Row into the city
Amid the strip malls and white-sand beaches of North Miami is a lush river valley shrouded by mangroves. Oleta River State Park, where a remnant of untouched Everglades spills into Biscayne Bay, is where Miamians go for a taste of nature in the middle of the city. To the northeast, the high-rise condominiums and hotels of Sunny Isles Beach loom; to the south are the ritzy shops of Bal Harbour. Just across the bay, nude beachgoers and kite flyers populate both sides of Haulover Park. Sprawled across 1,000 acres of wilderness, this urban oasis offers a wealth of recreational diversions. Sunbathe in a sandy cove, go for a hike through the thick tropical brush, bike the magnificent nature trails shaded by Australian Pines, or best of all, row your kayak along the Oleta River into northern Biscayne Bay.
The Oleta River has never been dredged or channeled to accommodate boats or commerce, making it the only natural river in Dade County. Its abundance of saw grass and cattails is an ironic contrast to the surrounding metropolis. Rent a canoe, kayak, or paddleboard to fully experience the waterways that snake their way through mangrove tunnels. Start from the northern end of the park and row southward. The dense thickets in narrow, winding creeks gradually open up; dolphins may appear in the warm, translucent waters underneath you while Miami’s skyline is visible beyond the treetops.
Info
Address 3400 NE 163rd Street, North Miami, FL 33181, +1 305.919.1846, www.floridastateparks.org/park/Oleta-River | Hours Daily 8am–sunset| Tip Every full moon, at North Shore Open Space Park in North Beach (A1A and 85th St), a giant drum circle forms to honor the lunar event.
Oleta River Park is a picturesque escape from city life, but still within walking distance. Small boats and bicycles are the only traffic here. Enjoy a picnic in one of the park’s pavilions. Didn’t bring enough food? Zip over to the Publix supermarket on Collins Avenue, just a 10-minute drive away. Or, for a fraction of what it would cost to stay one night at the Fontainebleau, spend a few nights in a primitive but air-conditioned log cabin. You’ll almost forget you’re in the midst of one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world.
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