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Safety Updates

Florida State Parks will follow local orders requiring facial coverings or masks to provide for staff and visitor safety. These requirements vary from area to area. Our main priority is the safety of our guests and staff. We will continue to review operations on a daily basis and make additional operational changes as may be deemed necessary for protection of public health. Please review individual park pages for specific information for each location.

View details about online payments, park and campground closures, park programs/events and facial coverings.

HABITAT RESTORATION IN PROGRESS

Effective Nov. 24, 2020: Oleta River State Park is undertaking a resource management project to remove 28.5 acres of invasive Australian pines and other invasive plant species. The area will then be mulched and replanted with native species. Gilligan’s Trail, a popular off-road bike trail, will be closed in December 2020 and Spring 2021.

Limited Visitation at this Park

Effective Nov. 11, 2020: Oleta River State Park is open. Due to local orders, facial coverings or masks are required inside buildings for staff and visitor safety. Visitors are expected to maintain distances of at least six feet apart.

 

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History

Bike Trail Update

The following bike trails are now open: Dragon's Gate, Dragon's Tail, Kitchen Sink, Robinson Ridge, Rocky Mile, Stairway to Heaven, and Psychopath. The remaining trails are closed.

Fishing Pier Closure

The fishing pier will be closed until further notice.

Back to Oleta River State Park

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In 1841, the river was named Big Snake Creek and was part of the route used by federal troops in the Second Seminole War to travel south from Loxahatchee. In 1881, Captain William Hawkins Fulford explored the river and settled in the area known today as North Miami. Other settlers ventured north from Miami and, by the 1890s, pineapple and vegetable farms had sprung up along the river in the newly formed town of Ojus. The river linked the Everglades with Biscayne Bay. An Indian trading post was established at what is now Greynolds Park. In 1922, Big Snake Creek was renamed the Oleta River. The historic Blue Marlin Fish House Restaurant was established in 1938 as a commercial fishing operation and evolved into a smokehouse until the 1980s. Reopened in 2007, the Blue Marlin offers tasty smoked fish and wraps.

Former Governor Bush

The Florida Forever Bill was created to assist the state in purchasing environmentally significant conservation and recreation lands.

Marjory Stoneman Douglas

Marjory Stoneman Douglas, champion of the Everglades, was a regular visitor at Oleta River State Park from its opening in 1986 and was also in attendance for the opening ceremony.

Former Governor Graham

The state of Florida acquired Oleta River State Park for the purpose of protecting and restoring the natural and cultural values of the property to benefit Floridians. The original acquisition took place in March 1980 and several individual parcels have been added since then, with a total park acreage of more than 1,000 acres. The Florida Park Service manages Oleta River State Park, which provides outdoor recreation compatible with conserving and protecting the property.

Historic Blue Marlin

The Blue Marlin was a thriving smokehouse, fishhouse, marina and restaurant that opened in 1938. The original owner of the Blue Marlin, Daniel Diefenbach, was mayor of North Miami Beach in the 1950s. Visitors to Oleta River State Park can still get a great meal at the Blue Marlin.

Oleta River

Thousands of years ago, Tequesta Indians situated their settlement camp on the river. Known in the 1800s as Big Snake Creek, the waterway was renamed the Oleta River by developers in 1922.

Florida State Parks

Main Menu

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    • Research & Collecting
  • Events
  • Get Involved
    • Corporate Partners
    • Doing Business with Parks
    • Work for Us

Have Questions?

Contact the Statewide Information Line:
(850) 245-2157

Or send an email to:
FSP.Feedback@FloridaDEP.gov

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