from the Haulover Inlet. Several routes to choose from consist of open water and mangrove trails and the Oleta River.
Paddling tours and rentals are available
Fishing
The fishing pier is always a popular site for fishing as well as the shores of the park along the Intracoastal Waterway that borders the eastern boundary of the park. All fishing within the park must conform to regulations concerning size, number, method of capture and season. A fishing license may be required. More information is available at the Florida Wildlife Commission’s Fishing in Florida.
Hiking
We would love for you to join us as we bring in the New Year with a one hour ranger led hike through the beautiful nature trail in Oleta River State Park. You will be guided by a Park Ranger and will have the opportunity to learn about the history and all the local flora and fauna that Oleta River State Park has to offer. Come out and experience the real Florida in one of the largest urban parks in the country! Pets will be welcome at the 11 a.m. hike to enjoy a nice walk while their humans learn all about the park!
Mountain Biking
Oleta River State Park currently has over 10 miles of challenging, intermediate mountain bike trails.
Florida Bicycle Trails - A Guide to Florida's Top Paved and Off-Road Trails
Picnicking
Nine covered picnic pavilions may be rented by reservation. The largest pavilion, "White Ibis," houses 24 picnic tables and includes electric. The rental rate is $160.50 per day, including tax. Eight smaller pavilions each house 10 picnic tables and one very small pavilion has two picnic tables. Water is available at the nearby restrooms. The rental rate for the nine smaller pavilions is $133.75 per day, including tax and the rental rate for the small pavilion is $53.50 per day, including tax. There is a $250 refundable cleanup deposit on the White Ibis and $200 refundable cleanup deposit on all other pavilion rentals that must be in the form of a personal or business check. Contact the park office for availability and reservations. Certain pavilions are ADA-accessible. Please call the park office at 305-919-1846 to reserve the accessible pavilions.
Swimming
Visitors can enjoy the sandy beach and swim in the saltwater lagoon off Biscayne Bay. Please remember that lifeguards are not present on the beach, so swim at your own risk.
Amenities
Cabins
Fourteen quaint little cabins, with covered porches and picnic tables, provide a great place to relax, with the convenience of being near shopping, restaurants and entertainment in Miami. Most cabins are equipped with one double bed, a bunk bed and air conditioning. Exceptions are Cabin 2, with one double bed only, and Cabin 3 with two sets of bunk beds. Cabin 1 is ADA-accessible. Linens are not provided. While cabins have no kitchens or bathrooms, a restroom with hot showers is located nearby.
For the guest's relaxation, televisions and phones are not provided.
Reservations may be made up to 11 months in advance through ReserveAmerica. Book Online or call (800) 326-3521 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) or TDD (888) 433-0287. Pets are not permitted in cabins.
There is a minimum two nights stay in cabins on weekends and holidays, either Friday and Saturday night, or Saturday and Sunday nights. A single Friday or Saturday night may be reserved only if the following Saturday or Sunday night is already reserved.
Cabin Rental: $55 per night, plus tax, plus a non-refundable $6.70 reservation fee.
Accessible Amenities
Oleta River State Park is committed to providing a variety of accessible amenities to ensure that all its visitors can enjoy a piece of “The Real Florida.” Those amenities include:
Beach wheelchairs
Beach Access by mobi-mats
Canoe/kayak launch
Restrooms
Elevator for Blue Moon
Portions of the butterfly garden
Picnic pavilion and benches
Grills
Fishing pier
One cabin
Beach
Come relax or play on our beach. Please remember that lifeguards are not present on the beach, so swim at your own risk.
Gardens
The Oleta River State Park Butterfly Garden is a beautiful 0.4 Acre area just west of Parking lot 6 in the park. The garden has a wide variety of native plants that attract butterflies year round and signage allows visitors to learn the names of the plants that are in the garden. Butterflies that are common in the garden are the Zebra Longwing, Gulf Frittilary, Cloudless Sulphur, Large Orange Sulphur and the Atala Butterfly. For the best butterfly action it is good to be in the garden right after a light rain when the sun comes out and butterfly tours can be requested through the park office. The Butterfly Garden is beautifully maintained by the hard working Friends of Oleta River State Park and many volunteers associated with them.
Picnic Pavilion
Nine covered picnic pavilions may be rented by reservation. The largest pavilion, "White Ibis," houses 24 picnic tables and includes electric. The rental rate is $160.50 per day, including tax. Eight smaller pavilions each house 10 picnic tables and one very small pavilion has two picnic tables. Water is available at the nearby restrooms. The rental rate for the nine smaller pavilions is $133.75 per day, including tax and the rental rate for the small pavilion is $53.50 per day, including tax. There is a $250 refundable cleanup deposit on the White Ibis and $200 refundable cleanup deposit on all other pavilion rentals that must be in the form of a personal or business check. Contact the park office for availability and reservations. Certain pavilions are ADA-accessible. Please call the park office at 305-919-1846 to reserve the accessible pavilions.
