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Camping near Biscayne National Park

268 Reviews

Camping options around Biscayne National Park in South Florida require special attention to water access, as many sites are only accessible by boat. Elliott Key and Boca Chita Key offer primitive tent camping within the national park boundaries, both requiring boat transportation to reach these island destinations. Nearby mainland options include Larry & Penny Thompson Park and Encore Miami Everglades RV Resort, which provide developed campground facilities for both RVs and tent campers approximately 30 minutes from the park. The region also includes cabin accommodations at several campgrounds, including John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo.

Weather patterns and access logistics significantly affect camping experiences in this coastal environment. Water transportation is essential for reaching the island campgrounds within Biscayne National Park, with no land routes available. As one camper noted, "This park is all about the water. Awesome kayaking, snorkeling, and scuba diving. The water is beautiful, and the park itself is super relaxing!" Most island campgrounds have minimal facilities with vault toilets but no showers, potable water, or electrical hookups. Hurricane season (June through November) can impact camping availability, with some campgrounds like Long Pine Key in nearby Everglades National Park only operating from November to May. Mainland campgrounds generally remain open year-round but may have limited availability during winter's peak tourist season.

The mixed-use campgrounds surrounding Biscayne National Park receive varied reviews based on amenities and location. Island camping within the park boundaries appeals to boaters seeking more remote experiences despite basic facilities. According to reviews from The Dyrt, these island sites offer "beautiful aqua water for swimming, snorkeling, boating and fishing" with views of Miami's distant skyline. Mainland campgrounds like Larry & Penny Thompson Park provide more amenities but a different experience, with one visitor describing it as "a great central base camp for those visiting Biscayne NP/Everglades NP and Miami." Developed campgrounds with full hookups tend to attract longer-term visitors, particularly during winter months when seasonal travelers seek warmer conditions. Wildlife viewing, particularly marine life, represents a primary attraction across both island and mainland camping locations throughout the region.

Map showing campgrounds near Biscayne National Park, FloridaExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near Biscayne National Park (57)

    1. Larry & Penny Thompson Park

    19 Reviews
    Cutler Bay, FL
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (305) 232-1049

    "In southern Florida, campgrounds don’t usually come cheap, but we found Larry & Penny’s to be a great value with close access (30 minutes) to Biscayne National Park."

    "It is close to the Encore Everglades park (about 4 miles) so we stayed here after we departed.  The campground is divided into pods and each pod has about 15 or so sites. "

    2. Elliott Key — Biscayne National Park

    4 Reviews
    Cutler Bay, FL
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (305) 230-1144

    $25 - $35 / night

    "Biscayne National Park is almost entirely water. Enjoy snorkeling, kayaking, and everything water. A boat is needed to reach these campgrounds and are tent only. No reservations."

    3. Encore Miami Everglades

    17 Reviews
    Cutler Bay, FL
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "However, this park is located in an area where exotic fruit trees grow and many ornamental wholesale growers are. Dragon fruit, Mangos, Avocados and others."

    "This place is situated in the mirror middle of acres upon acres of ornamental trees and shrubs for sale by various companies."

    4. Boca Chita Key — Biscayne National Park

    2 Reviews
    Cutler Bay, FL
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (305) 230-1144

    $25 - $35 / night

    "This small island in Biscayne National Park offers a distant view of the Miami skyline, gorgeous aqua water for swimming, snorkeling, boating and fishing."

    5. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Campground

    32 Reviews
    Key Largo, FL
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (305) 451-1202

    $36 / night

    "The campground is very well shaded with showers and bathrooms within walking distance from any campsite. There is full hookups with 30&50amps available."

    "Bathhouse: Typical of all the other Florida state parks we have stayed in. Clean with good showers.  Activities/Amenities: This is where this park shines! Swimming, boating, snorkeling."

    6. Southern Comfort RV Resort

    8 Reviews
    Florida City, FL
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (317) 440-9562

    "This park is located right off Route 1 in Florida City. For the area this is a large park. I believe over 150 sites. The sites are decent in size."

    "Close to the Keys, Everglades, Bkscayne and shopping. Staff was helpful. I will go back."

    7. Long Pine Key Campground — Everglades National Park

    33 Reviews
    Florida City, FL
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (855) 708-2207

    "There is also a lake in the middle of the campground. Swimming is prohibited but it has a few walking trails around it. There were no "no dog signs", so we took them there for a nice walk."

