Florida state parks (Miami, Tampa, Orlando: purchasing, cost, store)

[pepsik]

Hi there! Last year i bought a pass (120$) to all Florida`s state parks. I visited many of them during my trip from Miami up to north Florida. Few places stuck in my mind such as Key Biscayne in Miami and Brooker Creek in Tampa. Although one amazing place were missed by me - park at Virginia Key (next to Key Biscayne). I`m gonna be there soom so i was wondering if this park is a state park or not? I mean either my pass is valid there or not?

[Hammocks Bum]

Virginia Key is NOT a State Park, and I don't believe there is even an entrance fee. I am not sure about the second part of my statement , therefore people that know that can answer you. But NOT part of the Fl State Parks System at all.

If there is an entrance fee it goes to Miami Dade County Parks, and they can use the money, that's for sure !!!

[pepsik]

May be it doesn`t have an entrance fee if you are ride a bicycle or go there by foot. But it definitely has a fee for a car (8$). As a tourist it`ll cost me an arm and a leg)) That`s joke) Actually my pass is still actual and obviously i would be better to use it intead of paying twice..
Browsing a google map i saw plenty of parking lots which was closed by a chain. I can't get why those parking lots were made for if they closed all day long?

[Hammocks Bum]

Not a STATE PARK. So you wanna Park ??? You gotta Pay.

Virginia Key
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Virginia Key Located on Key Biscayne off the Rickenbacker Causeway lies an 82-acre barrier island called Virginia Key. The property belongs to the City of Miami and is maintained by City of Miami Parks and Recreation Department, the responsibility is shared in part with the Virginia Key Beach Trust who manage the historic portion of the beach front and oversee the preservation and future development of Virginia Key Beach. For the safety of our visitors and your pets, we ask that you refrain from bringing animals including dogs to Virginia Key, as we have a lot of wildlife in this protected habitat. Service animals are allowed.

Virginia Key Beach Ocean Rescue Information:

Guard on Duty: The City of Miami Parks and Recreation Ocean Rescue Section boasts 3 elevated and mostly enclosed lifeguard towers, spaced approximately 150 yards apart.

City of Miami'spublic beach is professionally guarded 365 days year

Winter (November-March): 8:15 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Summer (April-October): 9:15 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

Parking & Admission Fees to Virginia Key Beach: (No Re-Entry)

Parking Fees as of February 27, 2017 will be collected through the Pay by Phone and Pay By Plate program. You can download the Pay by Phone app at www.paybyphone.com or through the app store on your smartphone.

Fees:

Weekdays - $6
Weekends and Holidays - $8
Buses - $25
Annual Fee - $150*
*Instructions for purchasing the annual pass will be updated shortly

No overnight parking is permitted in the park

Did you Visit The Hillsborough River State Park ???? Wekiva Springs ???? Nice Places.

[Wesley_]

Originally Posted by pepsik

Hi there! Last year i bought a pass (120$) to all Florida`s state parks. I visited many of them during my trip from Miami up to north Florida. Few places stuck in my mind such as Key Biscayne in Miami and Brooker Creek in Tampa. Although one amazing place were missed by me - park at Virginia Key (next to Key Biscayne). I`m gonna be there soom so i was wondering if this park is a state park or not? I mean either my pass is valid there or not?

Did you go to Bill Baggs Cape in Key Biscayne with the pass? That's the only FL state park there.

Crandon and Virginia Key is run by the city so the pass probably won't work. Both have manned pay station so it wouldn't hurt to ask. They might accept it or give you a reduced fare, it's up to the employee.

[Hammocks Bum]

I told that to the Pep Guy, of course, no answer....

[popcorn247]

Originally Posted by Wesley_

Did you go to Bill Baggs Cape in Key Biscayne with the pass? That's the only FL state park there.

Crandon and Virginia Key is run by the city so the pass probably won't work. Both have manned pay station so it wouldn't hurt to ask. They might accept it or give you a reduced fare, it's up to the employee.

Just an fyi: Crandon is a county park.....not a city park.

[Wesley_]

Originally Posted by popcorn247

Just an fyi: Crandon is a county park.....not a city park.

Ok honest mistake.

Doesn't help that all the parks there are managed by different entities. Confusing for tourists

Have to pay again just to go to the historic and non-historic Virginia Key due to this.

More efficient if there was a universal park pass or at least pay by phone for all of them.

[pepsik]

Hammocks Bum Wesley_
Thank you for responding.
I`ve never been neither Hillsborough River State Park nor Bill Baggs Cape. Although i`ve been to the place at the edge of Key Biscayne where has been something like a lighthouse and huge amount of lizards were taking a sunbath.Possible it was Bill Baggs Cape.

Doesn't help that all the parks there are managed by different entities. Confusing for tourists

Have to pay again just to go to the historic and non-historic Virginia Key due to this.

More efficient if there was a universal park pass or at least pay by phone for all of them.

Definetely! First time when i bought a pass i was sure it is valid on every park. But it wasn`t. Moreover, lots of park i`ve been in FL have different entry fee inspite the fact that they seems to me quite the same - trees, swamp, wooden track etc. Sure enought that park fee doesn`t cost me a pretty penny even for me as a tourist...But they had better made an universal pass with a little higher cost.
There were only two places in Miami that cost me an arm and a leg - botanical garden (~40$) and zoo (~30). It was really rip off )).

[Hammocks Bum]

Cool...Wekiva Springs in the Altamonte Springs Area N from Orlando is a beauty, and free with your pass, if it remains active, I HIGHLY recommend the Place.

Greetings