Crandon Park

Beautiful South Florida beach with well preserved dunes. Palm tree lines beach provides shade in certain areas. The ocean is very shallow and if you time it right, you get to see the sandbars that form that also create shallow pools that are so much fun for children. There is a road along the sand for biking, roller skating or scooters. It’s also a great place for picnics, as there is a huge grassy park area between the parking lot and the beach with plenty of picnic tables and grills. There is also a playground and little water park for children. A cafe is now open that serves sandwiches, drinks, and surprisingly good conch fritters. Overall a great place to spend the day with the family and friends.

This was one of the best park/beach I’ve been to. It was so peaceful, clean, not a lot of people. It have the grills for barbecue you can have a get together picnic day there. There’s beach chair, lifeguards, and a huge parking lot available. At first I thought it wasn’t safe but there’s police cars around the area. It’s worth going to visit, you’ll get the feeling of being on a vacation staying under the palm trees 🌴 lol just see it as a cheap vacation getaway. One downside we had to pay for parking it doesn’t matter how long you stay you pay the same amount it’s good if you stay all day but it’s not fair if you only visit for one hour.

We were here on an overcast weekday, but it was not crowded at all. There was plenty of space on the beach. Nice sand. Little to no seaweed. Lots of palm trees. In the park area, there are some picnic tables and small grills. PLENTY of parking space. Would recommend.

Can't get tired of walking through this majestic park full of diverse wildlife. The signs warning of crocodiles are relevant as we saw just one croc resting by the water. Plenty of lizards, peacocks, and other birds. Lots of places to sit down and catch some shade.

Awesome place to take pictures and enjoy with your family. This place has beach and beautiful trees to do camping, BBQ, play music, dance, play volleyball... just to have an amazing time. Also you can take beautiful pics... 😉 Maternity photos came out amazing

Beautiful beach, esp in the early morning. Always empty. Great sand. Lots of room, picnic tables, umbrellas, sea gulls, vultures, bikers, joggers... a nice mix... and on the key is fun by itself!

It’s one of the famous park in Miami on the Crandon beach and spread over a large area. It’s located on the key Biscayne. The park has sheds for get together which can be reserved in advance for party’s. It’s also less crowded than other beaches like south Miami beach and better for families outing. Also, the enjoying drive and greenery in this key is nice experience. You will get a lot of parking space which is paid and flat fee of $7 for a day paid through PayByPhone app. The park is open from sunrise to sunset.

Great little beach and park area. There is a ton of parking and it is fairly clean. We went on a holiday weekend so it was destined to be crazy busy. The trash cans were all full to the brim but overall people really kept the beach clean. They don’t allow dogs which is frustrating but overall it was a good time and I would recommend!

Crandon Park is a serene and unpopulated gem that offers a perfect escape from the Miami hustle and bustle. Its tranquil beaches and relatively quiet atmosphere make it the perfect Miami spot. One of my favorite aspects of Crandon Park is its rich history. Originally a coconut plantation, the park was transformed into a public space in the 1940s after being donated by the Matheson family. It's fascinating to stroll through an area with such historical significance, knowing it played a pivotal role in the Southern Florida's development. The blend of natural beauty and historical context makes each visit truly special. Whether you're looking to unwind on the pristine beaches, explore the nature trails, or simply soak in the park's storied past, Crandon Park is a must-visit destination. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a peaceful and enriching experience!

Probably one of the most sirene spots in Miami, especially during sunrise. I've come here plenty, but recently came for my partners KB half marathon, and as he ran I enjoyed the beach, palm trees, sunrise, and blue skies as the sun came out. This place is huge, beautiful and great spot to enjoy Miami's outdoor scene. Key Biscayne is a gem within itself but Crandon Park takes it to a whole other level. I love how the beach area is set up. It's comfortable enough to spend a whole day there exploring all the mangroves, trees and other beauties this spot has to offer.

