Campgrounds in the Florida Keys
There’s a huge variety of campgrounds in the Florida Keys.
You can find everything from old, run-down trailer parks to the fanciest, most high-end and expensive private campgrounds you could imagine.
Some campground lots in this guide sell for over a million dollars! Can you imagine paying a million dollars for a parking place?
This guide will review some spots for the best camping in the Florida Keys, and campground details. It’ll cover the spectrum, from the affordable to the absurd.
Jolly Roger RV Resort and Campground
| Address | 59275 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL 33050 |
|---|---|
| Mile Marker | Mile Marker 59 |
| Phone | (305) 289-0404 |
| Website | Jolly Roger RV Resort |
The Jolly Roger RV Resort is located on Grassy Key, just north of Marathon Key.
The location near Marathon is great for people who want to spend time around Marathon and the middle Keys.
The region is famous for fishing, offshore charters, snorkeling, scuba diving and other watersports.
The Jolly Roger campground is fairly large. It covers approximately 11 acres and has approximately 160-170 campgrounds of various types.
The campsites are nice but fairly basic. The setup varies from site to site. The large RV spaces have 50 amp electricity service. All of the sites include cable TV and wifi is available throughout the park.
RV sites vary and are either paved, gravel or grassy. There are picnic tables at all of the sites.
The sites are close together, and don’t typically offer very much privacy, but that is true of all campgrounds in the Keys.
Tent camping is listed on the Jolly Roger website, but tent sites are listed as “Not Available” as of this writing in Sept. 2021.
The campground sits on the water, and includes some waterfront sites.
There are facilities for boaters. There is an on-site boat ramp which is free for guests. There are also boat slips, a small boat harbour. Boat slips require additional payment.
The park website has a campground map which shows the RV park layout, interior and waterfront options.
The campsite allows dogs, based on a published pet policy. Pet owners should be aware that many iguanas and lizards roam the property.
There is a large, partially shaded dog park and there are designated dog walking areas.
There are on-site restrooms with hot showers. There is a laundry room that’s open 24/7.
The Jolly Roger RV Resort also has efficiency apartments for rent on a daily, weekly and monthly basis.
Like all campgrounds in the Keys the Jolly Roger is expensive, relative to what first-time visitors might expect when visiting the Keys. The waterfront sites cost more than interior non-waterfront sites.
Prices and rates vary based on the season and site details. Daily, weekly and monthly rates are available for many services.
Rental rates begin at $77 in the low-season summer months.
High-season winter rates begin at $104 for the daily rate.
There are higher prices for “Premium” and “Seawall” waterfront sites. Daily, weekly and monthly rates are available.
Apartment prices begin at $115 for the daily rate and have weekly and monthly rates, as well.
There may be discounted rates for Passport America members.
The campground is popular with boaters, scuba divers and fishermen. There are fish cleaning stations and boat slips.
Boat slips begin at $14 for inside slips and are higher for finger and harbor spots. Weekly and monthly pricing is available for boat slips.
Visitors say that the facilities, bathrooms and showers are usually very clean and are modern.
There is a designated swimming and snorkeling area. There is also a swimming pool. There are cute tiki cabanas throughout the property, along with colorful outdoor furniture.
Many guests for a day or two, and others stay for months at a time. Most visitors report that the staff is incredibly kind and does a great job of running the campground.
Overall, guests tend to be very happy at the Jolly Roger. Most visitors report that the campground is well-run, the sunsets are to die for, and that it’s a great location to explore the Middle Keys.
Some guests advise that road noise can be an issue closer to the highway, so if that’s important to you, keep the site location in mind.
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
| Address | 102601 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL 33037 |
|---|---|
| Mile Marker | Mile marker 102.5 |
| Phone | (305) 451-6300 |
| Website | John Pennekamp State Park Concessions: Boat Tours, Rentals, Etc.
|
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is one of the most popular campgrounds in the Keys.
It’s got some of the best tent camping in the Florida Keys, especially because tent camping locations are limited.
Sadly, like all state parks in the Florida Keys, John Pennekamp State Park is usually in high demand, with a limited supply of campsites and facilities.
State parks in the Keys are extremely affordable compared to both hotel rates, and private campground prices.
Partly because of the affordable price, campsites in the state park are extremely difficult to reserve. Sites often book up to eleven advance, and reservations go quickly.
There are 47 campsites in John Pennekamp State Park. Like all campgrounds in the Keys, the campsites are small and squeezed together. The sites are gravel.
There are restrooms and hot showers available for campers, and a laundry facility. Visitors say the bath houses are generally well-maintained and are kept clean. There are also outdoor showers near the beaches for rinsing off salt water.
