Historic Virginia Key Beach Park

Historic Virginia Key Beach Park is a mile-long beach park on Virginia Key, minutes from Downtown Miami, with wetlands, a boardwalk, hiking trails, picnic areas, and concessions. It began as the segregated beach for Black Miamians, and history markers on site tell that civil rights story alongside the shoreline.

Guests come to swim in calm bay water, grill at the covered picnic shelters, kayak, ride the mountain bike trails, and watch sunsets with a view back toward the Miami skyline. Families use the playground, volleyball and soccer areas, and swings and slides, while the pavilion hosts events and festivals.

Entry is paid at the gate: recent visitors mention $5 on weekdays, $10 on weekends, and $12 on major holidays, with cash preferred. Parking is available in free and paid lots and along the street, though weekends fill up.

The park is open daily from 7 AM to 6 PM. Seaweed can collect on the sand in some seasons, and raccoons and iguanas are common, so keep food covered.