A great beach park located in Key Biscayne! I've been to many beach parks in South FL and got to come to this one to celebrate one of my best friend's birthdays. He loves this park because it has a lot of trees that he can hang his hammock and slack line on so naturally, he picked this par for his birthday. One of my pet peeves for beaches is when the you have to park far from the beach because I am that girl that brings a bunch of stuff with her but this beach park, it was well worth it. Where we were, the lot was pretty far from the actual beach but there are a lot of things in between the walk like a shelter and skate rink. This beach is a great spot to hang with a big group and, despite it being spring break, this beach wasn't toooo crowded. I was expecting it to be a lot worse than it was but a lot of people told me that the crowd on the Saturday we went was actually a lot more than their usual. Even though it was more populated, you didn't have people and groups side by side on the beach so I call that a win. For parking, they use the parking app and we paid a little over $10 for a whole day at the beach, which is not too bad. If you leave during close (around sundown), beware of all the traffic you'll probably hit on the way home. Other than parking, the only other fee we paid to go to this park was the toll entrance for entering the Rickenbacker Causeway. Overall, a great beach park!

I discovered another area of this beach. I went to the sand bar area, and was blown away. This will be a new favourite spot of mine. If you have never been, you must go..

Loved the beach... the sand is sooooo soft and nice! The water was super shallow and calm!!!! Loved it!!! The also have shower areas.. there are of lot of leaves as you enter the water but it was fine! Once past them, you're fine - the water is clean.

In A Nutshell: -Crandon Park was a good place to hold a triathlon. -There was plenty of parking & it was easy to navigate to. -I like the beautiful beach coastline along the park too. Overall, this is a very popular place for anyone who loves to cycle and/or run.

Crandon Park Beach is a green water beach in Key Biscayne. The beach scene is very family oriented. You'll see kids running around, there's a lot of movement. It's not the quietest of beaches but it's not as loud as South Beach! The water itself is more green then blue and it can get a little murky at times! It's not my favorite but to spend a day with the family away from SoBe craziness is OK! There is plenty of parking. Beware that there's a lot of walking from the parking to the beach if you're hauling coolers, umbrellas, etc. Parking on Saturday was about$10 for a couple of hours..

It's the beach, great for family fun time. Easy to park, then just walk and pick your spot on the sand. I would suggest getting there early. Be respectful of wildlife. They have sectioned off areas where turtles made a nest. Be one with nature.

My favorite beach! Much more quiet than Miami Beach, clean soft sand, clear water, and no seaweed. I always have a good time here. It is also very clean, including the bathrooms and showers.

Located on the beautiful island of Key Biscayne this beach/park has it all for a perfect weekend (or weekday) spent at the beach. There is a park for children, roller skating area, skating, family games, bicycles, (family ones where a few people can sit) you can rent, hot food available for ordering, chairs & umbrellas for rent, plenty of facilities & showers (that although outdated stay pretty clean) - just tons of stuff to do here. The water is beautiful & there is beach service from Oceanside, you can also order online via a QR code someone can provide you. Side note: they may take a minute to get to you but they are there (tip) sit on an open lounge chair - they will definitely come. - Although they have a lot to choose from on the boardwalk area that is on the North Side mostly it he food can be somewhat pricey, so if you're staying for the entire day bringing a cooler with food is a great idea. Maybe sure you can carry your stuff comfortably the walk from the parking lot to the beach is long.

Really nice beach outside Miami. The beachfront is generous, lots of sand. Swimming was fantastic. Public bathrooms were typical public bathrooms. Miami skyline, city vibe while being in an amazing beach setting.

This is a pretty nice beach to visit. Things I like: it's big and not at all crowded. When we were there, there was a ton of seaweed right at the water line, which made swimming not super fun. You do have to pay for parking (like most places in Miami). I believe it was $5. They have large restroom facilities with showers too.