Campsites have electrical hookups and water. There are no on-site sewer hookups, but there is a dump station.
The state park is quite large, and there are many things to do in John Pennekamp State Park.
There is a nice visitor center with an educational saltwater aquarium, a scuba dive shop, nature trails and more.
There are two man-made beaches, Cannon Beach and Far Beach. Cannon Beach is popular for swimming and snorkeling. There is a replica of a Spanish Shipwreck approximately 100 feet offshore. Far Beach is also popular for swimming.
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park has some of the beach snorkeling in the Florida Keys. The best snorkeling is found offshore reefs, and is accessible via boat.
The park concessionaire operates boat rentals, snorkeling tours, scuba diving and a glass bottom boat tour. There is an on-site scuba dive shop.
The State Park covers and protects approximately 70 square nautical miles of ocean and coral reef ecosystem. The park is also near the Christ of the Deep statue, found in the Key Largo National Marine Sanctuary.
There is a deep-water boat ramp on-site which can be used to launch large boats. There is a $10 boat launch fee.
There are also boat slips for rent, and mooring balls. Slips include water, electricity, and use of bathroom and shower facilities. Slips and mooring balls also include trash disposal, pump-out and full use of the state park.
This brochure from the park concessionaire contains additional details.
Curry Hammock State Park
| Address | 56200 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL 33050 |
|---|---|
| Mile Marker | Mile marker 56 |
| Phone | (305) 289-2690 |
| Website | Curry Hammock State Park |
Curry Hammock is one of the best campgrounds in the Florida Keys. It’s definitely one of the lowest-cost camping options, and one of the highest quality experiences.
There are 28 campsites in Curry Hammock State Park. All of the sites have parking for cars and RVs, and have water and electricity.
There is an RV dump station at the end of the campground loop.
The campsites are relatively large when compared to other campgrounds in the Keys.
It’s a favorite for many people, and gets much less attention than other state parks like John Pennekamp and Bahia Honda, which are much more well known, and therefore more crowded.
The best things about it are the low cost and great waterfront location in the middle Keys.
Waterfront campgrounds have ocean views, but the beach and waterfront are not directly accessible from the campsites.
Curry Hammock State Park is one of the best places for tent camping near the beach in Florida. Some sites have sand tent pads for more comfortable sleeping. The state park website says that RVs of up to 70 feet can be accommodated.
The location is good for convenient access to Marathon and many things to do.
The state park is near many restaurant options and shopping in Marathon, which is just south of Little Crawl Key, where Curry Hammock State Park is located.
Marathon also offers a great number of things to do, including fishing, boating, offshore fishing charters, restaurants and many more activities.
Curry Hammock State Park offers one of the best Florida Keys camping experiences. Campsites are larger than most in the Keys and have more trees and shade than most other options.
The bathrooms and showers are usually kept very clean; many visitors report that among the nicest they’ve ever seen in a state park.
There is a bathhouse with hot showers for campers’ use only, and there are other restrooms with cold showers for other park visitors in the day-use area.
There is a children’s playground with swings and a slide. There are several covered picnic shelters.
The stars can be very bright in this area of the Keys due to a lack of light pollution. A local astronomy club visits the park on Saturday nights when the skies are clear. Contact park rangers for more information.
The nature around Curry Hammock State Park is amazing. There is a small nature trail, which is one of the few hiking trails in the Keys. The Hammock Hike is 1.5 miles.
The park staff offer guided nature walks, kayak tours and other organized programs.
There are several miles of paddling trails around the park, and there is a wide variety of marine life to see. The park offers kayak rentals and guided tours through kayak trails and mangrove forests that are filled with wildlife.
Many visitors are excited to see small sharks in the clear water.
There are also crocodile warning signs, which is unique, since American crocodiles only live in this very small region of south Florida.
Like the rest of the Keys, Curry Hammock is a great place for spotting migratory birds. The best way to see them is to take a guided kayak tour through the mangrove forests.
The beach is also home to a lively community of hermit crabs that are visitor favorites. It’s often possible to see them switching shells, which many people have never seen before.
There is a 1,200 foot-long beach, but it is not attractive for some beachgoers. The beach area is rather small and the water is shallow for a long way offshore. The sea floor is covered in sea grass, which is healthy and an important part of the ecosystem.
The water visibility can vary, and there is often a large amount of sargassum and seaweed on the sandy beach.
Most people enjoy it, but some people are disappointed due to unrealistic expectations.
Pets are allowed in the park, but only in designated areas. They are not allowed on the beach.
