Biscayne National Park

Boca Chita Lighthouse Trail

easyFamiliesHistory BuffsPhotographers
0.5 miDistance
50 ftElevation Gain
0.5-1 hoursEstimated Time
roundtripTrail Type

What to Expect

This is less a hike and more a tropical stroll with a history lesson waiting at the end. You'll step off the boat onto Boca Chita Key — the most popular island in Biscayne National Park — and follow a flat, crushed-coral path through a canopy of hardwood hammock. The shade is welcome but brief; within minutes you're at the ornamental lighthouse, a 65-foot tower built in the 1930s by a wealthy landowner who never bothered to get it officially recognized as a navigational aid. When the lighthouse is open for climbing, the views from the top stretch across Biscayne Bay to the Miami skyline in one direction and nothing but mangrove keys and open water in the other. The whole loop barely registers as exercise, but the setting is genuinely striking. Perfect for curious families, history buffs, and anyone who arrived by boat and wants to stretch their legs on solid ground.
FamiliesHistory BuffsPhotographersBoatersCasual Explorers

Safety Advisory

There is no fresh water or shade shelter on the island beyond the hammock canopy. In South Florida's subtropical heat, even a short walk can lead to dehydration if you didn't bring supplies on the boat.

Mosquitoes and no-see-ums can be ferocious on the key, especially in summer and after rain. Bring bug spray with DEET or picaridin — this is not a situation where natural repellent cuts it.

Trail Details

Distance0.5 miles round-trip
Elevation Gain50 ft
Difficultyeasy
Estimated Time0.5-1 hours
Trail Typeroundtrip
PetsNot allowed
SeasonYear-round
TrailheadBoca Chita Lighthouse Trail
Trail Tips
  1. 1

    Boca Chita is boat-access only — there's no bridge or ferry schedule. You'll need your own vessel or a park concessionaire trip from the Dante Fascell Visitor Center at Convoy Point. Book the concessionaire early on winter weekends; slots fill fast.

  2. 2

    Check with the park before your trip to confirm the lighthouse is open for climbing — it's frequently closed for maintenance or staffing, and the tower interior is the highlight. Rangers sometimes open it only on weekends during peak season.

  3. 3

    The island has a small harbor with a seawall and picnic pavilions. If you're bringing your own boat, arrive before mid-morning to snag a slip — the harbor fits roughly 30 vessels and there's no reservation system.

More Trails in Biscayne

Elliott Key Trail

easy
2 mi·0 ft gain·1-1.5 hours hrs

Mangrove Shoreline

moderate
2.5 mi·0 ft gain·1.5-2 hours hrs

Reef Snorkeling Trail

moderate
0.5 mi·0 ft gain·1-2 hours hrs

Shipwreck Dive Sites

strenuous
1 mi·0 ft gain·2-4 hours hrs

Explore Biscayne National Park

2 campgrounds, 6 trails, 512K annual visitors

View Park Guide