Everglades National Park

Florida

Everglades National Park

Haulover Beach & Park in Miami, FL, is a beautiful and historic park. It’s one of Miami’s most landmark county parks, known for its clothing-optional beach. We didn’t come here to sunbathe, but simply to walk along the coast and in the park. Although February is considered the beginning of the peak season, the parking lots were still almost empty. The park and the beach weren’t crowded at all.

I strolled barefoot along the white beach, the teal ocean water washing over my feet. The sun’s warmth felt terrific. The Miami coastline was breathtaking, with countless high-rise buildings stretching for miles.

I was able to take pictures of some wildlife in the park. A green iguana, a twittering great-tailed grackle, and a shy turkey vulture patiently posed for me, resulting in some great shots.

A Rainy Day at Oleta River State Park

Since the rain was pouring down in the morning, we postponed our plans to visit the Everglades. Once the rain had stopped, we drove to Oleta River State Park. When visiting Haulover Park, we had already seen this park on the other side of Biscayne Creek.

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The park is named after the Oleta River, a unique Miami river that has retained its natural flow of fresh water to Biscayne Bay. The river’s undeveloped, seven-mile stretch is a habitat for wildlife and has the only remaining riverine mangrove forest near Miami.

Oleta River State Park is a multi-functional park offering recreational opportunities while maintaining and enhancing nature. Many families were enjoying picnics together. Some people were mountain biking; others were kayaking. We were the only hikers on the trail today. We enjoyed the park’s natural serenity, as well as the spectacular view of the North Miami skyline.

Visit to Historic Bill Baggs in Key Biscayne

We also visited Bill Baggs Florida State Park in Key Biscayne, Florida, near Miami. We followed the Nature Trail and enjoyed the park’s gorgeous white sandy beaches, blue-green water, and wildlife,

The park’s highlight is the historic Cape Florida Lighthouse, built in 1825. This iconic landmark is the oldest structure in Miami-Dade County and is proudly listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Date

Sunday, June 25, 2023

Everglades National Park

Florida