Visitors should be aware that noseeums and biting insects can be intense at Curry Hammock State Park!
Boyd’s Key West Campground
| Address | 6401 Maloney Ave, Key West, FL 33040 |
|---|---|
| Mile Marker | Mile Marker 5 |
| Phone | (305) 294-1465 |
| Website | Boyd’s Key West Campground |
Boyd’s Campground is a long-standing member of the Key West landscape.
It was opened in 1963 by two newlywed Canadians — Boyd and Elsie Hamilton. They allegedly started driving south to escape from the Canadian winter, and kept driving until they hit Key West.
Boyd’s Key West Campground is one of the best options for camping in Key West. Actually, to be accurate, it is not actually in Key West, it is on the island next door. But, it’s still the best and most convenient campground near Key West.
The best part is that it’s only a few minutes drive from downtown Key West.
Without a doubt, it is the best campground base for traveling to and from Key West, because the other options are all further away.
But, this campground is very expensive. Check the prices via this rate sheet.
Boyd’s campground has waterfront RV sites with full hookup. There are a variety of site options and different electric service variations. Check their site for full details and options, as well as their campground map.
Boyd’s Key West Campground offers tent camping, and is one of the only options for tent camping near Key West. Some of the tent sites are near the water.
Boyd’s offers many amenities. They have a pool, marina, laundry facilities, and bathhouses.
There are four bathhouses. Each has restrooms, showers, power outlets and dish washing facilities. There is also a laundry room near the office. The washing machines and dryers are coin-operated. The office sells laundry supplies.
They also offer equipment rentals, including kayaks and paddle boards. Boat slips, trailer storage and boat ramp facilities are all available.
Like all campgrounds in the Keys, the campsites are narrow and do not offer privacy from neighboring campsites.
Bluewater Key RV Park
| Address | 2950 Overseas Hwy, Key West, FL 33040 |
|---|---|
| Mile Marker | Mile Marker |
| Phone | (305) 745-2494 |
| Website | Blue Water Key RV Resort |
Bluewater Key is a very upscale resort campground.
Many of the campsites are privately owned RV lot condominiums, or are rented out by owners. Some RV sites are for sale, it’s interesting to see the insanely high prices. At the time of this writing several are listed for around $1 million.
Rental prices are very expensive. Prices vary depending on site location, tier and the season. There are different minimum stay requirements based on the season, as well.
RV sites in Bluewater Key come with private tiki cabanas and full RV hookups. There are many other amenities, as well, including a dog park, clubhouse, dock and more. Some of the RV sites are on the water, and others are inland. They are also categorized based on the luxuriousness of site-specific amenities, such as tiki hut size.
Bluewater Key doesn’t allow tent camping, or anything other than fully self-contained, hard-sided RVs. They don’t allow soft-sided popup campers, truck campers or hybrid campers.
Fiesta Key RV Resort
| Address | 70001 Overseas Hwy, Layton, FL 33001 |
|---|---|
| Mile Marker | Mile Marker 70 |
| Phone | (305) 249-1035 |
| Website | Fiesta Key RV Resort |
Fiesta Key is a very nice campground. The grounds are beautiful and the island has a very nice ambiance.
There are waterfront sites, as well as non-waterfront. There are also other options, including tent sites, tiny house cabins, villas and travel trailers for rent. There are also long-term site rental options, including annual leases.
Tents are not allowed.
The tiny house rentals are particularly exciting for people who wonder what it would be like to live in a tiny house in the Florida Keys, which is a dream for many people.
There are many nice amenities and facilities, including an on-site restaurant/bar, marina, pool, playground and more.
Guests say the on-site restaurant and bar is a welcome feature because it eliminates the hassle of trying to enjoy drinks and make it back home safely without driving. It’s also worth noting that there are few, if any, other restaurant options in the area.
Some RV sites have full hookups; 50 amp electric service, water and on-site sewer. Others are non-sewer.
There is a boat ramp, as well as boat slips and a marina facility. There are many activities, including a heated pool, on-site fishing, basketball, horseshoes and more.
There are laundry facilities; washers and dryers operate by credit card.
There is a dog run for dog walking and exercise. There is a two pet limit with a combined pet weight limit of 50 lbs.
There are many things to do near Long Key, including the Dolphin Research Center and Long Key State Park.
Sun Outdoors RV Resort
| Address | 311 Johnson Rd, Summerland Key, FL 33042 |
|---|---|
| Mile Marker | Mile Marker 20 |
| Phone | (855) 462-3423 |
| Website | Sun Outdoors Sugarloaf Key |
Sun Outdoors (Formerly Lazy Lakes RV Resort) is located on Sugarloaf Key.
