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Matheson Hammock ParkPhoto: Anish Patel (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Matheson Hammock Park

#4 of 4 Parks & Outdoors in Miami

7.4Friend Score / 10

Miami's oldest county park wraps a man-made atoll pool — a calm, tidal lagoon flushed by Biscayne Bay — inside mangroves and palms, with the downtown skyline glowing across the water at sunset. It's shallow, warm and genuinely family-friendly. Honest caveat: on slack tides the enclosed pool can turn murky and weedy, so aim for an incoming tide and expect a $7 weekday / $10 weekend parking fee.

“The view from inside is magical: Tall palms line the area in a semicircle, their fronds dancing in the breeze while waves crash against the nearby rocks.”
— Miami New Times (Best of Miami 2022)

Key facts

Hours
Park: daily sunrise to sunset (roughly 6:00 AM - 8:00 PM, seasonal)
Atoll pool (summer): Mon-Fri 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM, Sat-Sun 9:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Atoll pool (winter): Mon-Fri 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM, Sat-Sun 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Price$
Nearest transitNo rail nearby; Miami-Dade Metrobus route 65 runs along Old Cutler Road, but the park is realistically a drive or rideshare from central Miami (about 20-30 min from Downtown/South Beach).
Time needed2-4 hours for the pool, beach and a short mangrove walk; a half-day if you add a sunset and dinner.
Best time to goLate afternoon into sunset on a weekday, ideally on an incoming/high tide when the atoll pool water is clearest and the skyline lights up across the bay.
Last verifiedJuly 13, 2026

Friend Score

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Frequently asked questions

How do I get there without a car?
It's genuinely car-oriented — the park sits on Old Cutler Road in Coral Gables with no nearby train station. Metrobus route 65 runs along Old Cutler, but for most visitors a rideshare or driving is far more practical. Budget 20-30 minutes from Downtown Miami or South Beach.
Is it good for kids and non-swimmers?
Very. The atoll pool is shallow, enclosed and calm — no waves and no strong current — which makes it one of the most reassuring spots around for toddlers and hesitant swimmers. Weekends have lifeguards, and the surrounding grass and picnic areas give families room to spread out.
Is the atoll pool actually clean and safe to swim in?
It's a man-made lagoon flushed naturally by the tides of Biscayne Bay, so the water quality swings with the tide. On an incoming or high tide it's gentle, warm and clear; on a low or slack tide it can look murky, weedy or smell brackish. Lifeguards are staffed on weekends and holidays, and it's shallow and calm — ideal for young kids.
When should I go to avoid crowds?
Weekday mornings and late afternoons are quietest. Weekends, holidays and school breaks bring big family crowds and the parking lots fill, especially on hot sunny days. If you want the calm, photogenic version of the park, come on a weekday and time it around the tide and sunset.
What is there to do besides the pool?
Plenty. There's a natural beach on the bay, shaded picnic areas with barbecue grills, mangrove and hardwood-hammock nature trails (including access near the Old Cutler trail), and a 300-slip marina with a boat ramp, fuel and a bait-and-tackle shop. Kiteboarders and windsurfers use the open bay water on breezy days.
How much does it cost to get in and park?
Entry is by vehicle: parking runs about $7 plus tax on weekdays and $10 plus tax on weekends and holidays. You pay via the ParkMobile / Pay-By-Phone app or in person at the park office. There's no separate per-person admission for the beach and atoll area.
Is there food at the park?
Yes. The waterfront restaurant NOMA Beach at Redfish sits by the marina, occupying the space of the old Red Fish Grill that closed after Hurricane Irma. It serves Italian-leaning seafood on an outdoor terrace with water views. It's a sit-down, pricier option, so many families still pack a picnic and use the park's grills and tables.
Can you see the Miami skyline from here?
Yes — that's the signature payoff. Looking north and east across the bay you get downtown Miami's towers and Key Biscayne, and it's one of the better spots in the area to watch the sun set over the water with the city as a backdrop. Bring a camera; the marina and beach edge are the best vantage points.

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