71 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping near Cutler Bay, Florida encompasses a mix of established campgrounds and RV resorts situated between urban Miami and the natural landscapes of the Everglades and Biscayne National Parks. Larry & Penny Thompson Park offers year-round camping with tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and glamping options just 15 miles north of Cutler Bay. Encore Miami Everglades provides similar accommodations with boat access in addition to standard drive-in sites. For those seeking a more natural experience, Long Pine Key Campground in Everglades National Park (about 25 miles southwest) offers a more immersive natural setting, though it operates seasonally from November to May only.
The subtropical climate dictates camping conditions throughout the year. Winter (December through April) provides the most comfortable camping weather with temperatures typically ranging from 60-75°F and lower humidity. Summer months bring intense heat, high humidity, and significant mosquito activity, making camping challenging without proper preparation. Mosquito repellent is essential year-round but particularly from May through October. Cell service varies significantly between campgrounds, with urban sites offering reliable coverage while national park locations may have limited or no service. Verizon typically provides better coverage than AT&T in the Everglades area, according to visitor reports.
Campgrounds in the region serve different camping styles and needs. Urban sites like Larry & Penny Thompson Park function well as base camps for exploring both Miami attractions and nearby national parks, with full hookups and amenities. As one camper noted, it's "a great value with close access to Biscayne National Park." RV resorts like Southern Comfort and Encore Miami Everglades cater to longer-term visitors with resort-style amenities including swimming pools and organized activities. The boat-in only sites at Elliott Key and Boca Chita Key in Biscayne National Park provide more secluded experiences for those with watercraft. Road noise can be an issue at some locations closer to highways, while sites deeper in the parks offer more tranquility but fewer amenities.
"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. "
"This place is situated in the mirror middle of acres upon acres of ornamental trees and shrubs for sale by various companies."
"They have a really nice big pool, shuffleboard, putt putt golf, arcade and walking trail. It's off the beaten path but worth the drive. The front office staff was so helpful."
"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. "
"Although in the northern end of the park, it's a great location to camp. Stayed in Site #70, which backs up to the lake with easy access to the trails and facilities. Quiet location."
"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."
"Adjacent to Zoo Miami."
"Great campground near Biscayne and Everglades National Parks."
from $60 - $80 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $25 - $35 / night
Check Availability"Lock your stuff up if you're going to leave anything outside. The lots are huge and clean"
from $30 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $25 - $35 / night
Check Availability
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.
GuideWe were lucky enough to swoop this site when someone else cancelled, and it was fantastic!
Snorkeling is a MUST. We just did a walk in and booked a same day snorkel boat tour that was epic. There’s plenty of tours that go out and prices are totally reasonable.
Campground is lovely, small and easily accessible. Short walk to the beach, which is small and sweet. Lovely swim and views.
Staff is super helpful and friendly, and overall vibe is nice. Clean bathrooms and showers, however there’s definitely a buggy atmosphere once the sun starts to set. If you’re fully self-contained, shouldn’t be too much of a problem.
Overall this spot is a 4.5 stars (only cuz of the bugs) and is a great spot to check out in the Keys.
ScoutIt's great to be in Fort Lauderdale, so close to activities. RV park is old, poorly kept, and crowded. Mostly long-term campers who were very friendly. Vehicles parked onto narrow black top roads. Dead leaves blown to the side but not picked up. Peeling paint in showers. Friendly staff to our faces, but overheard them being unkind when they didn't know we could hear.
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.
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."
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."
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."
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."
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."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Cutler Bay, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, Cutler Bay, FL offers a wide range of camping options, with 71 campgrounds and RV parks near Cutler Bay, FL and 2 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Cutler Bay, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Cutler Bay, FL is Larry & Penny Thompson Park with a 3.4-star rating from 21 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Cutler Bay, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Cutler Bay, FL.
What parks are near Cutler Bay, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 parks near Cutler Bay, FL that allow camping, notably Biscayne National Park and Everglades National Park.
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