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The Everglades National Park
via National Park Service

Miami’s 9 best hiking areas, mapped

They do exist!

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The Everglades National Park
| via National Park Service

While Miami is not thought of as a classic hiking destination in the same breath as the likes of California, Arizona or Colorado due to its consistently flat elevation, South Florida does offer plenty of fine green spaces to explore—on land and water.

Hiking in Miami should not be thought of purely as a feet-on-the-ground activity as some of the best “trails” are actually on the water, creating unique adventures via paddle board, canoe, or kayak.

With CBS Miami, Miami.com, and Miami and Beaches providing some inspiration, we mapped out the nine best hiking areas across Miami. Did we miss your favorite spot? Please email us or drop a line in the comments down below.

Also be sure to check out other recent Curbed Miami maps, including:

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Everglades National Park

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Encompassing 1.5 million acres, the Everglades certainly took a hit from Hurricane Irma but it could’ve been so much worse. Keep in mind just how protective the area can be before your next visit. It shields us from incoming storms by reducing storm surge and absorbing floodwater. A common field trip for Miamians in elementary and middle school, the wetland offers plenty of hiking trails. Just watch out for those gators!

A post shared by Dirk Neumann (@oberon_1503) on

Oleta River State Park

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Encompassing over 1,000 acres along Biscayne Bay in North Miami is the Oleta River State Park, which is bustling with Casuarina trees and invasive species. It’s a great place to paddleboarding, kayaking, and canoeing.

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park

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Located in Key Biscayne is Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, the home of a historic lighthouse that was originally built in 1825 and remains the oldest standing structure in Miami-Dade County. The area is a great place for biking, kayaking, hiking, or an old-fashioned picnic.

A post shared by @yas.louly on

Kendall Indian Hammocks Park

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One of Miami’s best kept secrets, this park in Kendall is uniquely comprised of hiking trails underneath tropical hardwood hammocks. 

Greynolds Park

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This 249-acre park features a hardwood hammock and mangrove forest. The adjacent Oleta River was once a source of transportation for Tequesta Indians.

FIU Nature Preserve

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A natural escape for FIU students, its three ecosystems feature 13 endangered plants, 15 threatened plants, and 238 other plants and animals. There’s also a jogging trail, comprised of over 5,600 recycled tires, and six workout stations.

A post shared by Elysia S (@elysia_mua) on

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

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Among South Florida’s most vibrant and well known green spaces, Fairchild is an 83-acre botanic garden booming with palms, cycads, vines, and so much more.

Unknown ID #africanorigins #nature #love #outdoors #miami #flowers

A post shared by Nathan Aaron (@nac7789) on

Arch Creek Park

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The smallest park on our list at just over nine acres, Arch Creek’s name is derived from a 40-foot natural limestone bridge over a creek and was a site of the Tequesta Indians.

AD Barnes Park

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Explore nature trails within the 65-acre AD Barnes Park, which is nestled in the city near Coral Terrace. This park includes a bird and wild animal sanctuary in 15 acres of native plants and trees.

Photo: Naty K./Yelp

Everglades National Park

Encompassing 1.5 million acres, the Everglades certainly took a hit from Hurricane Irma but it could’ve been so much worse. Keep in mind just how protective the area can be before your next visit. It shields us from incoming storms by reducing storm surge and absorbing floodwater. A common field trip for Miamians in elementary and middle school, the wetland offers plenty of hiking trails. Just watch out for those gators!

A post shared by Dirk Neumann (@oberon_1503) on

Oleta River State Park

Encompassing over 1,000 acres along Biscayne Bay in North Miami is the Oleta River State Park, which is bustling with Casuarina trees and invasive species. It’s a great place to paddleboarding, kayaking, and canoeing.

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park

Located in Key Biscayne is Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, the home of a historic lighthouse that was originally built in 1825 and remains the oldest standing structure in Miami-Dade County. The area is a great place for biking, kayaking, hiking, or an old-fashioned picnic.

A post shared by @yas.louly on

Kendall Indian Hammocks Park

One of Miami’s best kept secrets, this park in Kendall is uniquely comprised of hiking trails underneath tropical hardwood hammocks. 

Greynolds Park

This 249-acre park features a hardwood hammock and mangrove forest. The adjacent Oleta River was once a source of transportation for Tequesta Indians.

FIU Nature Preserve

A natural escape for FIU students, its three ecosystems feature 13 endangered plants, 15 threatened plants, and 238 other plants and animals. There’s also a jogging trail, comprised of over 5,600 recycled tires, and six workout stations.

A post shared by Elysia S (@elysia_mua) on

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Among South Florida’s most vibrant and well known green spaces, Fairchild is an 83-acre botanic garden booming with palms, cycads, vines, and so much more.

Unknown ID #africanorigins #nature #love #outdoors #miami #flowers

A post shared by Nathan Aaron (@nac7789) on

Arch Creek Park

The smallest park on our list at just over nine acres, Arch Creek’s name is derived from a 40-foot natural limestone bridge over a creek and was a site of the Tequesta Indians.

AD Barnes Park

Explore nature trails within the 65-acre AD Barnes Park, which is nestled in the city near Coral Terrace. This park includes a bird and wild animal sanctuary in 15 acres of native plants and trees.

Photo: Naty K./Yelp