    "The agent said she couldn’t look up which spots were available for the time frame we wanted, but we could drive around and find a few spots we wanted and then she could look it up. "

    8. Gods Country in Miami

    1 Review
    Homestead, FL
    13 miles
    +1 (305) 244-5201

    $30 / night

    9. The Boardwalk RV And Mobile Home Resort

    2 Reviews
    Homestead, FL
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (305) 248-2487

    "Lock your stuff up if you're going to leave anything outside. The lots are huge and clean"

    10. Key Largo Kampground & Marina

    19 Reviews
    Key Largo, FL
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (305) 451-1431

    $75 - $130 / night

    "It was tight getting our 32ft pull behind back to our spot, but folks all came out to offer tips and help us get around. So we actually got parked in fairly short order."

    "It was a very relaxing place with a site close to the water. Lots of good restaurants within a short bike trip. Also a grocery store close by. The staff was very friendly."

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Recent Camping Photos near Biscayne National Park

54 Photos of 57 Biscayne National Park Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Biscayne National Park

268 Reviews of 57 Biscayne National Park Campgrounds

  • Jenny E.
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Encore Miami Everglades

    ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING!!

    The water tested positive for fecal indicator e coli on August 1st & they failed to notify campers until 48 hours later!!! My kids brushed their teeth with that water!! 🤮 I had been visiting for 3 years & it’s only gotten worse. What a waste on renovations. And I’ve only heard complaints about the staff on site. They should invest on better property management & some activities for the campers. This place honestly sucks considering it’s Miami!!

  • Tom M.
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Encore Miami Everglades

    Terrible

    Our stay at Encore Miami Campground was unfortunately impacted by a serious and unannounced issue. We were only informed upon arrival that the campground's well water contained fecal matter and was a potential source of E. coli. This failure to provide a safety warning ahead of time was irresponsible. It meant we had to hook up to a contaminated water source, which then required us to undertake a costly and time-consuming process of disinfecting our motorhome's water system after we left. This experience was both a health concern and a major inconvenience.

  • Darren F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 7, 2025

    Topeekeegee Yugnee Park Campground

    Great Park

    Clean park friendly staff. Great amenities. There are not many downsides two that I want to discuss. The campground does sit next to a train track i believe its a commuter line so there is an early train 4am which is startling. Other downside is park closes at 8, you can still enter through the exit gate until midnight and then have to call security to get in/out.

  • Luis V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 6, 2025

    Markham Park Campground

    A Great Stay at Markham Park!

    I stayed at Markham Park on July 28 and had a wonderful experience. The campground is well-maintained, peaceful, and offers plenty of space between sites, giving a nice sense of privacy. The park itself is beautiful, with lots of shaded areas, clean facilities, and easy access to nature trails, bike paths, and water activities.

    What I loved most was how much there is to do right on site—whether you enjoy kayaking, fishing, mountain biking, or just relaxing by your campsite, this park has it all. The staff was friendly and helpful, and check-in was quick and easy.

    Overall, Markham Park is a perfect spot for a quick getaway or a longer camping trip. I’ll definitely be coming back!

  • L
    Aug. 5, 2025

    Grice's RV Park

    Very noisy campground no facilities

    Not worth staying here very close to very noisy road . No facilities. No pool. WiFi very weak. No park nearby

  • Denis P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 17, 2025

    John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Campground

    Functional RV Campground, Great Starlink Signal, Good for a Quick Stop

    We stayed one night in June with a tent - and that felt just right. This is a large, RV-oriented campground where sites come with water and power, even if you're pitching canvas rather than parking chrome.

    Privacy is minimal - the spaces are close, separated by the occasional brave shrub or decorative palm. Restrooms and showers work, but very much in the mist of centuries past. Be prepared to walk, and leave expectations of modern sparkle at the gate.

    The mosquitoes were determined, but so were we (some sprays do help). The ranger at check-in was warm, helpful, and probably the best-maintained part of the place.

    Our Starlink connection was excellent — wide open sky and solid signal made remote work completely doable.

    Not a hidden gem, but for a one-night stop, it did the job.

Guide to Biscayne National Park

Camping near Biscayne National Park, Florida, offers a unique blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure. With stunning waters, diverse wildlife, and a variety of campgrounds, it’s a great spot for families, RVers, and nature lovers alike.