Note: Some amenities and details may have changed since the ownership change; please be sure to verify any relevant details with the park directly.
This RV park is not oceanfront, and does not have ocean access. But, it does sit on a large 7-acre saltwater lake, so there is some waterfront ambience.
The park has several dozen RV campsites, including some pull-thru sites. Sites have full hookups, including sewer and various sites offer 20, 30 or 50 amp electrical service.
The park also has several park model tiny houses for rent.
The park has many amenities. There are bathhouses and laundry facilities. There are activities on-site, including horseshoe pits, a clubhouse with a book exchange, pinball, pool table and other activities.
There is a fishing dock and a heated pool.
The rates are lower in the summer, and are more expensive in the winter, as is true with most campgrounds in the Keys. Check this link for current prices. This link also has a campground map.
The sites are small and do not offer privacy from neighboring campsites.
Hurricane Irma caused devastating damage to Sugarloaf Key. It damaged much of the foliage in Sugarloaf Key and the surrounding area.
Sugarloaf Key is a convenient location and relatively close to Key West. The distance to Key West is approximately 15 minutes by car. There is also access to the public bus service, but some guests say that it’s so slow it’s not worth using.
Sun Outdoors Sugarloaf Key is pet friendly, according to their pet policy.
Geiger Key RV Resort
| Address | 5 Geiger Rd, Key West, FL 33040 |
|---|---|
| Mile Marker | Mile Marker 10.5 |
| Phone | (305) 294-1230 |
| Website | Geiger Key Marina and RV Resort |
Note: The Geiger Key RV Resort website says: “Please note our RV park is NOT child-friendly, there are no play areas for children such as a pool or beach.”
Geiger Key RV Resort has both waterfront and non-waterfront campsites. All sites are back-in. There are also several RV trailers for rent. They have both daily and weekly rates.
Please refer to this link for all camping and rental rates.
The RV park has bathhouses with showers, boat slips, tiki cabanas, and more.
There are on-site activities and a restaurant which features live music performances. The Fish Camp restaurant has daily lunch and dinner service, and breakfast on weekends. It also hosts a weekly Sunday barbeque dinner.
The marina also offers offshore deep-water fishing, kayak and paddle board rentals.
One interesting feature of Geiger Key RV Park is that it is near an air base, so the sound and sight of aircraft may be fun and exciting, or annoying, depending on your perspective.
Key Largo Kampground and Marina
| Address | 101551 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL 33037 |
|---|---|
| Mile Marker | Mile Marker 101.5 |
| Phone | (305) 451-1431 |
| Website | Key Largo Kampground |
The Key Largo Kampground is one of the best and nicest campgrounds in the Keys.
It’s one of the most popular campgrounds in Key Largo, and it’s a solid choice for a private campground.
Like all RV parks in the Keys, the campsites are crowded, and there is not much privacy from neighboring sites.
The Key Largo Kampground is waterfront, and has ocean access. Guests can swim, snorkel and dive from the campground. There is a boat ramp and the campground has 14 boat slips.
Some RV sites are waterfront, and others are interior. The park is large, and covers 40 acres. There are tent sites; some have electricity and some do not.
There are laundry facilities and two bath houses with hot showers.
The campground has a variety of useful features and amenities.
There is a heated swimming pool and children’s pool. There is also a small, shaded playground.
There are also other activities, including a volleyball court, horseshoe court, bocce ball, basketball court, and more.
There is an open-air lounge and a clubhouse that hosts bingo, dancing, pot luck dinners and holiday parties.
One of the best features of the Key Largo Kampground is its location. It’s very convenient to Key Largo, and the surrounding area. There are a ton of things to do in Key Largo, and this campground would be a good base to explore from.
There are nearby stores and necessities one block from the campground, including a Publix grocery store, library, fitness center and more.
Sunshine Key RV Resort
| Address | 38801 Overseas Hwy, Big Pine Key, FL 33043 |
|---|---|
| Mile Marker | Mile Marker 38.7 |
| Phone | (305) 872-2217 |
| Website | Sunshine Key RV Resort |
Sunshine Key RV Resort is one of the best RV parks in the Florida Keys.
Visitors generally love their stay at Sunshine Key, and most guest experiences seem to be mostly very positive.
Guests say that the bathrooms are kept very clean, despite a high number of users.
Negative reviews often focus on complaints about after-hours noise and security who refuse to solve the noise issues.
Many visitors also say they were disturbed by unsupervised children who drive golf carts late into the night.
