Highland Oaks Park – Florida Hikes

The Oleta River in Miami holds a particular distinction of being is the one non-channelized, free flowing waterway within the county.

An oasis for wildlife inside an city jungle, this mangrove-lined river flows for seven miles from Highland Oaks Park to Biscayne Bay.

The park presents a neighborhood heart, sports activities amenities, a playground, and an asphalt-topped loop path.

Birding is widespread right here, owing to the abundance of timber and open water. Look ahead to alligators and crocodiles sunning alongside the water’s edge.

American crocodile

Sources

Overview

Location: AventuraLength: 1.1 milesTrailhead: 25.964222, -80.151972Address: 20300 NE twenty fourth Ave, MiamiFees: FreeRestrooms: On the neighborhood heart subsequent to the parking areaLand supervisor: Miami-Dade CountyPhone: 305-932-2164

Open dawn to sundown. Leashed canine allowed. Crocodiles are frequent on this space.

Instructions

Hike

Starting close to an accessible parking house in entrance of the neighborhood heart, comply with a concrete pathway main by means of a breezeway between two buildings.

The floor transitions to asphalt whereas heading northward, weaving between oaks accompanied by strangler figs in numerous phases of enveloping their host timber.

Group heart

A dense thicket of pond apples traces the walkway in 1 / 4 mile because it cuts by means of thriving wetlands surrounding the river.

A picket bridge spans mangrove-lined banks. Flip left on the subsequent intersection to start the loop portion of the path.

Pond apple forest

Indicators point out the presence of crocodiles alongside a path by means of a grassy panorama dotted with gumbo limbo, oaks, and cabbage palms. Cross a playground alongside the best way.

The path curves eastward after crossing a second bridge flanked by cypress timber close to the half mile mark, opening to a delicate slope alongside the water’s edge.

Gallinules and white ibis frequent the pond on the heart of the park, the place a resident crocodile is perhaps sunning subsequent to the shoreline, particularly within the cooler months.

Water crossing

Distinctive calls of red-winged blackbirds and grackles echo throughout the water, including a satisfying layer of pure soundscapes to the low drone of close by visitors.

The path continues its circumnavigation across the pond, lined with varied train gear and a handful of shaded benches.

Closing the loop close to 0.8 mile, flip left to comply with the trail again throughout the river and previous the sports activities advanced, returning to the parking space in one other quarter of a mile.

North aspect of the pond

Path Map

Discover Extra!

Video

Mountain climbing Highland Oaks Park

Close by Adventures

Oleta River State Park Tenting cabins and mountain biking in Miami? You may discover them together with the anticipated stunning seashores and paddle launches alongside the north shore of Biscayne Bay.

Arch Creek Park An oasis of pure tropical hammock in North Miami, Arch Creek Park hugs the japanese fringe of its namesake creek, which as soon as had a pure limestone bridge utilized by indigenous peoples and pioneers.

Official Web site

Alongside together with his spouse Chelsey, Chris Stevens shares out of doors adventures on Instagram and Fb as @sunshinestateseekers and is a co-host of a podcast about Florida’s outdoor, The Florida Madcaps. An avid hiker and camper, Chris serves as a Trailmaster and a board member for the Florida Path Affiliation.

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