Nestled between Sunny Isles Beach and North Miami Beach, on the north side of Miami-Dade County, Oleta State Park is a wonderful oasis amidst the hectic city.
https://www.floridastateparks.org/OletaRiver
Oleta State Park is part of the Florida State Parks system. Check their website for updates on current hours of operations, fees, and amenities.
Why visit Oleta State Park?
-A smaller beach with swimming, perfect for a family, especially with toddlers and little kids
-Picnicking
-Canoe, kayak, and paddleboard rentals including guided tours (https://oletariveroutdoors.com)
-Biking on over 10 miles of bike trails
-Fishing
-Camping
-Blue Marlin Fish House Restaurant (re-opened in 2020!)
Beach & Swimming
Oleta State Park’s beach is a beautiful lagoon off of Biscayne Bay to prevent large waves, and allows for easy access by toddlers and small children. There are no lifeguards though, so be sure to keep an eye on your little ones.
Picnicking
Oleta State Park offers many options for picnics, including covered picnic pavilions and picnic tables. There were tables near the beach and in shaded grass areas. (There may be a rental fee for the picnic pavilions, so please visit the State Park website for more information.)
Canoe, Kayak, and Paddle board rentals
We’ve seen a few places along Miami Beach to rent similar equipment; however, this seems like a great option for families as the bay is more calm than the ocean, and secluded from larger boats and waves. The bay would be a perfect size to paddle around without being too far from land. We look forward to using this amenity in the future!
Bicycling
Oleta State Park has more than 10 miles of bike trails encompassing various levels of difficulty from beginner to challenging. We were not able to complete the bike trails, as from our experience, even the beginner trails would not be safe with toddlers along on a bike seat. There are also paved trails for inline skating and biking, which would be more suitable for toddlers and small children.
Fishing
Oleta State Park has a fishing pier that’s a popular spot for salt water fishing on the Intracoastal Waterway. The fishing pier shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic, so please check with the park before visiting as it may shut down periodically. (Note: A fishing license may be required, so also look into the Florida Wildlife Commission’s Fishing in Florida rules.)
Camping
Oleta State Park offers a primitive group camping area for organized youth groups, and secondary to adult groups. We did not camp here, but would consider it in the future.
Enjoy the day at Oleta State Park, and while you’re in the area, you may want to visit these close by options:
-Just over the 826 bridge going east, you’ll arrive at Sunny Isles Beach.
-Along the coast, you can drive south on A1A to Haulover Beach, Haulover Marina, and Haulover Inlet.
-Continue south on A1A to visit The Bal Harbour Shops, famous for luxury brands.
-Just 4.5 miles south from Oleta State Park, on A1A/Collins Avenue, you’ll arrive in the “Uptown Beachtown” of Surfside, great for delicious (Kosher) restaurants and a 1 mile stretch of white sand beach.
-If you have more time, continue south along A1A to drive along Miami Beach through North Beach, Mid-Beach, and the famous tourist section of South Beach.