Visitors also complain about bad smells from decomposing seaweed, small campsites and other things that are common in most Florida Keys campgrounds.
Some visitors also complain about rude interactions with staff and a lack of communication, since they can only contact a corporate “Reservation Department” number instead of the campground itself.
The Sunshine Key Campground has many various amenities and offerings.
Sunshine Key also offers RV rentals for people who do not have their own RV. This feature is especially valuable for people who may be considering buying an RV; it gives the chance to rent an RV and try it out to see what it’s like to live in an RV without having to worry about driving, parking, or any of the technical hurdles to RV ownership.
There are tiny houses for rent, which are also an amazing opportunity for anyone curious about living in a tiny house.
The campground has a playground, swimming pool, various sporting courts, kayaking, and more. There is sometimes on-site live music.
There is an on-site marina, fishing pier, laundry facilities and more. View a campground map here.
Ohio Key is fairly large. The park has 399 sites and covers 75 acres of the island, Ohio Key.
The location gives excellent access to the nearby Bahia Honda State Park, which offers a ton of things to do and some of the best beaches in the Florida Keys.
It’s located in the lower Keys, on Ohio Key. It sits on the Overseas Highway at the end of the famous Seven Mile Bridge.
It sits just north of Bahia Honda Key and Bahia Honda State Park.
There is an on-site tour operator, Keys Boat Tours. They also rent watersports equipment, including SUP paddle boards, kayaks, and more. They also offer bicycles, fishing charters and snorkeling tours.
On the downside, the Sunshine Key RV Resort is expensive, which is true for all private RV parks and campgrounds in the Keys.
Sunshine Key only accepts certified RVs. Tent camping is not allowed, but eligible pop-ups and truck campers are allowed if they are properly certified RVs.
Bahia Honda State Park Campground
| Address | 36850 Overseas Hwy, Big Pine Key, FL 33043 |
|---|---|
| Mile Marker | Mile Marker 36.8 |
| Phone | (305) 872-2353 |
| Website | Bahia Honda State Park |
Bahia Honda State Park is definitely one of the best campgrounds in the Keys.
The worst part about Bahia Honda is that it’s almost impossible to get reservations. Sites are booked up almost immediately, as soon as they’re made available eleven months in advance.
The campground also has reduced capacity because the Sandspur Campground was destroyed in 2017 by Hurricane Irma.
There are no plans to rebuild or reopen the Sandspur Campground. At this time, all camping is limited to the Buttonwood Campground.
Bahia Honda has approximately 80 campsites. The campsites in Bahia Honda State Park are gravel. There are also a limited number of tent sites.
All of the campsites in Bahia Honda have a picnic table, water and a grill. Some have electric hookups, and some are non-electric.
There is a bathhouse for campers with restrooms, hot showers and an RV dump station.
Bahia Honda State Park also has three duplex rental cabins. Sadly, the cabins are even harder to reserve than the campground.
On the plus side, camping in Bahia Honda is definitely one of the best possible experiences when camping in the Keys.
The price is also much lower cost because the rates are set by Florida State Parks, instead of private corporations.
Bahia Honda has an on-site concessionaire. The concessionaire rents kayaks and sells general supplies, as well as basic snack-bar type food. It also includes a dive shop.
There is an on-site marina and boat basin in Bahia Honda State Park, with a boat ramp.
Bahia Honda has some of the best beaches in the Florida Keys, although the award-winning Sandspur Beach is closed due to hurricane damage.
There is excellent on-site swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving.
Long Key State Park
| Address | 67400 Overseas Hwy, Layton, FL 33001 |
|---|---|
| Mile Marker | Mile Marker 67.5 |
| Phone | (305) 664-4815 |
| Website | Long Key State Park |
Important: The campground is only partially operational and does not have RV camping as of September, 2021.
Long Key State Park used to be one of the best campgrounds in the Florida Keys.
Before Hurricane Irma, Long Key had a full-service state park campground. It had 60 RV and trailer campsites and 14 tent campsites.
Due to hurricane damage the park now has only a very limited number of tent camping spots. The sites are hike-in only, and are not accessible for RVs, trailers, vehicles or car camping.
The campsites are waterfront and face the Atlantic Ocean. The sites are primitive and don’t include water or electric hookups. Each site does include a grill, picnic table, and a hammock stand. There are on-site showers, but they are cold.
The campground at Long Key State Park has a beach and a hiking trail which is approximately 1.5 miles long.
Long Key State Park is some of the only tent camping in the Florida Keys, and is one of the only places you can camp in a tent on the beach.
