Sandy Beach at Oleta River State Park

A small stretch of sand inside Oleta River State Park in North Miami, run under state park rules rather than city-beach ones.

Checked October 2026

Good for a low-key beach day away from the Miami Beach crowds. The trade-off: weekday hours end at 5 pm, and you should check the state park's listing for fees and services before you go.

A beach inside a park

Sandy Beach is a stretch of sand within Oleta River State Park, off NE 34th Ave in North Miami. Google files it as a park, and that's the right way to think about it. This isn't Collins Avenue with beach bars and a boardwalk scene. It's a patch of shoreline you reach through a state park, and it holds a 4.7 from about 230 Google reviews. That's a strong score from a small, mostly local crowd. Expect fewer people than South Beach, and probably fewer services too. Bring what you need for the day, because nothing we've checked promises food or rentals nearby.

The hours are odd

Monday through Thursday it's open 8 am to 5 pm, which makes it a daytime place, full stop. Friday, Saturday and Sunday the closing time jumps to 11 pm. On weekends you can stay for a late swim, catch sunset and spend an evening on the sand without rushing out. That split is unusual for a beach and worth planning around: a Thursday sunset trip won't work, but a Friday one will. If you want the coolest part of the day, aim for the 8 am opening, before the Miami sun gets serious.

Before you drive up

The beach doesn't have its own website. It falls under Florida State Parks, so check the park's listing for entry fees, parking and closures before you leave. State parks sometimes close areas for weather or maintenance, and a small beach like this doesn't leave you much of a fallback. Pack water, shade and sunscreen, and plan to carry your trash out. North Miami is a short drive from Aventura and the northern end of Miami Beach, which makes this an easy swap when the ocean beaches feel packed.

Getting there

1. The address is NE 34th Ave, North Miami, and you get to the sand through Oleta River State Park.

Good to know

It closes at 5 pm Monday to Thursday, so save evening and sunset plans for Friday through Sunday, when it stays open until 11 pm.

Questions people ask