We really enjoyed this low-key park and beach. We visited on a Sunday and the beach was chock full of families having cookouts, playing in the sand or laying out with a book in hand. It definitely felt like a family, laid back kind of beach which was just what we were looking for. The beach is about a 15-20 minute drive from Miami and features covered gathering areas, plenty of picnic benches, a playground, indoor bathrooms, well-groomed beaches and plentiful palm trees along the beach for shade. The palm trees close to the water were the star of the show for us. We showed up with one towel and luck out finding a spot in the shade where we could still enjoy the breeze and sounds of the ocean. Note that this is not a dog-friendly beach. If you're hungry, I suggest grabbing a guava croissant and some empanadas up the road at Flour Weirdoughs for a perfect picnic on the beach. There is a tidy paved trail that connects the park to several restaurants down the street in Key Biscayne.

I love this place, especially the State Park located at the end of the Island. I invite everyone to experience it and also help State Parks continue protecting the environment and its surroundings for our benefit. I loved the visit I did a few days back, thanks to an acquaintance I met in Calle 8 that same day; I already call him friend, to be honest. So, my friend and I met in Calle 8 a few hours prior, and he said he wanted to explore Miami. I was a little busy, but when life needs to happen, I'm up for it. My "one-hour break" became three; it was all worth it. He said he wanted nature, So I brought him here for some of it. He was going to Puerto Rico, so I wanted to give him a pre-PR-intro. He loved it. I mean, look at what we got here in our city. I lost my favorite water bottle, and I gained so much more than I could imagine. Great date spot, guys! But don't overcrowd the place, so when I get to go, there is still some peaceful site to enjoy with my future gal.

This is more expensive than my normal beach day, what with the toll to get on Key Biscayne and the parking rate at the beach, but it is so well worth it. It is so relaxing. This is the only beach in South Florida I've been to where you can actually lay under a coconut palm on the sand just feet away from shore. My boyfriend likes shade and I like sun, so we nestled partly beneath a tree for the perfect compromise. People had hammocks tied to trees, and for a while I forgot I lived here because it seems like too much of a paradise. I was confused by a woman who seemed madly rushing back and forth on an ATV all day to later find out she was delivering food! I thought that was pretty cool.

Nice and clean private beach. If you don't want to be around a lot of people, this is the beach to go too.

Why are we not maintaining this beautiful beach? Get a muck rake, clean up the seaweed. It's foul and nasty! Do that, this is the best beach!

Crandon Park is a park in Miami occupying the northern part of Key Biscayne. It is connected to mainland Miami via the Rickenbacker Causeway. When we go there it's a beautiful drive along the causeway. I can't tell you how many times I've been there. It's like when people come into Manhattan to spend the day at Central Park. I was visiting this park since childhood. I remember when they had the Zoo there! In 1981 the Crandon Park Zoo was moved from the park to a location south of Miami, and became the Miami MetroZoo. That's where I took my daughter. When you visit for the day bring the usual. We take drinks, food, a change of clothes, sun tan lotion and comfortable shoes. The rules change so I would look them up before I pack the car. Some parks no longer allow umbrellas. We always brought a couple folding chairs too. I'm recommending if you're new to the area. I would think Crandon Park would be a low risk Covid Activity!

This was one of the best park/beach I've been to. It was so peaceful, clean, not a lot of people. It have the grills for barbecue you can have a get together picnic day there. There's beach chair, lifeguards, and a huge parking lot available. At first I thought it wasn't safe but there's police cars around the area. It's worth going to visit, you'll get the feeling of being on a vacation staying under the palm trees lol just see it as a cheap vacation getaway. One downside we had to pay for parking it doesn't matter how long you stay you pay the same amount it's good if you stay all day but it's not fair if you only visit for one hour.

I caught a ride to the park last weekend for a skate meetup with a local group. I'd been to a previous one at an outdoor rink closer to my home, but I would gladly make the drive regularly. The park is beautiful and welcoming, and the rink itself offers plentiful shade and a nice covered seating area to hang out with friends and take shelter from the rain, if necessary. The pavement on the rink is a little shifty, which isn't surprising--I assume it's been in use for a while, but the whole group had fun. It's located just off the beach, which was absolutely gorgeous. Perfect for relaxing after a long day of rolling around. Parking is cheap, accessible through a pay to park app, and there's a LOT of it. There's actually more than one lot--if you're headed to the rink (or the adorable carousel), you want the South lot. I'm looking forward to visiting again!

