Trail Snapshot
Trail(s): Around 10+ or so miles of predominately easy to a little advanced single track. Surfaces vary from grass to roots, dirt and rocks. Advanced sections feature log crossings and short plank bridges a foot or less off the ground. For the beginner, there are over 4 miles of novice trails and 3 miles of paved trail. The paved trail also offers great conditions for roller blading.
Difficulty: Mostly easy to intermediate. The bit of advanced is easily bypassed if not desired.
Outdoor Travels Rating: 3.25 out of 5 bikes for facilities and convenience
Thumbs Up
- Facilities are amazing. The inexpensive cabin rentals and nice beach are worth a visit alone.
- Nice rental cabins
- Proximity to many restaurants and pubs (across the street)
- Miles of nice intermediate to easy trail
- Advanced trail sections are entertaining and well thought out
Thumbs Down
- Thrill seekers will find the miles of pretty intermediate track boring
- Advanced trail miles are short in comparison to intermediate and easy track (okay for some, not for others)
- Not a wilderness experience - although you may think so
Nuts & Bolts
Location: 3400 N.E. 163rd Street, North Miami, Florida 33160
Directions: Oleta River State Park is located at 3400 N.E. 163rd St, off I–95 in Miami. From I-95 take NW 163rd Street exit East past US 1 (+/- 4 miles). Park entrance is located 1 mile East of US 1 on the South side of 163rd Street. From Florida Turnpike South to Golden Glades interchange follow signs that say SR 826 East/Beaches. Park entrance is located 1 mile East of US 1 on
the South side of 163rd Street.
Facilities: Large parking lot, restrooms, beach, picnic tables and grills, kayak and bike rental. The park has a concession that is open from 9AM to 1-1/2 before sunset. The concession rents canoes, kayaks and bicycles. Snack items are also available.
Activities: Outdoor activities abound at this park, including fishing, kyaking, canoeing, biking.
Rentals: Canoe, kayak and bike. Fishing: 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. Nature trails are available for hiking.
Camping: The park has 14 primitive cabins that are available to rent. Most of the cabins are equipped with one double bed, a bunk bed and air conditioning. Cabin #1 is handicapped accessible. Cabin #2 has one double bed only. Cabin #3 has 2 sets of bunk beds. While there are no kitchens or bathrooms in the cabins, a bathhouse, with hot showers, is centrally located. Linens are not provided. For availability and reservations, please contact ReserveAmerica at www.ReserveAmerica.com or 1-800-326-3521.
Contact: Phone: 305-919-1846
Hours: Florida state parks are open from 8 a.m. until sundown 365 days a year.
Maps and Stuff
Trail Map
Available at the front gate
Trail Photos
Lots of great photos to give you a good idea of what riding here is like!
Misc
Misc Trails
Gilligan's Island Trail
Mountain Biking
Oleta River State Park
Miami, Florida
Beaches, boats and bikes - Miles of trails for all levels nestled in north Miami!
by Dana Farnsworth, Outdoor Travels
Riding a mountain bike on single track in one of America's largest cities. A dream? Picture this: miles of easy and intermediate trails mixed in with a small dose of exceptionally interesting advanced level trails, a nice sandy beach for lounging, kayak and other recreational opportunities, nice rental cabins and immediate proximity to a major metropolitan area (which means plenty of post ride pub opportunities) - is it really a dream or illusion? Bike Utopia? Well, the answer is yes and no...
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. So what's wrong in paradise? Well, not much actually. I thoroughly enjoyed myself there. The scenery is nice (you'd never guess that you were more or less in the middle of a large city), the riding fun, and recreational opportunities do abound. If Oleta has one weakness it has to be the lack of REALLY advanced trails. This may not be a problem for some, but for this rider, I would put Oelta in a "must ride but don't expect too many thrills. The Gilligan's Island area contains the vast majority of the more difficult single track. In a location that had proven to be fun to ride, but not difficult, I really didn't expect too much from Gilligan's Island. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised. What the area lacks in vertical thrills, the trail builders more than made up for with plank walks, log crossings and challenging undulating switchbacks. The area far exceeded my expectations.
Generally speaking, this vast network of inter-connected trails really doesn't require much navigational skill at all to make your way around. By sort of "going with the flow", you'll find your way around the entire circuit without incident. A map certainly helps from time to time, but with the amount of biker traffic and a trail system planned around an easy to follow route, I would be surprised if anyone has ever been lost.
If I had to travel out of town for a trail system similar to Oleta, I'm not sure I would invest the time and money to visit again. On he other hand, Oleta as a whole is different though. I will be returning due to the wonderful facilities, choices of other activities and proximity to other riding spots (Markham Park). As I mentioned before Oleta has wonderful little air conditioned cabins for rent for a very fair price. Next time, I'll stay in a cabin, ride the trails and hang out at the little beach. Perhaps I'll work in a little kayaking too.
