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Oleta River State Park
Nearby Parks:
John U. Lloyd Beach State Park
Pan-American State Park
Hugh Taylor Birch State Park
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
The Barnacle Historic State Park
The Barnacle Historic State Park
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| State Park Contact Information: |
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Oleta River State Park
3400 N.E. 163rd Street
North Miami, Florida 33160
Phone: 305-919-1844
Reservations: 800-326-3521
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Photography: add your photos
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| State Park Overview: |
| 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. |
| Reviews By Park Visitors: |
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Oasis in a concrete jungle
I was blown away by the fact that the park sits in the middle of the greater Miami area. The staff was both courteous and professional. Thank you Steve Dale for all the information about the park and local area. I will be back!
Written by Dave Allen
18-Dec-2009
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| Picnicking: |
| Nine covered picnic pavilions are available on a first-come, first-served basis or may be rented by reservation. The largest pavilion, "White Ibis," houses 24 picnic tables and includes electric and water. The remaining six pavilions each house 10 picnic tables and include only water. Contact the park office for availability and reservations. |
| Fishing and Hunting: |
| The fishing pier is always a popular site for fishing as well as the shores of the park along the Intracoastal Waterway that borders the east shores of the park. |
| History of the Area: |
| The beauty of the river has drawn man to its banks for centuries. As early as 500 BC, the river was home to the Tequesta Indians who camped along the river?s shore. The estuary provided them with a rich and varied diet. When Spaniards first visited the area they encountered bear, deer, panthers, bobcats, wolves, alligators, manatees and numerous birds and small animals.
In 1841, the river was named Big Snake Creek and was part of the route used by Federal troops in the Second Seminole War to travel south from Loxahatchee.
In 1891, Captain William Hawkins Fulford explored the river and settled further inland in the area known today as North Miami Beach.
Once "discovered", other settlers ventured north from Miami and by the 1890s, pineapple and vegetable farms had sprung up along the river in the newly formed town of Ojus. The river linked the Everglades with Biscayne Bay. An Indian trading post was established at what is now Greynolds Park. In 1922, Big Snake Creek was renamed the Oleta River by developers. |
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...vacation cabin, weekend getaway, log cabin rental, romantic cottage, vacation home, resort, hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, country inn, campground, RV park, horseback riding stable, canoe livery, river rafting, outfitting, sporting goods store, guide service, RV rental, etc read more.... |
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| Directions: |
| Oleta River State Park is located at 3400 N.E. 163rd St, off I?95 in Miami. |
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