Crandon Park is located on the northern side of Key Biscayne. It spans 800 acres and has a beach, a tennis center, a nature center, and a golf course. I come here for their beautiful beach because it's clean and quiet without the tourist crowd. It's hidden from the street and almost feels like a private beach even on a Saturday. When driving down the Rickenbacker Causeway toward Crandon Park, I love catching the gorgeous bay views of Brickell and Downtown Miami. I came here a little bit late in the day, but a couple hours was enough as I found a spot in the middle of four palm trees and enjoyed nice views of the beach and clear blue skies. Parking was easy because the large parking lot was filled to only 25% capacity. Parking costed $7.27 using the Paybyphone app. In between the parking lot and the beach is a spacious and grassy area filled with benches, pavilions, and grills for barbecuing which is great for groups. There's also a large restroom building on one side of the beach. Overall, I love this beach! It's a great way to escape the city.

A really nice park with pony rides, carousel, restrooms, and an excellent beach. Parking is $7 for several hours, and there's lots of spots. The walk to the beach is about 10 minutes. And the beach is top notch. Paths and landscaping are beautiful. It's a very clean place. There are always a lot of family parties here.

One of my all time favorite parks in Miami! During the week it's not crowded and you can almost feel like having the park to yourself. It's always a vibe at Crandon park make sure to explore because there is so much to discover! Parking is 5$ for a full day

Crandon Park is located on the north side of Key Biscayne which is a barrier island. 17,000 acres of land was purchased in 1908 by William John Matheson who was a wealthy aniline dye businessman. On it he created the largest coconut plantation in the United States. By 1915, 42 workers were farming 36,000 coconut and tropical fruit trees. In 1921 Matheson introduced the Malay Dwarf Coconut tree to the United States and it has since become the most common coconut plant in Florida. By 1933 the price of coconuts had dropped and the plantation stopped shipping them. After Commodore Matheson died, his heirs donated 900 acres of the land to Miami on the condition that it be turned into a park. In order to allow people to use the park, Chairman of the County Commission, Charles H. Crandon, arranged for the Rickenbacker Causeway to be built to connect Key Biscayne to mainland Miami. After a delay caused by WWII, the causeway and the park officially opened on November 9, 1947. I came to the park to explore the old Crandon Park Zoo. Legend has it that a traveling roadside circus broke down in Miami and the county commissioners purchased three monkeys, one goat, and two black bears to create Miami's first zoo in Crandon Park. More animals were added in the 1950's and 60's and eventually there were 1,000 animals. A small train ride was added that took visitors around the zoo on a mile and half long track. On September 8, 1965 Hurricane Betsy slammed into the zoo drowning over 200 animals in their cages. Other animals died in a panic. The threat of another hurricane and outcry over the steel and concrete enclosures led to moving the zoo to a safer location. The Crandon Park zoo closed in 1980 and Miami Metro Zoo opened in 1981 on the former Richmond Naval Air Station. In 1991 the old zoo was turned into a botanical garden. Inside the garden you can see the old cages and remnants of the former zoo. The only animals left are free roaming, iguanas, cats, rabbits, turtles, and peacocks. Some of the old cages have been painted making for interesting photos. In addition to the garden, Crandon Park has two miles of beach on the Atlantic Ocean, a tennis center, a marina, a golf course, picnic shelters, a carousel, kayaking, eco adventures, the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center, and Bear Cut Preserve. Parking is $5 weekday, $7 weekends and holidays. There is something for everyone at one of the most beautiful spots in Miami.

