Tent camping near Biscayne National Park offers primarily boat-in access to isolated island campsites at Elliott Key and Boca Chita Key. These tent-only sites require watercraft to reach the campgrounds, with both islands accessible only by private boat, kayak, or canoe, as there are no bridges connecting them to the mainland. The surrounding Everglades National Park also offers backcountry chickee platforms for primitive tent camping, such as Hells Bay Chickee and Pearl Bay Chickee, providing additional tent campsites for experienced paddlers seeking waterfront solitude.
Tent campers should prepare for primitive conditions with limited facilities. Most sites have composting toilets but no drinking water, showers, or trash disposal. Campers must bring all necessary supplies, including potable water, and pack out all garbage. Fires are not permitted at the Biscayne National Park campsites, so portable camping stoves are essential for cooking. Alcohol is permitted at most sites, and pets are allowed at Elliott Key and Boca Chita Key campgrounds, though not at many of the Everglades chickee platforms. Weather conditions can change rapidly, with strong winds developing quickly across open water.
The tent sites offer unparalleled access to marine environments and activities. Swimming, snorkeling, fishing, and kayaking are popular daytime pursuits from these campsites. Boca Chita Key features a historic lighthouse and offers views of the Miami skyline across the water. Several campers note the importance of bug preparation, especially after sunset. A visitor commented that "mosquitos are awful right after sunset, but a strong north wind came in which blew them away." The chickee platforms in the Everglades provide a particularly unique tent camping experience, with platforms built over water. These sites are ideal for experienced paddlers seeking solitude, with another camper noting, "Nobody else for miles. Wind kept bugs blown away." Wildlife viewing opportunities include dolphins, sharks, various fish species, and numerous birds.
"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."
"We saw a ton of wildlife, beautiful waters, and views. Unfortunately, there's a TON of liter (not the park's fault, just dirty people who don't care about the environment)."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $25 - $60 / 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."
"It has a beautiful waterfront view and plenty of picnic tables. Toilets are available but no showers, sinks or drinking water. We enjoyed our stay there but remember to bring bug spray!"
from $25 - $60 / night
from $190 - $250 / night
"We have only done 1-2 overnight paddle trips before, but the park rangers were very helpful in getting us set up. The paddle took about 3-4 hours each way but we took our time."
"We kayaked the Hells Bay trail in January and had a great time. The trail is well marked for the most part and easy enough for a beginner paddler. The chickee was windy, but in good repair."
from $23 - $33 / night
"You are going to need a lot of water, sun screen, food supplies, sleeping pad, and your tent. Is a lot of work but fhe view, the silence, and the wild life is amazing!"
"Wind kept bugs blown away."
"Brand new and ADA certified as much as a platform over water can be! Both platforms have ladders and the eastern platform has small steps down towards the water level for those with limited mobility."
from $23 - $35 / night
"Unlike the other chickees, it is a single platform, so your group will be the only ones out there."
"You can hike, kayak, canoe, take boat tours, bike, and of course see tons of wildlife."
from $23 - $31 / night
GuideReally nice clean campground clean showers and bathrooms snorkeling diving glass bottom boats kayak rentals on site went on the snorkeling trip really inexpensive $45 went to Christ of the abyss beautiful reef lots of colorful fish all around great time
GuideStayed in Feb ‘24. We were one of the few tent campers we saw. Lots of generator noise but cutoff times were appreciated. Our site was a bit of a walk to the bathroom but nothing crazy and it was decently private, only really had neighbors to one side and across. Plenty of room for the 2 tents we had, firewood available for purchase, shower water left something to be desired but better than nothing.
ScoutI had a really amazing experience that has gotten me hooked on camp life. Between the beautiful nature trails, various on-site activities and clean friendly environment I can say with certainty that I am now a camper for life!
GuideI personally loved the Long Pine Key Campground, after being twice earlier this year. One trip was short and sweet with one other person as a site visit for a larger group the following month, and in February the weather was PERFECT! Cool, clear nights and no bugs. So peaceful and perfect, our team thought our next trip with our field school would be a breeze. Highly recommend visiting in February or while it’s still cool if you can!
