Several cabin rental options exist near Cutler Bay in South Florida, with full-service accommodations at Larry & Penny Thompson Park and Encore Miami Everglades RV Resort. These cabin facilities typically offer electricity, air conditioning, and basic furnishings with varying levels of kitchen amenities. Most cabins include refrigerators and microwaves, while some feature full kitchens with stovetops and sinks. Bathroom access depends on the location, with some cabins offering private facilities while others require guests to use centralized shower buildings. "The facilities are clean and functional. The campground is very reasonably priced relative to accommodations in the surrounding area," noted one visitor about Larry & Penny Thompson Park.
Rustic and deluxe cabins are both available, depending on the location. Family-sized units sleep 4-6 people, while smaller cabins accommodate couples or solo travelers. Reservations are essential during winter months when snowbirds flock to South Florida. Pet policies vary by campground—Larry & Penny Thompson Park allows pets at cabin sites with restrictions, while John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park maintains stricter pet limitations. Flamingo Campground in Everglades National Park offers cabin rentals with air conditioning but prohibits pets. A camper mentioned, "This is a very nice campground which is part of the Miami-Dade County park system. The rates were $850 a month for full hook-ups."
Most cabins include beds but require visitors to bring their own linens, towels, and toiletries. Basic cooking equipment may be provided, though inventory varies significantly between locations. Cabins at KOA Hollywood (formerly Grice RV Park) include more comprehensive kitchen setups than those at state parks. Grocery options near cabin sites are limited, with the closest full-service stores located in Cutler Bay proper. On-site camp stores at certain locations stock essentials like firewood, ice, and basic food items. Cabins at Yacht Haven Park & Marina and The Boardwalk RV And Mobile Home Resort provide more residential-style accommodations with fully-equipped kitchens, though at higher price points than state park cabins.
"This is city owned and operated Park/Campground. This fact is significant. It is very pretty with lots of mature shade trees. The RV's are assigned space around several pods."
"sites: no pets allowed. welcoming atmosphere. mostly shaded. near residential neighborhood but quiet. flat sites. amenities: large bathhouse. clean. other attractions: zoo. beach/waterslide."
"The sites closer to the cabin area are closer together. I wouldn't recommend this campsite for actual campsite, but rather the excellent location and fun activities and amenities of the park. "
"We stayed here for the night on the way to the keys. Park had good power and water pressure. Showers and bathrooms were clean and nice. Roads were fine for large RV'S. I would stay here again."
"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."
"We stayed here about 4 days on our way down to the Keys. This park is mostly quiet but full of sketchy people. We saw our neighbors selling illegal firearms to a young kid in his front yard."
"There is so much to do we biked to nearly everything including nearby restaurants, we hung at the beach, kayaked and did trail walks with the dog."
"There is power and picnic tables, but you might initially be confused as to who’s table is who’s depending on how people before you have arranged things to fit their RVs….or at least we were for a few"
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $36 / night
"Each tent has full deck flooring and comes equipped with a double or queen bed with bedding (November– April only), a fan, 110 outlets, towels, two chairs/small round tables, and shelving with baskets."
"Flamingo is right inside the national park and is the only center with services available in the park; marina, food and convenience store, rental equipment, boat tours with park naturalist, food truck,"
"The park is very well maintained. The front area is more for weekenders. We stayed in the back behind the lake and it was very quiet/family friendly."
"My site was private and (mostly) clean. Easy pull throughs available if you’re not a savvy backer-upper. The only downside was the loud music playing at the park next door, and I love music!"
"Personally, I camped in a tent, but they also have RV spots and on-site cabins. It was right off the main highway through the keys so it was very easy to get to."
"The sites away from the water are very close together. Prime sites along the water offer nice views. Bathrooms clean, laundry available. There are tiki huts and lounge chairs along the water."
from $60 - $110 / night
"This place has cabins and a shared bathroom, but it is such an amazing park right in the middle of an overcrowded city!! I love going here is like 55 bucks a night or so!!"
"Hard to believe that this oasis is so close to major urban centers, but it's true. It boasts 15-miles of trails in more than 1,000 acres!"
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $55 / night
"Had a wonderful week at the naval station in Key West. It only cost $40 per night. All amenities were available."
