Camping near Cutler Bay, Florida offers options within 40 miles of town ranging from urban parks to remote island sites. The area sits at the junction of urban development and natural ecosystems, with an average elevation of less than 10 feet above sea level. Most campgrounds in the region operate year-round except for national park sites that close during hurricane season.
What to do
Kayaking in Biscayne National Park: Visitors can explore mangrove forests by launching from mainland access points. As one camper at Elliott Key — Biscayne National Park noted, "When we went, we did a lot of kayaking. We saw a ton of wildlife, beautiful waters, and views."
Hiking nearby trails: The Long Pine Key trails provide access to pine forest ecosystems. A visitor at Long Pine Key Campground mentioned, "The park is absolutely beautiful too. There are tons of gators, lizards, and other animals to find. But definitely be careful as well!"
Swimming in campground pools: Several RV resorts offer swimming facilities for cooling off. According to one camper at Encore Miami Everglades, "They have a really nice big pool, shuffleboard, putt putt golf, arcade and walking trail."
What campers like
Convenient base location: Campgrounds provide strategic access to multiple attractions. A camper at Long Pine Key Campground shared, "My wife and I spent 4 days at Long Pine Key Campground in December. The weather was great. Plenty to see and do in the Everglades National Park (hiking, kayaking, cycling, bird watching, etc)."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The region's diverse ecosystems support abundant wildlife. At Boca Chita Key Campground, one camper reported, "It is home to many animals and plants with over 500 species of fish. Beautiful coral reefs."
Budget-friendly options: Several campgrounds offer affordable rates compared to hotel accommodations. A visitor at Southern Comfort RV Resort noted, "No paver here everything is on dirt. Very cozy place, planty of shades, little swimming pool and friendly people all around. You just can't beat the price! $18 if you have Passport America membership."
What you should know
Security concerns: Some campgrounds have reported theft issues. One camper at Southern Comfort RV Resort warned, "We stayed for a week. Not many frills, certainly not a resort and bathroom frequently ran out of TP, but as a relatively affordable base of vacation operations it was good."
Water quality issues: Pay attention to potable water notifications. A recent visitor to Encore Miami Everglades reported, "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."
Site size limitations: Many campgrounds have tight spacing between sites. A camper at Long Pine Key cautioned, "Pads on the 108 sites are paved but short! Our site F-92 was labeled 29-33 feet, but our 24'6" was barely out of the road with the rear hanging into the brush."
Tips for camping with families
Recreation options: Find campgrounds with dedicated family activities. At Encore Miami Everglades, a family noted, "Myself, my husband, and our 2 year old son recently started camping as a family. We originally chose Miami Everglades RV Resort as a site to test our new equipment. It is close to home, so we figured if something went wrong, we'd just pack up and come home."
Wildlife protection: Be vigilant with food storage and waste. A camper at Larry & Penny Thompson Park shared, "We camped here for 6 nights as a home base while fishing the area. Beware of the feral cats and raccoons though. We spent an entire night fending them off with a slingshot and they didn't bother us again."
Swimming alternatives: During summer heat, find campgrounds with water features. A visitor to Larry & Penny Thompson Park mentioned, "I'm a tent camper and loved this area. Overall great value with a swimming pool and washer/dryers."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Request perimeter sites for more privacy. An RVer at Larry & Penny Thompson Park advised, "This is city owned and operated Park/Campground. The RV's are assigned space around several pods. Each pod has its own bathhouse with laundry facilities. There are pull through spots for the big motorhomes and spots reserved for the handicapped."
Weekend noise awareness: Some campgrounds have weekend activities that increase noise levels. A visitor to Southern Comfort RV Resort reported, "Last campground before the Keys. Lots of sites. Not overly large sites so you may have trouble parking at your site. It gets crowded during the NASCAR race as the Homestead track is 5 miles down the road."
Entrance navigation: Some parks have challenging access points. One RVer staying at Southern Comfort RV Resort noted, "Stayed here one night on the way to the FL Keys. The entrance is a little hidden and tight but doable. We were towing a 36' travel trailer."
