Discover Miami Lakes
9 carefully curated photography spots with GPS coordinates, shooting tips, and local insights
Veteran's Park
Small, historic hammock park with towering native trees, lush ferns, vines, a shaded pavilion and winding trails—excellent for intimate nature, bird and park-scene photography. Visit early morning for active birds (blue jays) and soft light, or late afternoon for warm tones; weekdays and mornings are quieter. Easy parking on-site, accessible paths and clean restrooms. No entry fee; family-friendly community park with good safety and local events year-round.
Youth Center Park East
Small community park with lakeside paths, manicured lawns, playgrounds and mature trees — good for serene waterscape reflections, intimate nature shots and environmental portraits. Best at sunrise or golden hour for warm light and glassy reflections; weekday mornings are quiet. Easy street parking; flat, accessible paths; no entry fee. Watch for local families and sports activities on weekends.
Miami Lakes Optimist Park
Small suburban park centered on a reflective lake and boardwalk—great for calm waterscape shots, birdlife, and golden-hour reflections. Accessible paved paths, picnic areas and parking make gear transport easy. Best visits are sunrise or late afternoon for warm light and fewer people; expect mosquitoes in summer. No entry fee; weekend afternoons can be busier with families and sports activity.
Happy Tappy Dog Park
Small community off-leash dog park popular for active dogs and candid pet portraits. Photograph fast action, joyful expressions, leash-free running lines, and owner-dog interactions. Best light at golden hour or late afternoon through trees; weekday mornings are quieter. On-site parking and no admission fees; be courteous—ask owners before photographing close portraits. Expect flat grassy areas, shaded benches, and seasonal crowds for weekend meetups.
Guido’s Domino Plaza
A small open-air community plaza centered on domino tables and social gatherings—great for candid street-style portraits, close-ups of hands and tiles, and environmental shots showing local life. Best at golden hour or early evening when players gather and warm light flatters faces; weekdays mornings are quieter. Easily accessible with free street/lot parking; no entry fee. Respect players’ space and ask before shooting; casual, colorful community energy reflects Miami’s Cuban/Latin social scene
K-9 Cove
Small, fenced dog park beside a canal in Miami Lakes — great for pet action, candid owner-dog interactions, close-up wildlife (iguanas) and grassy low-angle portraits. Best light is golden hour or late afternoon; weekday mornings are quieter. Easy street parking on Palmetto Frontage Rd; park is free with potable dog fountains and waste stations. Note nearby highway noise and occasional crowding or hygiene issues—bring wipes and be respectful of leashed areas.
Royal Oaks Park
Small suburban park centered on a reflective lake, mature oak stands and manicured lawns — good for intimate landscape, waterscape and nature shots. Visit at sunrise or golden hour for warm side-light on oaks and glassy reflections; late afternoon can produce dramatic backlight through leaves. Easy access with free parking, paved paths and no entry fee; expect local families and sports activity on weekends.
Graham Park
Small community park with open lawns, shady palms and sports fields—good for sunrise/sunset skies, relaxed family-life street scenes, and low-angle landscape compositions. Easy access with free parking on Bull Run Rd; no entry fee. Best visited at golden hour or quiet weekday mornings for soft light and fewer people. Bring insect repellent in summer; watch for active local sports and community gatherings.