"The grounds and views of all the surrounding yachts are simply spectacular. Everything here is setup for convenience and comfort."
from $110 - $300 / 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
GuideWe planned on staying here for 5 months and hoped for longer. But today, We just put in our notice that we are leaving. I hope my experience will help you make your decision to stay here. While management is extremely proud of writing 1000 notices to people over the last year, this is still the reality of what you get. They don't seem to know what's available, unless you speak Spanish. Then they got a spot for you. Lots of RV's with window ac units. Refrigerators outside Gate doesn't always work Gym is a joke 2 out of 6 washers out of order for months 2 out of 6 dryers out of order for months Men's and women's showers has no ac and standing water. Neighbors raising pigeons behind his RV. Few Neighbors have pit bulls Pool is nice.(When people are not watching chickens fight on their phone while standing in pool) LOTS OF FOR SALE SIGNS HERE. People are trying to leave this place. Good luck and safe travels
RangerHere’s a review you can post:
We had a fantastic time at Flamingo in Everglades National Park! The scenery is beautiful, the wildlife viewing is incredible, and there’s always a chance to spot alligators, birds, manatees, and other amazing creatures. The marina area is well-maintained, and the peaceful views across Florida Bay are unforgettable.
One thing to be prepared for: the mosquitoes can be intense, especially around sunrise and sunset. Bring plenty of bug spray and apply it often. With good insect repellent, the mosquitoes are manageable and definitely not a reason to miss this unique experience.
Overall, Flamingo is a must-visit destination for nature lovers. The wildlife, sunsets, and natural beauty make it well worth the trip!
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!
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.
TravelerClean, quiet and full hookups. Bath with showers and laundry. Lots of blacktop to bike. Right on a Marina and beaches.
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.
LegendJust south of ‘The Magic City’ (a.k.a. Miami), you’ll come across Kendall, which while definitely NOT a destination in and of itself, it does offer one of the ONLY real campgrounds within the Miami vicinity. Here, you’ll discover Larry & Penny Thompson Park Campground, which upon arrival, immediately feels like a breath of fresh air the moment you turn in off SW 184th Street, trading bumber-to-bumper grinding traffic and endless miles of jam-packed strip malls in exchange for tall palms, shady roads and a surprisingly peaceful park setting. The campground is tucked away within a sprawling county park operated by Miami-Dade, and the vibe leans more tropical retreat than urban escape, with birds chirping, breezes moving through the trees, and a calm that makes you forget you are still very much in South Florida.
Before I get into the ‘nuts& bolts’ of Larry & Penny Thompson Park CG, allow me to share – that I had a fairly HORRIBLE experience here. So let me share some more – not to be a ‘negative Nancy’ - but rather, in the hopes you can learn from my mistakes (or rather, the omissions of this CG) and not replicate the issues I experienced for yourself, allow me to shed some light on some concerns. To begin with, if you are a tent camper (like I was in this scenario) there is NO WAY to make a reservation. You simply have to show up and IF the folks in the park office feel like there’s enough room for you to stake out a piece of land on their garbage-strewn tent camping plot of grass, they alone have the DISCRETION to ALLOW you to pay them for the privilege. Given that ALL OF THOSE WITH RVs have reservation privileges, this relegates us tent campers to ‘second class citizens.’ Second, paying $28/ night gets you basically a patch of uneven land (with more tree roots that reminded me a lot of Stranger Things with all of those root-like moving alien arms all over the ground preventing a flat piece of outdoor nirvana to be discovered) and the right to access the community bathrooms. While there is solid shade and about a half dozen bag-lined garbage bins in the tent camping area, the picnic tables are all dilapidated (unlike those in the RV area that are nearly brand new), half of the water spigots didn’t function, there are no in-ground fire rings, the stand-up grills are a joke and there is ZERO electricity. Um, so what am I paying for you ask? Great question. But this wasn’t even the worst part. So here it is: I arrived at Larry & Penny Thompson Park Campground having driven nearly 8 HOURS all the way from St. Augustine and arrived at 5:13pm only to be greeted by incredibly RUDE county park staff who could only say “Sorry, you arrived after 5pm and we don’t allow any TENT CAMPERS to arrive after 5pm.” What I found preposterous is that NOWHERE – not online, not on TheDyrt and NOT EVEN ON-SITE – does it mention that one (OK, well at least us tent campers anyway) has to arrive BEFORE 5pm. Had that vital piece of information been shared with me during 1of the 3 phone calls I made to the property before I arrived – TRUST ME – I would have arrived 13 minutes earlier. You know what the worst part about this whole experience was? Apart from the fact that I was famished and exhausted, was nearly out of gas and my cell phone just died? There was absolutely NO REASON to deny me entry for arriving 13 minutes after their (artificial) deadline. All I can say is that I’m glad Mary and Joseph didn’t have to deal with Miami-Dade County Park staff that acted like hostile and rule-abiding ‘inn keepers’ otherwise our Lord and Savior would have had no other choice, like I did, but to check in to a nearby hotel. Thankfully, I had enough Marriott Bonvoy points to spend the night at a hotel, albeit an hour away.
