Florida’s award winning state parks are exceptional both because of their beauty and their diversity. They cover everything from magnificent beaches and sparkling springs to historical and archaeological sites and so much more.

Did you know that the park system also has lighthouses and one of the most impressive of these is at Cape Florida?

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park is the home of a historic lighthouse built in 1825 and reconstructed in 1846. It is the oldest standing structure in Miami-Dade County. Guided tours of the lighthouse and lighthouse keeper's cottage are given twice daily, Thursdays through Mondays.

Now, thanks to the generosity of the Florida State Parks Foundation, Bachelor Foundation and Friends of Cape Florida, many more people will be able to enjoy the incredible views from the top of the lighthouse over Biscayne Bay.

Television cameras have been installed outside the watch room at the top of the lighthouse feeding live pictures of the views to two large flat screen monitors mounted at the bottom of the tower. Now visitors who can’t climb the lighthouse can also enjoy the views from the summit.