Enchanted Forest Elaine Gordon Park

Enchanted Forest Elaine Gordon Park lives up to its evocative name. Located in North Miami, this is one of the genuinely special free outdoor spaces in Miami-Dade County — a subtropical hammock forest park with butterfly gardens, nature trails, playground equipment, and the kind of lush, canopied natural environment that makes children feel like they're exploring somewhere truly wild.

With a 4. 6-star rating from over 1,300 reviews, this park has earned deep community affection from North Miami, Aventura, and North Miami Beach families who use it regularly. The butterfly garden is the distinctive feature — dedicated plantings that attract monarch butterflies and other native species create an immersive natural experience that metropolitan children rarely encounter.

Visiting in the morning when butterflies are most active is the optimal experience.

The nature trails wind through the hammock forest, where dense native vegetation and tree canopy create dramatically different conditions from typical open grass parks. The shade is genuinely welcome during Miami's long summer months, and the sense of exploration the trails provide keeps children engaged at a different pace than playground equipment.

Playground structures for the 2-12 age range provide the standard swings, climbing, and slides for children who want that experience. Shaded picnic areas allow families to make a longer outing with packed food.

Park hours are 7AM-5PM daily — morning visits are strongly recommended both for butterfly activity and to beat Miami's afternoon heat. Bring bug spray regardless of season; subtropical vegetation and proximity to natural water features means mosquito presence year-round.