Biscayne National Park - Elliott Key at Biscayne National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

Environmental education building at Elliott Key.

Visitor facilities at Elliott Key include this environmental education building with picnic shelter below.

The park's largest island was once a thriving community of pioneers engaged in pineapple farming, sponging, wrecking and other pursuits. Today the island offers camping, picnicking, swimming, wildlife watching and the park's only hiking trail.

Camping
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 served - reservations are not accepted for individual campsites. A group campsite with barbecue grills and picnic tables is located on the east side (ocean side) of the island, approximately a 1/3 mile walk from the harbor, and may be reserved by calling 305-230-1144 ext. 3071. A fire ring 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.

Picknicking
Picnic tables and barbecue grills are located throughout the campgrounds and around the harbor.

Restrooms
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.

Swimming and Wading
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 shoes are recommended at all times to protect feet.

Walking and Hiking
A mile-long loop trail starts on the bay side of the island at the north end of the campground. Due to damage from the 2005 hurricane season, the boardwalk on the east side of the island is closed. Check with park staff on the island for alternative routes. Spite Highway, named by park opponents just before the park was established (learn more), runs approximately six miles down the center of the island, and affords a good opportunity to see a variety of habitats in the martime forest.

Fishing
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. A fishing license may be required, and regulations apply...learn more.

Things to Remember:

There is no backcountry camping in the park - camp in designated areas only.
The open grass area north of the environmental education center building is used as a helicopter-landing zone in case of emergency. Camping is prohibited in this area.
There are no sales facilities of any kind on the island.
There is no trash pickup on the island. Campers and visitors must pack out all trash.
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 can be prevalent year round.