Crandon Park (and beach) provides a chill and relaxing beach experience. If you have small kids, this is your beach. Due to the presence of a reef breaking the waves off shore, the water laps on the beach like a lake. The deepening of the water is incredibly gradual, making it the perfect spot for young kids to play. That said, the beach wasn't overrun with kiddos when we were there. In fact, it was pretty sparsely attended. Even though it doesn't seem to attract the huge tourist crowd, there's still a life guard, loungers, and all the usual beach amenities. There's even a few palm trees at beach level so you can actually sit in the shade if you fancy (this incredibly pale skinned girl does, indeed, fancy). The park beyond the beach provides plenty of picnic tables, and large expanses of lawn. Careful where you step on the law, though, as we saw tons of iguanas scurrying about (they scamper off, the minute you come close). We also saw some peacocks while we were there! All in all, a beautiful place to spend any afternoon. Get to it!

This is an awesome beach park! There's plenty of paid parking (Which can be paid for by the app) and on the weekdays, there's barely anyone there so it's like you have entire sections of the beach to yourself! There are groups of thin palm trees where you can hang your hammock to have a super nice time. The water is warm and clean (sometimes with seaweed) but there are some areas without that much seaweed at all and it's always a nice swim. My husband and I like to go paddleboarding here with our baby and we have so much fun. It's definitely worth the trip!

I had not been to Crandon Park in YEARS. I had always associated it with large & loud family gatherings with lots of kids, too-loud merengue playing & a poor lechon or 2 on a spit. Not really my jam, especially when I'm after some beach therapy. Recently, after failing to find parking along Key Biscayne, I kept driving & decided to check out Crandon. All I can say is WOW. The beach was beautiful & serene, water was perfect. Tons of sandbars & kite surfers in the distance. It was a beautiful beach day & I will absolutely be back soon.

My family has been coming to this beach since I was a little girl. My own kids grew up coming here as well. There are a few reasons why I brought them here when they were young. The most important reason is that Lot 4 which is also called South Beach, has huge sand bars where children are free to run and play without any danger, the water itself is always very calm and never too deep in this beach, and there are always lifeguards on duty. Aside from the safety factors, this beach is so relaxing. There are usually plenty of families enjoying their outing, and the atmosphere is very chilled. I love the fact that they have a grill where they sell burgers, hotdogs and drinks, there is plenty of outdoor seating to enjoy a bite to eat. There are also chairs and umbrellas for rent for those days when I'm too lazy to pack up my truck. There are also plenty of grills and gazebos for families that want to enjoy a bbq right next to the ocean. One of the greatest assets of this beach is that we visit the grounds of the old Miami Zoo. There are still some original zoo cages, plenty of wild life, especially iguanas and peacocks all over this beautiful park. The park is adjacent to the beach. I highly recommend a stroll through there. On the weekends, they have a gorgeous antique carousel working, this is a treat for children of all ages... Tip: If you plan to use their bbq grills on a holiday, make sure you arrive early. Every single grill gets taken.

I like the park but the reason I went was because someone recommended me the beach and the beach is dirty and smelly I really don't want to go back, I might go to the park and the others side of the beach.

Cranston is great for kids. The shallow water goes out forever, no big waves and there are tons of tide pools for kids of all ages. It's very civilized in terms of easily renting chairs, umbrellas and having food delivered. Sea weed was bad this time of year but it's a nuisance but a danger. Keep in mind there is north and south beach. The south has an abandoned zoo next to the parking lot nice for a walk or biking. The north has the nature center. Both have plenty of oarking ( pay by phone app) pavilions for parties and grilling, bike rentals and wide beaches. You can also rent cabanas. A nice park. Only four stars cause the beach itself being on the bay is not as nice as others.

So here is what you get when you marry the relaxed island of Hawaii with the spice of Panamá, Cranston Park. Coconut Palms, cool breezes, sugary sand, clean waters of the Atlantic Ocean & Caribbean Sea. Clean parking, cabanas, excellent views, jogging trail, biking trails, drinking spots, eatery, shopping, tanned bodies. Picnicking couples, children catching frisbees, couples strolling hand in hand, young bodies, old bodies, every body have a great day in tropical shangri la.

