Oleta River State Park is a 1,043-acre state park on Biscayne Bay in North Miami Beach, Florida, and the largest urban park in Florida’s state parks system. This guide covers hours, prices, parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips for planning your trip.
This guide was last updated in August 2026. The Blue Marlin Restaurant inside the park has been closed since June 2025, and if the park closes due to reaching capacity, which happens frequently on weekends, it does not reopen until the following day, a stricter rule than at some other South Florida state parks.
Quick facts
| Opening hours | 8 am to sunset, 365 days a year |
| Entry fee | $6 per vehicle (2–8 people) |
| Parking | Included in admission |
| Address | 3400 N.E. 163rd Street, North Miami Beach, FL 33160 |
| Nearest transport | Personal vehicle recommended; Miami International Airport is about 30 minutes away |
| Typical visit length | 3 to 5 hours |
Oleta River State Park opening hours
The park is open every day of the year from 8 am until sunset, with no seasonal variation. The Oleta River Outdoor Center, the on-site paddling and biking concession, opens at 9 am on weekdays and 8 am on weekends, closing one hour before sunset both days.
Because the park frequently reaches capacity, especially on weekends, it’s worth calling the ranger station ahead of a visit. If the park closes for the day due to capacity, it stays closed until the following morning rather than reopening later that same day.
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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
Oleta River State Park ticket prices
Admission costs $6 per vehicle carrying two to eight people, or $4 for a single-occupant vehicle or motorcycle. This was checked on the official website and last updated in August 2026..
Pedestrians, bicyclists, and extra passengers pay $2 each. Rustic, air-conditioned cabins rent for $55 per night plus tax, plus a nonrefundable $6.70 reservation fee and a $7 nightly utility fee. Picnic pavilions range from $58.85 for a small pavilion to $347.75 for the extra-large White Ibis pavilion, all reservable in person Monday through Friday. Oleta River State Park is not included in any bundled city pass scheme such as Go City or CityPASS.
How to get to Oleta River State Park
The park is located at 3400 N.E. 163rd Street in North Miami Beach, roughly 30 minutes from downtown Miami. Both Miami International Airport and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport are about 30 minutes away by car, depending on traffic.
There is no dedicated public transit stop at the park entrance, so most visitors arrive by personal vehicle or rideshare.
Parking at Oleta River State Park
Parking is included in the vehicle admission fee, with no separate parking charge. Multiple parking lots serve different parts of the park, including areas near the beach, the Outdoor Center, and the mountain bike trailheads.
Given the park’s frequent weekend closures at capacity, arriving earlier in the day improves your chances of finding a space and avoiding a turned-away trip.
How long to spend at Oleta River State Park
Most visitors spend 3 to 5 hours at Oleta River, enough time to combine a swim at the beach with a paddle on the river or a ride on the mountain bike trails. Given the park’s size, at just over a thousand acres, a shorter visit only scratches the surface of what’s available.
Mountain bikers tackling the full 15 miles of off-road trails, or paddlers taking a longer guided tour, often spend the better part of a day here.
Accessibility at Oleta River State Park
The park offers a range of accessible amenities, including beach wheelchairs, wheelchair-friendly beach access, an accessible canoe and kayak launch, and a fishing pier.
Restrooms and hot showers near the cabins are available to all visitors, not just overnight guests.
Inside Oleta River State Park
Oleta River State Park is bisected by its namesake river, which winds through lush mangrove forest before opening onto a sandy beach on Biscayne Bay. Wildlife commonly seen includes great blue herons, roseate spoonbills, and occasionally dolphins or manatees in the surrounding waters.
The park is one of Florida’s best-known urban mountain biking destinations, with 15 miles of off-road trails winding through the forest. The Oleta River Outdoor Center rents canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and mountain bikes, and those bringing their own boats can launch from the area west of parking lots 5 and 6. Rustic, air-conditioned cabins and a youth group campground offer overnight stays, and the beach can also be reserved for weddings, with pavilions available for the reception.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Timing | Call the ranger station before a weekend visit to check whether the park has reached capacity. |
| Crowds | Weekends draw the heaviest crowds, particularly for the beach and bike trails. |
| Layout | The beach and Outdoor Center sit near the main entrance, with trailheads spread further into the park. |
| Entry process | Pay the vehicle admission fee at the entrance station; there is no separate ticket for activities. |
| On-site logistics | Bring your own food, since the Blue Marlin Restaurant is currently closed; also pack insect repellent. |
Frequently asked questions about Oleta River State Park
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How much does it cost to visit? | $6 per vehicle for two to eight people, or $4 for a single-occupant vehicle or motorcycle. |
| Does the park reopen the same day if it closes at capacity? | No. Once closed for capacity, it stays closed until the following day. |
| Can you rent bikes or kayaks at the park? | Yes, through the Oleta River Outdoor Center concession near the main entrance. |
| Is there food available inside the park? | Not currently; the Blue Marlin Restaurant has been closed since June 2025. |
| Are pets allowed? | Leashed pets are generally welcome in outdoor areas; check current signage for specifics. |
Things to do near Oleta River State Park
- Haulover Beach Park: a 1.4-mile county beach with a marina and skate park, about 15 to 20 minutes away.
- Sunny Isles Beach: a beachfront strip with hotels and dining, a short drive north.
- Greynolds Park: a historic park with a mound trail and boat rentals, roughly 15 minutes’ drive.
- Aventura Mall: a major shopping centre, about 10 minutes away.
- Bal Harbour Shops: an upscale open-air shopping centre, roughly 15 minutes’ drive.
What to visit tomorrow
- Matheson Hammock Park: a bayside park with a man-made atoll pool, about 35 to 40 minutes away.
- Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park: home to the historic Cape Florida Lighthouse, roughly 40 to 45 minutes’ drive.
- John U. Lloyd Beach State Park: a quieter beach near Dania Beach, about 30 minutes away.
- Hugh Taylor Birch State Park: a coastal park in Fort Lauderdale, roughly 25 minutes’ drive.
- Markham Park: a large county park with trails and a target range in Sunrise, about 45 minutes away.
More Florida travel
Other Florida travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Florida state park guides: Manatees and water sports at Blue Spring State Park between Orlando and Daytona Beach and Investigating the giant sinkhole while visiting Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park in Gainesville.
- What to see at Flamingo Gardens near Fort Lauderdale.
- Florida Everglades kayak tours vs boat tours: Which is the best to do?
- What’s worth seeing at South Pointe Park in Miami Beach.
- Guides to key Miami cultural attractions: Frost Science Museum, Perez Art Museum, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, Graffiti Museum, HistoryMiami Museum.