We returned in March, Spring Break, with a bunch of environmentally focused college students at their group site and 5 additional sites. And they LOVED it, even after a rocky start facing the strong Florida thunderstorms, waiting out the rain and then setting up in the dark. The rain was so needed, and honestly meant the world to the students to see the ecosystem come to life while in this drought.
The group site housed 5 tents, and our additional sites had 2 each (students were told not to hang up hammocks on their sparse trees per the campground rules), and we were able to stay relatively close together and still have some breathing room for the beautiful vegetation between the sites. Keep an eye out for critters, especially snakes surrounding the campsite. We saw multiple cottonmouths and even some babies, super cool but want to keep your distance.
The restrooms are clean, dish sink is a godsend, and showers were warmed by solar (score!). We are so thankful to the campsite for taking care of all of us, and it’s worth the adventure. Bugs, snakes, weather, and more, full send it!
GuideWe booked a small travel trailer air bnb here for the week. We had a private dock on the canal. If we had kayaks or a boat you have direct access to the state park nearby and the Atlantic from either your dock or the marina. Bath house were clean. Quiet at night. The campground is a mix of full time residents, snowbirds, renters in campers, RVs and a few tents. There is a heated pool, laundry, lots of games and two small sandy beaches. Easy stay while exploring the keys.
LegendThere is something truly magical about waking up surrounded by swaying palms and that unmistakable saltwater breeze, and John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo feels like stepping straight into a tropical adventure designed for families. This is a well-known and beautifully maintained state park with a moderate number (like 40 total) of campsites tucked among the trees, offering a mix of privacy and EZ access to the park’s main attractions, with clean restrooms, showers and plenty of kid-friendly activities that keep little ones engaged from sunrise to sunset. One of our favorite moments was taking the boys out on the glass bottom boat, watching their faces light up as colorful, exotic fish drifted through the coral reef below us, a memory that felt equal parts educational and awe-inspiring. While the sites are close together, offering next to zero privacy, the restroom / shower facilities were good (not great) and overall, the vibe of being here was quite positive. I would absolutely recommend this campground for families thanks to its unique ocean experiences, well-kept facilities, and unforgettable activities that make it so much more than just a place to sleep.
LegendThere is something about arriving in the Keys that instantly slows your pace and flip flops you into a world of immediate calm and Key Largo Kampground captures that feeling the moment you pull in, with a 40-acre waterfront setting along the Atlantic, replete with a mix of varying quality RV sites, along with a relaxed, lived-in layout that feels more like a coastal neighborhood than a traditional campground, with mostly level sites tucked among palms and just enough shade to take the edge off the Florida sun. The amenities lean into that island lifestyle with a marina, pool, small beaches, playground, and plenty of space for fishing, kayaking, and exploring and while some sites are a bit tight, the campground is known for being clean, very organized, friendly, and well-equipped for families and especially for the geared for the 'blue bird special' crowd, all just minutes from shops, restaurants, and the famous reef attractions nearby. One afternoon, we grabbed a casual dinner nearby at Snook's Bayside Restaurant & Grand Tiki Bar and came back to let the boys run around near the water's edge while my hubby and I watched boats drift in as the sun dipped low ... one of those simple, golden moments that somehow defined the whole trip. I would absolutely recommend this campground for families thanks to its waterfront setting, abundance of activities, and unbeatable location at the gateway to the Keys.
TravelerClean, quiet and full hookups. Bath with showers and laundry. Lots of blacktop to bike. Right on a Marina and beaches.
ScoutI stayed in the deluxe tent spot which is surrounded on three sides by the mangrove forest. Shaded spot with electrical outlet, stays cool in the morning. Like other RV parks space is tight, but this spot (T22) feels spacious. Other tent sites appear smaller but there are many. Short walk to beach, pool, bathhouse. Ice, water, laundry on site. The staff and people are friendly. Good location easy access to keys or Miami area.
Boat-in tent camping dominates the options near Biscayne National Park, with 95% of the park composed of water. Most campsites require paddling or boating between 3-4 hours to reach, with distances ranging from 5-13 kilometers depending on the specific island or chickee platform. Weather conditions change rapidly in this marine environment, with wind shifts from calm to 25 knots possible within minutes.
