Best Campgrounds near Cutler Bay, FL

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.

Best Camping Sites Near Cutler Bay, Florida (68)

    1. Larry & Penny Thompson Park

    19 Reviews
    Cutler Bay, FL
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (305) 232-1049

    "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. "

    2. Encore Miami Everglades

    17 Reviews
    Cutler Bay, FL
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "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."

    3. Long Pine Key Campground — Everglades National Park

    33 Reviews
    Florida City, FL
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (855) 708-2207

    "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."

    4. Southern Comfort RV Resort

    8 Reviews
    Florida City, FL
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (317) 440-9562

    "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."

    5. Elliott Key — Biscayne National Park

    4 Reviews
    Cutler Bay, FL
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (305) 230-1144

    $25 - $60 / night

    7. The Boardwalk RV And Mobile Home Resort

    2 Reviews
    Homestead, FL
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (305) 248-2487

    "Lock your stuff up if you're going to leave anything outside. The lots are huge and clean"

    8. Gods Country in Miami

    1 Review
    Homestead, FL
    9 miles
    +1 (305) 244-5201

    $30 / night

    9. Boca Chita Key — Biscayne National Park

    2 Reviews
    Cutler Bay, FL
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (305) 230-1144

    $25 - $60 / night

    "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."

    10. Freshgardens

    2 Reviews
    Homestead, FL
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (305) 245-8388

    $46 - $50 / night

    "On site 30 amp with the ability to walk out your front door and pick dragon fruit from the trees. I'm in awe"

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Recent Reviews near Cutler Bay, FL

346 Reviews of 68 Cutler Bay Campgrounds


  • Jenny E.
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Encore Miami Everglades

    ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING!!

    The water tested positive for fecal indicator e coli on August 1st & they failed to notify campers until 48 hours later!!! My kids brushed their teeth with that water!! 🤮 I had been visiting for 3 years & it’s only gotten worse. What a waste on renovations. And I’ve only heard complaints about the staff on site. They should invest on better property management & some activities for the campers. This place honestly sucks considering it’s Miami!!

  • Tom M.
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Encore Miami Everglades

    Terrible

    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. This failure to provide a safety warning ahead of time was irresponsible. It meant we had to hook up to a contaminated water source, which then required us to undertake a costly and time-consuming process of disinfecting our motorhome's water system after we left. This experience was both a health concern and a major inconvenience.

  • Darren F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 7, 2025

    Topeekeegee Yugnee Park Campground

    Great Park

    Clean park friendly staff. Great amenities. There are not many downsides two that I want to discuss. The campground does sit next to a train track i believe its a commuter line so there is an early train 4am which is startling. Other downside is park closes at 8, you can still enter through the exit gate until midnight and then have to call security to get in/out.

  • Luis V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 6, 2025

    Markham Park Campground

    A Great Stay at Markham Park!

    I stayed at Markham Park on July 28 and had a wonderful experience. The campground is well-maintained, peaceful, and offers plenty of space between sites, giving a nice sense of privacy. The park itself is beautiful, with lots of shaded areas, clean facilities, and easy access to nature trails, bike paths, and water activities.

    What I loved most was how much there is to do right on site—whether you enjoy kayaking, fishing, mountain biking, or just relaxing by your campsite, this park has it all. The staff was friendly and helpful, and check-in was quick and easy.

    Overall, Markham Park is a perfect spot for a quick getaway or a longer camping trip. I’ll definitely be coming back!

  • L
    Aug. 5, 2025

    Grice's RV Park

    Very noisy campground no facilities

    Not worth staying here very close to very noisy road . No facilities. No pool. WiFi very weak. No park nearby

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 29, 2025

    Flamingo Campground — Everglades National Park

    Nice Campground in a great place

    We stayed at flamingo in late June at the start of the hot/rainy/buggy season.  We stayed in the camper loop (T loop) of the campground.  Because it was the off season there were times when we were the only ones in that loop of the campground.  During the evening a couple other campers would come in, but there were stretches during the day that it was empty.  Our son loved this because he could ride his bike all around the campground to his hearts content.  