Looooved this place! Well, besides the hefty parking fee. But, great recreational area or just a nice place to go sit and enjoy the beach & watch the sunset! But, parking COSTS! Especially on the weekend! Everywhere else in the city, you can select a certain time frame & the amount will adjust accordingly... it usually isn't more than $1.75 per hour. However, THIS area costs a whopping $7.25!! You'd think that would be for the entire day, right? Wrong... maybe it was just because it was the end of the day, but still, I got a notice at 6:30pm that my time was expired! I only parked there at 5pm! So, over $7 for less than 2 hours??? Rip off. And the lot was not even 1/4 full. So it isn't like there was even a high demand. However- it was MUCH more quiet & less crowded than the other public beaches towards the top of the key & mainland where parking is free (and packed) & the area is much busier. This area has much to offer. You can rent the pagodas/pavilions for parties or bbqs. There are lifeguard stands, shower stations, restrooms & it is a very pleasant full blown park area with grass, a sort of boardwalk area & then the beach front for several miles. Nice sand to walk on & pretty clear water to wade or swim. I also got the luxury of seeing some roaming peacocks! So, it isn't like the cost will break the bank to park, and it is a price to pay to hang out at a very lovely park/beach area. It was waaay better than the free parking public access closer to the mainland, that is for sure.

This has been a family favorite for decades! During low tide the beach is shallow enough for kids to splash around while parents relax at the shoreline. Aside from the beach there are plenty of other activities. There are bike rentals, picnic tables, a splash pad, a carousel, playground, skating rink, and a beautiful garden where you might see wild turkeys, iguanas, and alligators!

Great beach to spend the day at! There's plenty of parking (pay by phone) and isn't usually crowded. There are two entrances (North and South). If you go to the South entrance, they have lots of 'amusement' space - playground, snack bar (not open when I went), and they even had an event with a petting zoo and inflatable games going on The beach is great although there is a bit of seaweed and low tide makes the sand very far from the water. They have showers, picnics tables, and plenty of sidewalk to bike/walk down! This park is one of my favorite places to spend the day relaxing away from the crowds

The beach was very calm and serene on a weekday late afternoon. The water was calm, the weather sunny and beautiful. There was a nice breeze and birds chirping. You can see cruise ships sailing out towards their destinations. There are a ton of beach areas with benches to rent for a group play day. The bathrooms were clean and tidy. The water was murky but there was a sign before entering that indicated that the seaweed level was high. Plenty of parking. $5/day on weekdays and I believe $7 on weekends. I appreciate that the cellular reception was great. All in all, this was a nice place to spend time working remotely!!

A less busy and more secluded beach area! It's a pretty nice beach that doesn't attract the usual large tourist crowd that is largely at Miami Beach. This is a very casual beach and you can rent two beach chairs with an umbrella for $25. The palm trees make it a very beautiful sight and I really liked the view of this beach. This beach is pretty large and in some areas of the beach you can rent kayaks and canoes! We didn't go while we were there, but I saw that there were spots where I believe you can do so. Although, in the winter time at least be aware that at this beach there are a lot of tiny black bugs that will go everywhere on your body if you just lie down on the beach. These bugs don't really do anything, but they can get annoying as they just stay on your body.

Pretty and peaceful, but deserted.

I remember two years ago this place used to be the most beautiful places I ever been. Used to look like the paradise. Now it is completely disgusting. I don't know what happened to it, no one is taking care. You can't even get close to the water anymore, it is full covered of dead seaweed and you can smell it from far away. Full of junk as well. Looks terrible. It is really sad. Used to be my favorite spot and now I can't even see the ocean anymore.

