Crandon Park Beach is a two-mile public beach within Crandon Park, a Miami-Dade County park on Key Biscayne, Florida. This guide covers hours, parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips for planning your trip.
This guide was last updated in August 2026.
Quick facts
| Opening hours | Park and beach: sunrise to sunset, daily. Nature Center: 9 am to 3 pm daily |
| Entry fee | Free to enter; parking fee charged per vehicle |
| Parking | Reportedly $7 weekdays, $10 weekends and holidays (confirm current rate on arrival) |
| Address | 6747 Crandon Boulevard, Key Biscayne, FL 33149 |
| Nearest transport | Personal vehicle recommended; Miami International Airport is about 35 to 40 minutes away |
| Typical visit length | 3 to 5 hours |
Crandon Park Beach opening hours
Crandon Park and its beach are open daily from sunrise to sunset. The Crandon Park Visitor and Nature Center keeps shorter hours, generally 9 am to 3 pm daily, with free admission.
The main park office operates from 8 am to 5 pm, seven days a week, for general enquiries. Some visitor reports note the gates closing promptly at 6 pm, so it’s worth checking current hours if you’re planning a late-afternoon visit.
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- 🐊 Everglades airboat adventure with chances to see alligators on this guided wetlands experience
- ⚡ Speedboat sightseeing tour combining thrills and skyline views on this high-energy Miami harbour ride
Crandon Park Beach ticket prices
There is no fee to enter Crandon Park or its beach. This was checked on the official website and last updated in August 2026.
Parking is charged per vehicle, and recent visitor reports place the rate at around $7 on weekdays and $10 on weekends and holidays, payable by card at pay stations or through the PayByPhone app. Park guests with a valid disabled parking placard park free. Crandon Park Beach is not included in any bundled city pass scheme such as Go City or CityPASS.
How to get to Crandon Park Beach
Crandon Park is located on Key Biscayne, reached from mainland Miami via the tolled Rickenbacker Causeway. Miami International Airport is roughly 35 to 40 minutes away by car, depending on traffic across the causeway.
There is no direct public transit stop at the beach itself, so most visitors arrive by personal vehicle, rideshare, or bicycle along the causeway’s dedicated bike path.
Parking at Crandon Park Beach
Crandon Park has more than 3,000 parking spaces split between a North entrance and a South entrance, each leading to a separate section of the beach. The South lot is located closer to the Family Amusement Center and Crandon Park Gardens, while the North lot is nearer the Nature Center and marina.
Parking is paid by card at on-site pay stations or through the PayByPhone app; enforcement is reported to be strict, so keep a receipt or active session running. Wheelchair-accessible parking spaces are available at both entrances.
How long to spend at Crandon Park Beach
Most visitors spend 3 to 5 hours at Crandon Park Beach, enough time for swimming, a picnic, and a walk along the waterfront promenade. Its calm, shallow, lagoon-style water and offshore sandbar make it a popular choice for families with young children.
Visitors combining the beach with the Family Amusement Center, Nature Center trails, or Crandon Park Gardens often plan for a full day.
Accessibility at Crandon Park Beach
Beach wheelchairs are available at the park to help visitors with mobility difficulties reach the sand; ask at a lifeguard tower or the park office for details. Paved paths connect the parking areas to the beach for wheelchairs and strollers.
Accessible restrooms and wheelchair-accessible parking spaces are available at both the North and South entrances.
Inside Crandon Park Beach
Crandon Park Beach runs about two miles along the Atlantic side of Key Biscayne, with lifeguards patrolling from 13 elevated towers spaced roughly 150 yards apart in the busiest areas. An offshore sandbar breaks up incoming surf, creating calm, shallow water that slopes gradually from wading depth to 6 to 12 feet depending on the tide.
The South end of the beach is located beside the Family Amusement Center, home to a restored 1949 carousel, an outdoor roller rink, a splash fountain, and a beachfront playground. Nearby, the 200-acre Crandon Park Gardens occupies the site of the former Crandon Park Zoo, with free-roaming iguanas, turtles, and peacocks among the old enclosures.
Toward the North end, the Nature Center offers self-guided trails and a mangrove boardwalk leading to a fossilized reef overlook, alongside the Bear Cut Preserve, a natural study area explored through guided eco-tours. Kayaks, paddleboards, and kiteboards can be rented at the North Concession, though personal watercraft are not permitted to launch from the beach itself.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Timing | Arrive early on weekends and holidays, since the large parking lots still fill up. |
| Crowds | Weekday afternoons are noticeably quieter than weekends, when families and large groups gather. |
| Layout | Choose the North or South entrance depending on which section of the beach you want. |
| Entry process | There is no gate or ticket for the beach itself; pay for parking at a station or via app. |
| On-site logistics | Bring water shoes, since seaweed and occasional sulphur smells can appear near the shore. |
Frequently asked questions about Crandon Park Beach
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is there an entrance fee for Crandon Park Beach? | No. The beach itself is free; only parking carries a charge. |
| Are there lifeguards at Crandon Park Beach? | Yes, patrolling from elevated towers across the busiest sections of the beach. |
| Are flotation devices allowed in the water? | No. County rules prohibit flotation devices at all bathing areas within the park. |
| Can I bring my own kayak or paddleboard? | No. Personal kayaks and paddleboards must be launched from the marina, not the beach. |
| Are dogs allowed at Crandon Park Beach? | Dogs are only permitted in designated areas of the park and must be kept on a leash. |
Things to do near Crandon Park Beach
- Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park: a state park beach with the historic Cape Florida Lighthouse, about 10 minutes away.
- Key Biscayne village centre: shops and restaurants a short drive from the park entrance.
- Crandon Park Tennis Center: 27 courts across the road from the beach, including 13 lit for evening play.
- Crandon Marina: wet slips, a bait and tackle shop, and boat fuel, within the park itself.
- Virginia Key Beach Park: a beach and nature park on the way back toward the mainland, about 15 minutes away.
What to visit tomorrow
- South Beach (Lummus Park): Miami Beach’s best-known stretch of sand, roughly 35 to 40 minutes away.
- Haulover Beach Park: a long county beach known for watersports, about 45 minutes’ drive.
- Oleta River State Park: a mangrove-lined park with a small beach, roughly 50 minutes away.
- John U. Lloyd Beach State Park: a quieter beach near Dania Beach, about an hour’s drive.
- Fort Lauderdale Beach: a lively beachfront promenade, roughly an hour away.
More Florida travel
Other Florida travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- 5 reasons to visit Miami on a round-the-world trip.
- Guides to key Miami cultural attractions: Frost Science Museum, Perez Art Museum, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, Graffiti Museum, HistoryMiami Museum.
- What to see at Flamingo Gardens near Fort Lauderdale.
- The highlights of Hugh Taylor Birch State Park in Fort Lauderdale.
- The best stops on a road trip from Jacksonville to Miami.
