Picnic tables along the water at Elliott Key in Biscayne National Park
When you arrive at Biscayne National Park’s Elliott Key, you will see picnic tables and grills on both sides of the harbor, a picnicker’s paradise. However, many of these are campsites. Anything with a grill and picnic table on the left side of the harbor (if your back is to the water) is a campsite, while the tables without grills are for picnicking. You will find a few of these along the harbor retaining wall.
Elliott Key Picnic Area tables in the foreground and campsites in the background, Biscayne National Park
The picnic tables and grills on the right side of the harbor are for picnicking only.
Picnic area on the right side of the harbor at Elliott Key in Biscayne National Park
Tables are spread out, so nothing is set up for large outings such as a family reunion or a corporate picnic, plus you don’t want to haul everyone out here just to find all of the tables taken—everything is available on a first come, first served basis.
Elliott Key has a modern restroom with flush toilets, sinks, and even cold water showers. The large field must be kept open for emergency helicopter use, but otherwise it can be used as a playing field.
While mosquitoes are a problem year around, if you visit from November through March they shouldn’t be too bad as long as you stay in the open areas. Once the sun warms things up they tend to go away. However, there are tons of them back in the forest, so I’d recommend staying as far away from there as you can.
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Last updated on November 1, 2023
