West Lake Park — Attraction in Hialeah

For over five years, West Lake Park has become my sanctuary—a true home away from home. Each time I set out on the water, I am greeted with a unique perspective, shaped by different trails and varying weather conditions. The beauty of the park is that no two paddling experiences are alike; whether it's the gentle ripples of a calm morning or the vibrant colors of a sunset reflecting off the water, there's always something new to admire. The waterways are impeccably maintained, ensuring a pleasant journey, and in case of emergencies—like getting lost—the marina staff are incredibly helpful and ready to assist.

One of my favorite traditions at West Lake Park is hosting a Paddling Potluck party every year at one of the many pavilions scattered throughout the park. It’s an event I look forward to as it brings together fellow paddlers, fostering a sense of community and camaraderie. Sharing food and stories around the picnic tables while overlooking the tranquil waters is an experience that never fails to fill my heart with joy. With rentals being very reasonable, it makes it easy for both seasoned paddlers and newcomers to join in on the fun. Every moment spent at West Lake Park reinforces my love for this beautiful oasis and the unforgettable memories...

My wife and I visited West Lake Park on a Tuesday, specifically to paddle the mangrove forests around West Lake in our own kayaks. The park is very clean and well maintained. Park staff were doing some tree trimming maintenance while we were there, and the grass was trimmed and well maintained. There is plenty of parking available and restrooms were open and accessable. The park welcome center and boat rental office wasn't open during our visit and a posted notice listed the weekdays the office is open. Park access was free on the day of our visit but is very reasonable, per vehicle, on the days a fee is assessed. There's a rather steep public boat launch offering three types of terrain (paved, stone, and gravel laced sand), for launching personal watercraft. In contrast, the park kayak concession is equipped with a very gently sloping soft sand beach launch area. I'd have given a higher review rating if the public ramp actually had a soft sand launch option. Once on the water, a single canal leads to West Lake. There are numerous trails and paths among the mangrove forests and we only encountered dangerous oyster beds in two locations. I recommend the park and we hope to visit it again...

West Lake Park is a large, serene park located along Sheridan St. and is open daily from 8am - 7:30pm. The entrance fee is $1.50 per person on weekends and holidays, and free during the week. The park offers so many activities for family fun such as:

Basketball courts Interpretive/picnic shelters Water play fountain Small playground Fishing pier Handball courts Racquetball/tennis courts Volleyball nets Canoe & kayak rentals Vending snack concession

You can walk around the park's trail to view the amenities. The park is so quiet that you can hear these big green iguanas crawling through the grass...EEK!

I've learned that the park has canoe/kayak tours and classes. You have to register for the programs. Once you've completed the Basic Kayak Class where you learn the required equipment, techniques, paddle strokes, braces, and turning methods necessary to properly handle a canoe and/or kayak; you can then experience either the Moonlight or Sunrise tour on West Lake. The West Lake Paddling Eco-Tour explores the trails of West Lake, learns about its history, and discovers its...