Biscayne National Park
Within sight of Miami, yet worlds away, Biscayne protects a rare combination of aquamarine waters, emerald islands, and fish-bejeweled coral reefs.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Paddling
Outdoors
Boating and kayaking near Miami Beach
Lakes, reservoirs and rivers near Miami Beach for boating, kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding.
Good to know: Life jackets are required for children on most waters, and many lakes require an invasive-species inspection or a launch fee.
Within 30 miles (1)
30 to 75 miles (3)
Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge
The Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1951 under the authority of the Migratory Bird Conservation Act of 1929 with a 50-year license agreement between the State of Florida and the U.S.
- Biking
- Birding
- Boating
- Educational Programs
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
Everglades National Park
Established in 1947 as the first national park created for its biodiversity, Everglades National Park protects 1.5 million acres of wetland, forest, and marine habitats and the native plants and animals that call it home.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Paddling
- Picnicking
- Wildlife viewing
Big Cypress National Preserve
The freshwaters of the Big Cypress Swamp, essential to the health of the neighboring Everglades, support the rich marine estuaries along Florida's southwest coast.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- History
- Hunting
- Paddling
75 miles and farther (13)
Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area
The Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area (ONA) is part of the Bureau of Land Management’s 27-million acre National Conservation Lands; and the only complete unit east of the Mississippi River.
- Boating
- Diving
- Hiking
- History
- Nature education
- Paddling
- Photography
- Picnicking
Lake Okeechobee
As lake, waterway and surrounding countryside, Okeechobee shows the many faces of Florida. A canopy of moss-draped live oaks hides clusters of sabal palms. A tangle of water plants marks the boundary where wetland meets lakeshore.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Water sports
St Lucie South
St. Lucie Campground provides a relaxing camping experience on the St. Lucie Canal, part of the 152 mile Okeechobee Waterway that spans South Florida from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico.
- Birding
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Hiking
Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge
Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1996 under provisions of the Arizona-Florida Land Exchange Act of 1988.
- Biking
- Birding
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Non-Motorized Boating
- Wildlife viewing
Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
An amazing world exists within the pristine mangrove-fringed waterways, uplands and freshwater wetlands that can be found only a few miles away from downtown Naples.
- Boating
- Camping
- Diving
- Hiking
- History
- Paddling
- Photography
- Ranger programs
National Key Deer Refuge
NATIONAL KEY DEER REFUGE The National Key Deer Refuge was established in 1957 to protect and preserve the national interest the Key deer and other wildlife resources in the Florida Keys.
- Boating
- Ranger programs
W.P. Franklin N
Visitors flock to W.P. Franklin Campground for its well-kept facilities and location on the Caloosahatchee River, where campers can fish, boat and take it easy in sunny southwest Florida.
- Birding
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Kayaking
W.P. Franklin South Recreation Area
WP Franklin South Recreation Area is a day use area located on the Caloosahatchee River adjacent to the WP Franklin Lock and Dam.
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Kayaking
- Picnicking
Caloosahatchee National Wildlife Refuge
The refuge was established by President Woodrow Wilson on July 1, 1920, through Executive Order 3299 as a ". . . preserve and breeding ground for native birds" upon the recommendation of Thomas and Mina Edison.
- Boating
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
As soon as you step into the waters of the Florida Keys, you have entered Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
- Boating
- Diving
- Fishing
- History
- Paddling
- Photography
- Ranger programs
- Snorkeling
Matlacha Pass National Wildlife Refuge
The islands contain two basic vegetative zones, upland sand ridges and mangroves. Several islands of the Matlacha Pass NWR are used as roosting and nesting sites for a variety of colonial water birds including the brown pelican, great…
- Boating
Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge
Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1938 as a haven for great white herons, migratory birds, and other wildlife.
- Boating
- Paddling
J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge
J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, on the subtropical barrier island of Sanibel in the Gulf of America along Florida’s west coast, is part of the largest undeveloped mangrove ecosystem in the United States.
- Biking
- Birding
- Boating
- Educational Programs
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Motor Boat
- Nature education
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Miami Beach. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
More outdoors near Miami Beach
Questions
Where is the closest place for boating & paddling near Miami Beach?
Biscayne National Park (National Park Service), about 24 miles south of Miami Beach as the crow flies. Next are Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge (47 mi) and Everglades National Park (56 mi).
When is the best time for boating & paddling near Miami Beach?
Based on Miami Beach’s average highs, all year. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Who manages these places?
Federal agencies including Fish and Wildlife Service, US Army Corps of Engineers, National Park Service. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.