OK, deep breath. Let it go, I say. So I returned the next day, registered my complaints and stayed for 2 nights. With this, the rest of my experience (apart from what had been previously noted) was a fairly positive one.
Before I move on, you're probably scratching your head saying "Why did this guy return after such a horrible experience?" Well, because it is the reason most choose to stay here - it is nearly the ONLY campground in the Miami, so it's either shell out $200 or $300 a night for a hotel or sleep under the stars.
The campground itself is fairly decent size with – count ‘em– not 3, not 7, but a total of 11 RV parking ‘pods’ (think small loops with about 20 slots in each) that have been thoughtfully laid out, with over 200 sites total offering full hookups, paved pads and a mix of sun and shade depending on your preference. Sites are mostly level and easy to navigate (even for larger setups) with the roads being wide enough to remove whatever stress you may be dealing with upon arrival. Amenities are strong across the board, including clean restrooms, intermittent hot showers (some days they were hot, some days they were ice cold, but no matter the day, the pressure was always incredibly low), pay-for-play laundry facilities, a few scattered playgrounds, an amenity center that offers up a large screen TV, lending library, DVDs and ample space for group gatherings. The best amenities? The amazing community pool located right next to the community center (note: only open between 10am– 5pm, so if you’ve come here because of work, that’s a bummer, unless you can work from the pool, which I couldn’t) and the freshwater lake with a sandy beach that feels like a built-in bonus for families. Oh, and during the summertime, there’s a waterslide facility that looks AMAZING! The park is pet-friendly, somewhat well-maintained if you’re not staying in the tent area (which, unfortunately, I was) and has a safe, welcoming feel throughout.
Beyond the campground, you are perfectly positioned to explore both nature and convenience. The park itself has miles of paved biking and walking trails, plus open green spaces and water access for a relaxing afternoon. Just a short drive away, you will find grocery options like Publix Super Market, Walmart Supercenter and additional essentials along US-1 along with a Costco that’s only like 20 minutes away. If you are looking to explore further, Biscayne National Park offers boating and snorkeling opportunities, while Miami Zoo is practically next door for an easy family outing. Not too far away from here you can also find fast food and casual dining spots for a bite to eat in case you grow tired of black beans w/ hot dogs for the third meal in a row.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a handful: (1) Aim for sites deeper into the loops for more shade and less road noise; (2) The freshwater lake and beach area are perfect for kids to cool off on warm afternoons; (3) Bring bikes as the paved trails throughout the park are ideal for cruising; (4) Keep an eye out for iguanas and wading birds around the water’s edge; (5) Shade varies quite a bit so a canopy can be helpful on sunnier sites - but if you are tent camping, you won't really need any shade, unless you want to be protected from the intermittent rains; (6) For a great nearby bite, check out Shiver’s BBQ at 28001 S Dixie Hwy, Homestead, FL 33033; (7) You will hear non-stop urban noise and traffic from anywhere in this campground, so while you may be shuddered from the noise inside your RV or camper, you won't be so lucky inside a tent, so if that bothers you, bring earplugs; and (8) OH, how could I forget!!! Don’t arrive here AFTER 5PM!!!
Happy Camping!
TravelerWe brought our canoe and put in on the boat dock. It was sweet paddling all around the mangrove islands. The campground is full of greenery, which lends slightly more privacy. A nice place to land for the night.
Cabin camping near Cutler Bay, Florida provides gateway access to three national park units within a 45-mile radius. The subtropical climate maintains warm temperatures year-round with winter highs averaging 76°F and summer highs reaching 90°F. Heavy seasonal rain occurs between May and October, creating distinctly different camping experiences between dry and wet seasons.
