The land Crandon Park occupies was once part of the largest coconut plantation in the United States, operated by William John Matheson and his heirs.

The first animals in the zoo, including some lions, an elephant and a rhinoceros, had been stranded when a circus went out of business in Miami.

[1] The park is more than 800 acres (320 ha) in size, and has 2 miles (3.2 km) of beach on the Atlantic Ocean side.

Part of the park is set aside as the Bear Cut Preserve, a designated natural Environment Study Area.

Features include natural history exhibits, demonstration lab classroom facilities, an audio visual presentation room and a gift shop.