Camping and bird and wildlife viewing

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Biscayne National Park

Campsites available on Elliot Key and Boca Chita Key. The park also offers a wide range of activities, education programs, exhibits and visitor attractions. Phone: 305-230-1144

Cape Florida State Park

Located at the tip of Key Biscayne, Cape Florida State Park is a great place for bird watching. In the spring and fall migration seasons, people have seen as many as 170 different species of migratory birds. The best spots for bird viewing are on the western end of the park near Ponds Trail or along the paved bike path. The park also offers eight fishing platforms. Boaters may also camp overnight on their liveaboard boats at the parks harbor on the bayside. And the parks beach has been voted one of the top 10 in the United States. Phone: 305-361-5811

Chicken Key Bird Rookery

Located just northeast off the shore of the Deering Estate in South Miami-Dade, Chicken Key is accessible via canoe tours led by county park naturalists who discuss the history, wildlife and ecology of the island. Its one of South Floridas best spots for bird watching. Wildlife surveys are conducted by Tropical Audubon Society and volunteers. Phone: 305-235-1668

Oleta River State Park

Floridas largest urban park offers a variety of recreational opportunities, including off-road bicycling trails, camping, paddling, swimming and fishing. A great place for bird and wildlife viewing, the park has rustic, air-conditioned cabins and a youth campground for organized groups. Phone: 305-919-1846

Sierra Club, Florida Chapter, Miami Group

The Sierra Clubs Miami Group has a rich program of outings including camping, hiking, snorkeling, backpacking, canoeing and kayaking. Also offered are canoe and backpack workshops, Saturday bike trips and conservation service projects. They travel to rivers and parks throughout the state and to local parks in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties. Trips are rated according to difficulty. Special family outings allow parents and children enjoy the wonders of nature and the fun of camping out. Meetings are held the second Monday of every month at the Coral Gables Womans Club, 1001 East Ponce De Leon Blvd., Coral Gables. Phone: 305-667-7311

Tropical Audubon

Tropical Audubon offers a variety of new outings including bird, plant and butterfly trips; and trips by canoe, bicycle and boat, as well as a bird festival, birding and botany classes, the important seasonal bird count, workdays, plant sales and special events such as the annual Birdathon. All trips are led by volunteer leaders; most are free and open to the public with no reservation. However, some parks charge entrance fees. Participants usually share gasoline costs for carpool trips. Overnight and boat trips usually have additional costs. Phone: 305-667-PEEP