    We did not find the bugs to be too terrible (although the gage on the wall of the visitor center had them just slightly into the "horrible" range).  We live in Michigan's U.P. so we have a fairly high bug tolerance.  There were some portions of the park that a bit of bug spray worked just fine, but others where we were glad we had bug shirts.

    The bathrooms were decent, although the water was never quite hot due to it being solar heated.

    The overall park amenities were nice.  We enjoyed our visit and got to see a lot of the famous wildlife.

    Nice place, would happily visit again.

  • Denis P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 17, 2025

    John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Campground

    Functional RV Campground, Great Starlink Signal, Good for a Quick Stop

    We stayed one night in June with a tent - and that felt just right. This is a large, RV-oriented campground where sites come with water and power, even if you're pitching canvas rather than parking chrome.

    Privacy is minimal - the spaces are close, separated by the occasional brave shrub or decorative palm. Restrooms and showers work, but very much in the mist of centuries past. Be prepared to walk, and leave expectations of modern sparkle at the gate.

    The mosquitoes were determined, but so were we (some sprays do help). The ranger at check-in was warm, helpful, and probably the best-maintained part of the place.

    Our Starlink connection was excellent — wide open sky and solid signal made remote work completely doable.

    Not a hidden gem, but for a one-night stop, it did the job.


Guide to Cutler Bay

Camping near Cutler Bay, Florida, offers a unique blend of natural beauty and outdoor activities. With several campgrounds nearby, you can enjoy everything from wildlife watching to water sports.

What to do:

  • Explore the Everglades: The nearby Long Pine Key Campground — Everglades National Park is a great spot for hiking and wildlife viewing. One visitor noted, "More trails here than Flamingo, and the privacy between RV sites is great."
  • Water Activities: At John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Campground, you can enjoy snorkeling, kayaking, and swimming. A reviewer mentioned, "Swimming, boating, snorkeling... you can rent kayaks or SUPs for a reasonable amount."
  • Fishing and Relaxing: Key Largo Kampground & Marina offers fishing opportunities and small sandy beaches. One camper said, "The keys aren’t known for sandy beaches, but Key Largo Kampground has two small sandy beaches that make you feel secluded."

What campers like:

  • Privacy: Campers appreciate the privacy at Long Pine Key Campground. One review stated, "Each site is completely private due to dense vegetation."
  • Clean Facilities: Many visitors to Larry & Penny Thompson Park noted the cleanliness of the bathrooms and showers. A reviewer mentioned, "Super clean bathrooms, which was surprising since we generally don’t expect much when staying in a public park setting."
  • Friendly Atmosphere: Campers at Key Largo Kampground & Marina enjoyed the friendly staff. One visitor said, "Staff is friendly. Place is clean."

What you should know:

  • Wildlife Caution: At Long Pine Key Campground, be aware of local wildlife. A camper warned, "We saw a rattlesnake this trip. Previously, we had a water moccasin under our trailer."
  • Tight Spaces: If you're visiting Yacht Haven Park & Marina, be prepared for tight parking. One review noted, "Very tight parking and roads."
  • Limited Amenities: Campers at Davie / Fort Lauderdale KOA mentioned some amenities were lacking. A visitor said, "No wi-fi, all but 2 washers and dryers working out of about 8."

Tips for camping with families:

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: If you're heading to Yacht Haven Park & Marina, make sure your RV fits the site. One reviewer noted, "The process to make our reservation took 5 phone calls."
  • Bring Your Own Firewood: Campers at Long Pine Key Campground mentioned that firewood is scarce. A visitor said, "Firewood is scarce in the area. Either bring your own or they sell firewood and other supplies at the office."
  • Be Prepared for Noise: If you're staying at C.B. Smith Park Campground, be ready for some noise from nearby activities. One camper mentioned, "The basketball court can be a little loud until about 11 pm."

Camping around Cutler Bay has its perks and quirks. Whether you're looking for the best camping near Cutler Bay, FL, or just a weekend getaway, there's something for everyone.

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 68 campgrounds and RV parks near Cutler Bay, FL and 1 free dispersed camping spot.

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 19 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Cutler Bay, FL?

According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot 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.