Wildlife viewing tours: Access Everglades National Park's unique ecosystem from Flamingo Campground. Visitors can arrange boat tours through the marina or explore independently by kayak. "Several people we met rented empty eco-tents for $50 a night," notes a camper, highlighting affordable accommodation options for those without camping equipment.
Kayaking through mangroves: Paddle directly from camp sites at Kings Kamp. The on-site marina allows easy water access without transportation hassles. "They have a boat ramp and slips. Prime sites along the water offer nice views," writes one reviewer who appreciated the convenience of launching directly from the campground.
Mountain biking: Ride the 15 miles of trails at Oleta River State Park. Despite being in Miami's urban core, the park offers surprisingly remote-feeling trails. A visitor noted, "Hard to believe that this oasis is so close to major urban centers, but it's true. It boasts 15-miles of trails in more than 1,000 acres!"
Snorkeling expeditions: Book reef tours from John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. The campground provides direct access to America's first underwater park. A visitor recommended, "I highly recommend the snorkeling experience offered out of the visitors center. We had an incredible guide and captain."
Affordable winter base camp: Larry & Penny Thompson Park offers budget-friendly sites. Located centrally to multiple attractions, the park serves as an economical hub for exploring. One camper explained, "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."
Waterfront cabin views: Cabins with water access at Yacht Haven Park & Marina. The combination of cabin accommodations and direct water access creates unique experiences. "The best part about the park is backing your RV up to the docks on the river and seeing all the boats go by at night," shared one visitor appreciating the waterfront setting.
Pool facilities: Access to swimming when beaches aren't convenient. Many campgrounds maintain pools for cooling off when traveling with children or when beach trips aren't practical. At Encore Miami Everglades, a camper noted, "They have a really nice big pool, shuffleboard, putt putt golf, arcade and walking trail."
Climate-controlled cabin options: Air conditioning during hot months. Several campgrounds offer cabins with climate control systems, essential during summer heat. A visitor at Southern Comfort RV Resort mentioned, "Very cozy place, plenty of shades, little swimming pool and friendly people all around."
Winter reservations: Book 6-11 months in advance for January-March stays. The most popular cabin sites fill extremely quickly during peak season. "We arrived to a warm welcome and headed to site #27. To say these sites are tight is an understatement," one camper at Southern Comfort RV Resort reported, emphasizing the importance of early booking.
Water quality issues: Some campgrounds experience occasional water system problems. Visitors should consider bringing additional water for drinking and cooking. "Our stay at Encore Miami Everglades 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," warned one guest about a temporary situation.
Security considerations: Valuables should be secured at all times. Some campgrounds report occasional theft issues. "Our Ford F-250 King Ranch 4x4 diesel got stolen in the middle of the day from right in front of our RV at this park," cautioned one visitor, suggesting added vigilance with valuable items.
Bug preparation: Insect protection essential year-round. Mosquitoes and no-see-ums can be problematic, especially near water. "If you can beat the bugs, stargaze and enjoy the sunrise. But take the bug seriously. Even in late January the mosquitoes are vicious," warned a Flamingo Campground visitor.
Swimming options: Consider campgrounds with pools for guaranteed water access. When weather or water conditions make beaches unsuitable, pools provide reliable recreation. A camper at Encore Miami Everglades RV Resort shared, "Myself, my husband, and our 2 year old son recently started camping as a family... This site is extremely nice! It is very clean, upkept well, and all staff were extremely helpful."
Kitchen facilities: Cabin options range from basic to full kitchens. Family meal planning requires understanding available cooking facilities. "Our eco-tent was equipped with a queen size bed, pillows, bed linens, blankets, fluffy large bath towels, a fan and bedside lights," noted a Flamingo Campground visitor, highlighting amenities that make family stays more comfortable.
Bike-friendly options: Choose campgrounds with safe cycling areas. Several parks offer dedicated bike paths suitable for children. A camper at Oleta River State Park observed, "You can bike, snorkel, paddle, run, picnic, rent cabins, primitive camp, and even get married. No bugs during the day."
Proximity to attractions: Consider travel time to major destinations. Some campgrounds advertise proximity to attractions but require significant driving. "This is city owned and operated Park/Campground. This fact is significant. It is very pretty with lots of mature shade trees," wrote a visitor appreciating Larry & Penny Thompson Park's convenient location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Cutler Bay, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Cutler Bay, FL is Larry & Penny Thompson Park with a 3.4-star rating from 21 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 15 cabin camping locations near Cutler Bay, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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