Kayaking through mangroves: Pearl Bay Chickee offers an ideal paddling route for beginners through winding mangrove trails before crossing the more open Pearl Bay. As one camper noted, "It is among the shortest paddles for any chickee in the Everglades. Starts off through beautiful winding mangroves trails, then a short jaunt across the more open Pearl Bay and you're there!"
Wildlife spotting: The waterways surrounding Shark Point Chickee provide excellent opportunities to observe marine life. "I saw sharks, dolphins, alligators, and different type of fish. Be prepared!" reports one visitor who made the challenging 3-4 hour paddle.
Fishing near platforms: Try fishing from Lane Bay Chickee for smaller species. A camper mentioned, "Decent fishing for smaller fish (little snook, red drum, jack)." Since the platform sits directly on the wilderness waterway, you'll have prime access to fishing spots while enjoying relative isolation.
Hiking island trails: Boca Chita Key offers a small trail around the wooded end of the island. The path provides a land-based activity option between swimming and boating sessions.
Complete solitude: Shark Point Chickee offers remarkable isolation according to campers. One visitor appreciated that there was "Nobody else for miles. Wind kept bugs blown away." The remoteness provides a true wilderness experience rarely found elsewhere.
Accessible platforms: The newer chickee platforms include design improvements for diverse users. Pearl Bay Chickee features "small steps down towards the water level for those with limited mobility. This is the only chickee with railings and 2 porta-potties, one big enough for a wheelchair."
Miami skyline views: From Boca Chita Key, campers can enjoy "a distant view of the Miami skyline, gorgeous aqua water for swimming, snorkeling, boating and fishing." The island also features "a small lighthouse stands above the protected harbor."
Spectacular night skies: Multiple chickee platforms offer excellent stargazing. One Hells Bay visitor mentioned, "Stars were great but hard to enjoy because as soon as the sun goes down the bugs SWARM. Pack some cards or something to do in the tent after sunset before bed."
Insect preparation: Bug protection is critical for every site, but especially at ground-based camping areas. Even at Lard Can campground, "even in a 25 knot wind, none of it gets back into the clearings making it so the mosquitos are awful 24/7 unless it is downright cold."
Wind conditions: Be prepared for rapid weather shifts. At Hells Bay Chickee, one camper observed, "Winds can change drastically and quickly, so make sure to tie of your watercraft really well; we went from flat calm to 25knots in just 5 minutes."
Platform differences: Each chickee platform has unique features. The newer platforms at Hells Bay have different construction: "The new posts are made of metal, so they feel a little more secure than previously" but "the type of decking and how close the new platforms are to each other is a less than ideal."
Limited facilities: Most campsites have minimal amenities. At Boca Chita Key, "There are flush toilets and the odor is so strong you won't linger! Bring potable water." Most sites lack fresh water, requiring campers to carry all needed supplies.
Start with shorter paddles: For families new to paddling, Pearl Bay Chickee provides "a great one nighter, or a stop on the way to further sites like Hells Bay of Lane Bay chickee." Its relatively short distance makes it "perfect for a first timer!"
Pack tent entertainment: Since bugs drive most campers into their tents at sunset, bring activities for evening hours. One experienced camper suggests, "bring cards or a book to entertain you in the tent" after dark.
Plan for noise levels: Some islands are quieter than others. At Boca Chita Key, "Between generators and music, it's not a quiet island. Tour boats from the park bring crowds a couple of times a time."
Multi-day strategies: For exploring more remote locations, consider a progressive trip. One camper suggests pairing Lane Bay "with Hells Bay or Pearl Bay for a 2 night trip" rather than attempting the full paddle distance in a single day.
Alternative camping options: Since RV camping isn't available within Biscayne National Park itself, consider Elliott Key as a tent-only alternative accessible by boat. The group campsite there "had cover and picnic tables so we could escape from the rain" and can accommodate larger parties: "We fit about 18 people in the group site."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Biscayne National Park?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Biscayne National Park is Elliott Key — Biscayne National Park with a 4-star rating from 4 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Biscayne National Park?
TheDyrt.com has all 12 tent camping locations near Biscayne National Park, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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