Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Biscayne National Park

Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Biscayne National Park

268 Reviews of 34 Biscayne National Park Campgrounds

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  SwitchbackKids

  Legend

  Jun. 29, 2017

  Larry & Penny Thompson Park

  Good amenities and close access to Biscayne National Park

  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.

  At $17/night for a tent site, we got wifi, access to laundry, great showers, and a perfectly adequate site. We weren’t spending much time at the actual campground, so we didn’t mind that it wasn’t the most scenic place we’d seen during our year on the road. Larry & Penny’s was a perfect place to crash!

  Visiting Biscayne National Park was a bit more frustrating. We knew going in that they had not been running regular tours out to the keys, the heart of the park, because of issues with switching to a new concessioner. We thought that our 10 days in southern Florida (visiting Biscayne and Everglades) would be plenty of time for us to figure out a way to get to the keys, but a private charter from Miami wasn’t worth it to us, so we disappointedly stuck to the mainland park.

  Since we had our own kayak, we were able to skirt the shore and paddle through some of the mangrove forests in Biscayne. This was the highlight of our two short days at Biscayne, since the only other activity we could do was explore the visitor center and walk the very short boardwalk trail.

  We’ll be back, Biscayne!

  You can read much more about our two days in the park on our blog: Switchback Kids (Biscayne)

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• 

  Lindsay B.

  Ranger

  Jun. 18, 2015

  Elliott Key — Biscayne National Park

  A Water Wonderland

  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.

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  Paula C.

  Ranger

  Apr. 10, 2021

  Encore Miami Everglades

  Nice stopping resort to see the attractions around Miami

  The people are nice and the park clean. The sites are close together, I suppose to allow for many seasonal residents.

  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.

  An easy drive to visit the Everglades National Park and the Biscayne National Park.

• 

  Katrin M.

  Legend

  Feb. 16, 2023

  Long Pine Key Campground — Everglades National Park

  Quiet campground in the Everglades

  We camped here for 4 days with our dogs. The campground is in the Everglades National Park, so you have to pay an extra $30 for up to 7 days. Long Pine Key has spacious campsites with a picnic bench and a firepit but no electricity. The check in at the front provides firewood and ice. The showers (only cold water) are separate from the bathrooms. The were large but older. The toilets were very clean but very narrow. 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. Be aware of wildlife - we saw a beautiful cottonmouth. It is about a 10min drive to the Anhinga trail. It is beautiful there. You can see alligators, turtles, birds, and fish. Unfortunately it is very hard to find spots to take your dogs. If you want to visit Biscayne National Park, it is about a 40 min drive. Don't forget bug spray and sunscreen!

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• 

  Jean C.

  Legend

  Feb. 27, 2020

  Boca Chita Key — Biscayne National Park

  You'll need a boat, but it's gorgeous

  This small island in Biscayne National Park offers a distant view of the Miami skyline, gorgeous aqua water for swimming, snorkeling, boating and fishing. A small lighthouse stands above the protected harbor. There's a small trail around the wooded end of the island. 

  You can stay on your boat or pitch a tent on the island. There are spots along the shore and if it's full, you can pitch a tent on the grassy field. The back of the island has a small beach for swimming.  It's $25/night to camp for up to 6 people with an additional charge if you have more in your group. Pay the iron ranger.

  Between generators and music, it's not a quiet island. Tour boats from the park bring crowds a couple of times a time.

  There are flush toilets and the odor is so strong you won't linger! Bring potable water. 

  There are picnic tables and grills available.

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• 

  Felicia R.

  Traveler

  Apr. 8, 2023

  Key Largo Kampground & Marina

  Not what I expected

  So first ...the lits are privately owned. There is an HOA. Owner of site has authority over site not the staff. So if the staff makes an error with dates of your visit and the owners show up to stay at their site....you will need to pack up. Happened to us. The area is mostly fulltime/permanent traders that have been converted into a trailer house. Laundry room is not air conditioned. The "store/gift shop" is more of a check in and mail/package pick up. Dog friendly but not alot of grassy areas for dogs to play and do there business. 90% of area is like sand seashell material. There is a very small beach area...no dogs allowed. Kids playground is nice. Pool was opened...I did not go into pool area. We took our 2 digs down to Marathon FL to a dog park. Very nice and quiet with nice walking trail. I would not recommend this camp site.

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• 

  Karen S.

  Guide

  Jan. 12, 2024

  Larry & Penny Thompson Park

  Quiet and Peaceful Campground, trees, greenery and option for long term

  This is a very nice campground which is part of the Miami-Dade County park system.  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.  We were in pod 4 site 20 (420 lol).  We booked this camp with the intent to stay for a month or longer as my husband had an opportunity to Captain boats in Miami.  

  The park was very quiet.  Most of the campers were retirees, a few families with kids, but we were there in early January.  The grounds are nicely maintained with lots of places to walk and open space with trees.  They don't allow dogs off-leash and although it is adjacent to the rest of the Larry & Penny park, dogs are not even allowed in the main park, at all.  We did however find a few dog parks within four miles or so which were nice.

  They have a very nice pool which was open daily Wed- Sunday 11am - 5pm.  It was raining and rather dreary during our stay so we didn't use the pool.  They have a nice Clubhouse and it looked okay with tables, chairs, books, puzzles, but again very quiet.  Not many activities except for a few and we didn't stay long enough to participate.  After a week, we decided to make moves back home to Lake Tahoe.  It was unseasonably cold, raining so no boat work and not an ideal spot for the dogs.  They don't have WiFi and since we were planning a longer stay, purchased the Starlink system since I work remote during the winter.  Starlink worked great, but costs $500+ to get started and then $120 or so a month.  If you are looking for an affordable long term/monthly stay, it is great.  The rates were $850 a month for full hook-ups.  They had last minute space available, too.  

  If you are in the area, check out the Miami Zoo.  We were there when they had the "Zoo Lights" a super fun evening event.  They have other events at the Zoo and lots to do nearby.  You are closer to town than Everglades Encore, but still close to the agricultural area.  I recommend but not as fun or as many activities as some other places.

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  Thom T.

  Traveler

  Oct. 10, 2018

  Southern Comfort RV Resort

  Best Park in Florida City

  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. The park fills up quickly come the winter time with the “ Snow Birds” but the park overall is wonderful. There is a bar/Tiki Hut on premise and a big swimming pool open year round. This is a pet friendly park but with a breed and size restriction, so call ahead if you have Fido with you.

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  Benjamin C.

  Guide

  Jun. 7, 2016

  Larry & Penny Thompson Park

  good place

  sites: no pets allowed. welcoming atmosphere. mostly shaded. near residential neighborhood but quiet. flat sites. amenities: large bathhouse. clean. other attractions: zoo. beach/waterslide. I would go back again.