Heading to Miami-Dade's parks, marinas, and beaches this Memorial Day Weekend? Brace yourself for traffic jams and packed parking lots. In anticipation of a surge in visitors, Miami-Dade Parks is urging everyone to plan their trips in advance. Beachgoers and boaters should expect early capacity crowds, particularly at boat ramps and marina parking lots, according to a Miami-Dade County announcement.

Prep for your outing with critical tidbits - glass and polystyrene containers are a no-go in these natural havens, and pups may only roam in designated dog-friendly areas. Keep an eye out for banned floating devices in swimming areas. Want to snag a picnic table or shelter? It's a race, with tables up for grabs on arrival and shelters needing a reservation—play it safe by giving the park a ring to check availability, as traffic will be heavy with parking lots likely reaching full capacity early in the day.

To avoid the hassle of payment lines, park officials recommend downloading and using the Pay-by-Phone app. You can pay the parking fee lickety-split by keying in your zone # on arrival. If you're old school or app-averse, have your cash (exact change, please) or credit card ready for the on-site machines—but be warned, lines can get long for those opting for this payment method.