What to do:

  • Snorkeling and Kayaking: The waters around Biscayne National Park are perfect for snorkeling and kayaking. One visitor mentioned, "Awesome kayaking, snorkeling, and scuba diving. The water is beautiful, and the park itself is super relaxing!" at Elliott Key — Biscayne National Park.
  • Wildlife Watching: Many campers enjoy spotting wildlife. One reviewer noted, "We saw a ton of wildlife, beautiful waters, and views" while kayaking at Elliott Key — Biscayne National Park.
  • Fishing: Fishing is another popular activity. A camper shared, "It was good fishing and nice sunsets" during their stay at the group campsite at Elliott Key — Biscayne National Park.

What campers like:

  • Privacy and Space: Campers appreciate the privacy at some sites. One visitor at Long Pine Key Campground — Everglades National Park said, "Sites are more private here than the one other Everglades established campground."
  • Clean Facilities: Cleanliness is a big plus. A reviewer at C.B. Smith Park Campground mentioned, "The campground was very clean with full hookups and sewer directly at our camp site."
  • Friendly Atmosphere: Many campers enjoy the friendly vibe. One camper at Key Largo Kampground & Marina said, "Staff is friendly. Place is clean."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds have limited amenities. A camper at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Campground noted, "The spaces are tight and close together with little to no foliage separating them."
  • Noise Levels: Noise can be an issue, especially near parks. One visitor at C.B. Smith Park Campground mentioned, "The basketball court on the other side of the fence can be a little loud until about 11pm."
  • Reservation Policies: Some campgrounds have strict reservation policies. A camper at Larry & Penny Thompson Park faced issues with their rental RV, stating, "We were told that the RV registration must be in my name."

Tips for camping with families:

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: RVers should check site sizes before booking. A camper at Kings Kampground noted, "To say these sites are tight is an understatement."
  • Be Prepared for Limited Hookups: Some campgrounds may not have full hookups. A reviewer at Southern Comfort RV Resort mentioned, "The bathrooms are from the 1950s."
  • Look for Friendly Staff: Friendly staff can make a difference. A visitor at Miami Everglades RV Resort said, "The staff was nice too, we met Jason who was super helpful."

Camping near Biscayne National Park, Florida, offers a mix of adventure and relaxation. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a quiet getaway, there's something for everyone in this beautiful area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I camp in Biscayne National Park?

Biscayne National Park is primarily water, so camping options are limited to its islands. Boca Chita Key offers primitive camping with gorgeous aqua waters for swimming and snorkeling, plus a small lighthouse and views of the Miami skyline. Elliott Key also provides tent-only camping with opportunities for snorkeling, kayaking, and other water activities. Both island campgrounds require a boat to access and operate on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations. Facilities are minimal, and you must pack in all supplies and pack out all trash. Remember that fresh water may be limited, so bring plenty with you when visiting these remote camping locations.

What is the closest city to Biscayne National Park for camping supplies?

Homestead is the closest city to Biscayne National Park for camping supplies, located just minutes from the park's main entrance and visitor center. Miami is about 35 miles north and also offers extensive shopping options. If staying at Larry & Penny Thompson Park, you'll be approximately 30 minutes from the park with easy access to Homestead's stores. The area around Homestead has grocery stores, outdoor retailers, and gas stations where you can stock up on camping essentials before heading to the park. For campers coming from the north, consider stopping in Miami or Florida City for supplies before reaching the park.

What RV camping options exist near Biscayne National Park?

Several RV camping options exist near Biscayne National Park. Encore Miami Everglades offers clean facilities with sites that are close together but suitable for seasonal stays. It's located in an area known for exotic fruit trees and provides easy access to the park. Paradise Island RV Resort is another option, though it can be crowded with limited maneuvering space for larger RVs. For those willing to drive a bit farther, Key Largo Kampground & Marina provides oceanside camping about an hour from the park. Most nearby RV parks offer full hookups, though availability may be limited during peak season, so advance reservations are recommended.

Is camping available on Elliott Key in Biscayne National Park?

Yes, camping is available on Elliott Key in Biscayne National Park. This is a tent-only camping area that requires a boat to access as the park is almost entirely water. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservation system. Elliott Key offers a true island camping experience with opportunities for snorkeling, kayaking, and enjoying water activities. Facilities are basic, so come prepared with all necessary supplies. During your stay, you can explore the island and enjoy the unique ecosystem of this marine national park. Remember that weather conditions can change quickly, so always check marine forecasts before boating to the island.

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