Enjoyed a nice relaxing day at the beach here! Crandon Park has multiple parking lots that use a pay-by-phone app or machine at the front to pay. There are plenty of picnic tables and pavilions with grills so it's a great place to come with the family or for a party, and there's a large restroom building. The beach itself is beautiful with palm trees everywhere (if you get there early and snag a spot under one you have shade all day). Unfortunately they're still having issues with seaweed on the shore, which causes the sulfur smell. I heard one of the staff mention that they're doing their best to keep it cleaned up, which was nice to hear. Overall we enjoyed our day there, I only wish the seaweed was gone so we could have gone in the water longer. Hopefully next time we go the shore will be cleaner!

Idk if it's the time of the year but, this beach is disgusting. There's a few feet of mud like egg smelling rotting seaweed with trash you'd have to trudge through before the water. There was no way I would go in. The stench was unbearable. We had to leave. The parking is non-refundable. I do not remember this beach being like this year's ago but, the horrible reputation it has now is for a reason. Save yourself the disappointment.

A pretty nice park that was not very busy as it was RAINING. The pavilions​ were nice but pricey to rent. A consideration when renting one is to get one close to the bathrooms otherwise it is a good walk and that might not be good for kids who don't plan ahead. They have grills so bring your own charcoal. I think the rain put a damper on the whole experience. HAHA. If you don't mind the toll to get out there then this is a good place to go. Pay by phone parking and a big beach. Come on down and it is a good place to go after the Aquarium. @kodiak_kuisine

What a great beach getaway! Truly paradise only a short drive from downtown Miami. I recommend getting there early and reserving a cabana to really take advantage of the amenities. Volleyball courts and swingsets make it a fun time for the whole family. The views and sunsets are amazing

We came here as Virgina Beach Park sucked major. It wasn't really crowded as it was on a weekday. It was a short walk from the parking lot of to the beach. Parking was $5 on weekdays. The beach before the shoreline was very scenic with the coconut trees. The beach itself was very dirty as far as trash and seaweed. The water had tons of seaweed. I never seen so much seaweed in my life on the beach shoreline and water. There was no sea slugs or clams. The waves were minimal. I guess I am more used to the natural clean and big waves of Pensacola Beach/Gulf Shore Beach.

Clean crisp beautiful park & beach. Wjiye soft sand. Low tides makes it awsome for floats. Palm tree choices for our hammock. They offer pay by phone. No more entranace attedee holding up the line. I recommend and will be back

People forget about Key Biscayne but I find it to be one of the finest gems Miami has to offer. During certain months, the beach can appear to be a bit moshy but the exclusivity of open space should not be dismissed so quickly. For the record, there's a Ritz-Carlton nearby and it's heavenly to say the least. A lot of people park here and have family barbecues or gatherings by the beach on sunny weekends. It gets crowded during the busier months earlier on in the day so the best rule of thumb is to arrive before 11am. It's more intimate than South Beach for sure plus it's a nice ride through the causeway. Plenty of people exercise throughout the park and they're known to host events throughout the year supporting different causes. I like State Parks and I support this oceanfront Florida beach and park for their versatility and function.

I'm updating my review and deducting a star. In my initial review of Crandon Park, I wrote about a more hidden area of the park called "Crandon Park Gardens", which is actually the former Crandon Park Zoo. I was always enamored with this section of Crandon Park, and my previous review explains why. Several other Yelpers have mentioned the gardens in their reviews as well, and wrote about how much they also appreciated this area of Crandon Park. Imagine my unhappy surprise when I rode through Crandon Park Gardens yesterday afternoon, only to find that they've recently completely torn out 2 of the large, old animal cages near the main entrance to this unique park! About 1/2 way in I noticed that they're starting to erect aluminum railings around some of the former animal pit and lagoon areas, and towards the back section, there was another space that was once home to a long row of concrete and steel animal cages from when this facility housed the old zoo, and 1/2 of those have been torn out as well. To boot, it appears they're starting to put items here that the city isn't using anymore, as there was a dunking machine from a carnival or fair, laying on it's side. I was really surprised to see the changes they're making, as Crandon Park Gardens was always a bit of a time capsule; One could come here to see a bit of Miami's past from when this used to be the zoo and it was almost as if time stood still here and you could easily picture in your mind what it was like when this place was packed with families, coming to see the animals that were on display. Also, you could see the cages and animal housings that were still standing, realize how cruel life must've been for many of the animals that were housed and put on display here, and realize how far we've come when one compares this to newer zoo facilities. Sadly, it looks like that's all disappearing, and this once hidden and secluded gem which contained a reminder of our city's past is now going to be just another generic space with walking paths, aluminum railings and nothing to see except an old, discarded dunking machine. Luckily I grabbed lots of photos last year and posted a few on Crandon Park's listing on Yelp, so people can still see and remember how special this place once was.

