Experiences
Despite its small size and urban location, The Barnacle is a good site for birding.
The park's land side contains a remnant tropical hardwood hammock filled with diverse evergreens and semi-deciduous trees and shrubs that attract a variety of perching birds, doves, woodpeckers, nightjars and birds of prey — particularly during the fall and spring migrations.
Herons, pelicans, kingfishers, cormorants and shorebirds can be spotted on the bay side of the park throughout the year.
Geocaching is an outdoor game using hand-held global positioning systems (GPS) devices. It's effectively an inexpensive, interactive, high-tech treasure hunt that's a great way to learn geography. Participants use location coordinates to find caches. Some caches are easy to find; others are more difficult.
The biggest reward is the thrill of the search and the discovery of a place where you have never been. Geocaching should have minimal impact to the environment and conscientious land-use ethics should be followed.
- Picnic blankets, folding chairs and rolling coolers are allowed on the front lawn.
- There are no barbecue grills in the park. Propane and gas stoves are allowed but charcoal grills are prohibited. Grills and open flames must be at least 100 feet away from the Munroe House Museum and the Commodore's Boathouse.
- Pack it in, pack it out. There are no trash cans in the park. Picnickers must clean up and take all trash with them when they leave.
- No alcohol during day-use hours. Alcohol is permitted during after-hours special events.
- Entry into the Munroe House Museum is by guided tour only and is limited to 10 visitors at a time.
- Guided tours of the Munroe House Museum are offered Friday through Wednesday at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
- Group tours are available with advance reservations on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
- Purchase tour tickets at the park gift shop: $3 ages 13 and up; $1 ages 6 to 12; ages 5 and under admitted free.
- Call the park office at 305-442-6866 for accessibility information for people with disabilities and for group tour reservations.
Amenities
The park's out-and-back trail and restrooms are wheelchair accessible.
Trail uses
- Pedestrians, bicycles and leashed pets.
Length
- 0.3 miles each way.
Typical grade is 2.5%
- 14% of the trail is 5% to 0%.
- 182 feet (55 m) is 5% to 0%.
Maximum grades
- 8% for 100 feet (30 m) at 929 (283 m).
- 7% for 49 feet (15 m) at 805 (245 m).
- 5% for 33 feet (10 m) at 1312 (400 m).
Typical tread width is 66 inches (167 cm)
- Tread width ranges from 37 inches (94 cm) to 97 inches (246 cm).
Typical cross slope is 1.4%
- 2% of the trail is 5% to 0%.
- 27 feet (8 m) is 5% to 0%.
Maximum cross slopes
- 6% for 27 feet (8 m) at 854 (260 m).
- 5% for 100 feet (30 m) at 1029 (314 m).
- 5% for 100 feet (30 m) at 929 (283 m).
Primary trail surface is concrete
- 100% of the trail is firm or better
Surfaces
- 91% of trail is concrete.
- 4% of trail is brick/paver stone, 4% of trail is other.
The Barnacle Historic State Park has a history pickled in brine. The home with the nautical name was the residence of Ralph Middleton Munroe, a Coconut Grove pioneer, boat designer, sailor, photographer, and Commodore of the Biscayne Bay Yacht Club during its first 22 years.
When Munroe arrived in Miami in the late 19th century, small, shallow-draft sailboats were the sole means of transportation in the area. Boat maintenance and repair — Munroe’s primary occupation in addition to salvage and yacht design — were essential parts of daily life.
The property has three historic houses and serves as a tangible reminder of the Era of the Bay that ended when the Florida East Coast Railroad arrived in 1896 and Miami became a city.
- The park is named for the main dwelling, which Munroe called The Barnacle. It is the oldest house in Miami-Dade County still standing in its original location and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The second floor is older than the first. Built as a one-story house in 1891, the original structure was raised in 1908 to make room for the addition below. Today, The Barnacle is also the Munros House Museum.
- The Commodore's Boathouse was originally built in 1886 and served as the first meeting place for the founders of the Biscayne Bay Yacht Club. The building was reconstructed soon after the original was destroyed in the Great Miami Hurricane of 1926.
- The Carriage House was built in 1927. It contained a garage, laundry room, jelly room and an upstairs apartment where Commodore Munroe and his wife lived during The Barnacle's last major renovation.
The Munroe House Museum, also known as The Barnacle, was designed by Ralph Middleton Munroe, one of Coconut Grove's most charming and influential pioneer settlers. Built in 1891, the house is the oldest in Miami-Dade County still standing in its original location. It was home to the Munroe family until this historic site became The Barnacle Historic State Park in 1973, and the building still contains many original furnishings and antiques. Park visitors may enter during guided tours offered four times daily when the park is open for day use. Please see tour times and fees above.
Dogs are welcome in the park from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pets must be well-behaved and kept on a handheld leash at all times that is six feet or shorter in length. Pet owners are required to pick up after their pets and properly dispose of their droppings. Pets are not permitted during after-hours special events unless specified.
