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Manager's Message

Spring is here and it is time to get outdoors. Oleta River State Park is home to many activities that you would not associate with being located in the center of Miami. Come and kayak through the pristine mangrove forest, it is a nice peaceful paddle where you can see a large variety of waterbirds and sometimes dolphin and manatee. For those of you who want something a little more strenuous, we have approximately 15 miles of mountain bike trails ranging in skill level from novice to advanced. Other activities include swimming in our beautiful manmade beach, fishing from our fishing pier, strolling through our butterfly garden or simply bringing your friends and family out for a picnic. If you want to make a weekend out of it, we offer rustic log cabins for camping.

We have 9 picnic pavilions available for rent, making us a popular venue for family reunions, church functions, birthday parties and weddings.

Our Visitor Services Provider, Blue Moon Outdoor Center, has everything you will need for a fun-filled weekend. Canoes, kayaks, and bikes are all available for rent. They also have a great selection of gifts. The Blue Marlin Fish House has great food! Take the opportunity to visit and have some smoked fish dip, a wrap or a terrific burger. While you are there, make sure to visit the Interpretive Center. There are some great displays that detail the past and present flora and fauna that may be found along the Oleta River. We also have a computerized presentation that is narrated by the son of Dan Diefenbach, the original owner of the property. It details what life was like at the original Blue Marlin Fish House and along the Oleta River. This is something you should not miss.

We also have numerous volunteer opportunities through our Citizens Support Organization, the Oleta River Adventure Association. There is something for everyone’s interest and skill level. We have volunteer jobs in the plant nursery, bike trail maintenance, developing environmental education programs, island maintenance and helping out at the evening campfire circle, just to name a few. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please contact Laura Kruger. Laura is our Park Services Specialist and can be reached at (305)919-1846.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the current volunteers for their hard work and dedication.

Hope to see you soon!

- Steven Dale, Park Manager

Welcome to Oleta River State Park

Florida's largest urban park, Oleta River is located on Biscayne Bay in the busy Miami metropolitan area. Although it offers a variety of recreational opportunities, the park is best known for miles of off-road bicycling trails, ranging from novice trails to challenging trails for experienced bicyclists. Along the Oleta River, at the north end of the park, a large stand of beautiful mangrove forest preserves native South Florida plants and wildlife. Canoeists and kayakers can paddle the river to explore this amazing natural area. Swimming from a 1,200-foot sandy beach and saltwater fishing are also popular activities. Picnic tables and grills are available. Nine pavilions can be rented for a fee. All have water, and the largest one has electricity. Visitors can rent kayaks, canoes, and bicycles. The park has a loaner system for bicycle helmets. For overnight visits, the park has rustic, air-conditioned cabins and a youth campground for organized groups. Located at 3400 NE 163rd Street, off I-95 in North Miami.

Contact the Florida Park Service Information Center for general inquiries.
For Information about Oleta River State Park, please call 305-919-1844.

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