Hung out at Crandon Park on a sunny Saturday afternoon. Quality Crandon Park is a very nice recreational area with lots of picnic huts, a marina, tennis courts, and a large beach with plenty of space to relax. I spent my time in the beach area, which was busy, but luckily is large enough for you to still have plenty of room to yourself. The water is very clear, but the ocean floor is almost completely covered in seaweed in the shallow areas. The beach itself is definitely the highlight, but be warned the sand gets hot fast and there is little space to cool of your feet. Quantity The beach area at Crandon Park is very large, but even so it tends to be a very popular spot. You can have space, but you will never find yourself isolated on this beach. The picnic area is very busy and it fills up fast, I believe you need to reserve the huts for larger parties. Value On the weekend it costs $7.00 for a car to enter ($5.00 on a weekday). It is probably a little bit higher than you would want, but for a large parking lot with ease of finding spaces it is not the worst. Ambiance Crandon Park is about halfway on Key Biscayne, right past Virginia Key, but before the town itself. The park is large and splits into what is called North Beach and South Beach (not to be confused with the actual South Beach). The South end has more playgrounds and is generally more geared for children as well as better access to some of the water activities. Across from the beach area are the tennis courts, golf course, and the marina. The picnic and beach area is where you will typically find the larger crowds. The picnic area is almost as long as the beach and there are lots of huts with grills and tables. The area has more grass and trees, but tends to draw a good amount of gnats and mosquitos so be prepared with bug spray. The beach is gorgeous and has lots of sand, which is not the case for many of the other Key Biscayne beaches. However, it has lots of sand and much less palm trees so expect the sand to heat up fast. The water looks nice and clear, but the issue is the amount of seaweed that is present. You need to go a good deal out to avoid the mass of sea life, luckily the water is very shallow a good way out. Crowd Not really the best crowd. The park tends to draw large groups that can be very loud and intrusive. Expect to hear music blasting from all over. Also, you will find a lot of families with little children whom they have minimal control over. Service This beach has lifeguard staff as well as plenty of park security. It means there is a bit more restrictions, but also ensures both safety and cleanliness. Parking Lots of parking, but try and pick a spot that has an easy access point to the beach or near the picnic area you reserved. Extra Probably the perfect beach to run around in the sand throwing the football or frisbee. The water is not really the greatest and the crowds can be obnoxious, but still very pretty and can be relaxing if you get to the beach early.

Nice thing about this place is that there's plenty of space to grill out there are also less animals trying to join you for lunch. The beach is shallow and has a sandbar which is kids love playing on. Love the palm trees on the beach, great for a hammock setup like our friends had. Stars off because the playground was closed for construction yet many kids were playing on it. That's screams dangerous to me.

Beautiful park. Well maintained on the beach side. The green side... needs better maincuring.

We were looking forward to a great family day at the beach. We were told we had to take our tent down. Still trying to figure out why? We were not near the lifeguard tower and stayed way back by the trees. We were told we can go rent umbrellas but no tent. we had grandma with us and the sun is to brutal for her. What happened to the day when we could have a family day at the beach without spending to much. $7 parking is fine but to make us rent umbrellas was ridiculous. Can't Go anywhere in Miami without having to spend so much money and now the beach is one of them. Makes me so upset Because there is no valid excuse.