Looking to go glamping near Cutler Bay and enjoy a rustic retreat into nature? Glamping is not only a fun alternative to traditional tent camping, but also allows you to pack more or less gear as you see fit. You're sure to find glamping for your Florida camping adventure.
The Flamingo campground is one of two drive-in campgrounds accessible from the Homestead entrance of the park. It offers solar-heated showers, two dump stations, picnic tables, grills, and an amphitheater for seasonal Ranger programs. Flamingo has several hiking trails and canoe trails, and opportunities for saltwater fishing are plentiful. Check at the visitor center for a daily schedule of Ranger guided programs.
Whether enjoying the 15 miles of off-road bicycling trails or paddling along lush mangrove forests, visitors find it difficult to believe that Oleta River State Park exists 30 minutes from downtown Miami.
At just over a thousand acres, this natural oasis — Florida’s largest urban park — is a haven for mountain bikers, paddlers, anglers and swimmers. Enjoy a picnic along scenic Biscayne Bay or unwind at the end of a fishing pole.
There are rustic, air-conditioned cabins, too, along with a youth campground for organized groups. The park is also a welcomed stop for long-distance paddlers on the 1,515-mile Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail.
$55 / night
Legend
A really great place to visit if you want a taste of Florida away from all the Disney-esque tourist spots.
This park is like stepping back in time. Enjoy it and relax!
RangerWe stayed here a night before launching our kayaks out to the more remote backcountry stuff. All of your basic amenities and hella skeeters as you'd expect in South Florida.
It is a big open field, so don't expect visual privacy.
Traveler
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.
Legend
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)
Guide
3 campers and two RVs crammed into overflow. NO full hookups as indicated over the phone. Showers NOT in the “bath house” adjacent to these crummy sites. The dumpsite is between the office and the fence. This requires you to back into position or drive down a narrow path and make 3 tight turns. Florida has NO dump sites at rest or service areas! What????
GuideSpent three days fishing and using the camper as a base camp. Caught tons of mangrove snapper, snook, and even a tripletail. Been going to Flamingo for years to fish but this was the first time taking the trailer. Would definitely do it again. 50 amp hookup worked great. Just wish they had running water to the trailer so you don’t have to refill the tank. Great experience as long as your going fishing. Not too many other things to do in the Florida heat.
RangerDown at Flamingo, there’s four types of camping: eco tents, tents (A Loop), campers/ RVs (T Loop) and the backcountry chickees. This review is for the ✨eco tents✨.
The eco tents are awesome in general, but more so if you’re new to camping. Some come fully furnished with beds, nightstands, etc, while others are completely unfurnished and you can set up your own gear, so you choose your level of comfort. They also come with electric fans.
It’s incredibly quiet down there and the full moons are outta this world - no pun intended! 😉 Waking up and drinking your coffee on the shore of Florida Bay is a great way to start the day.
But there is no food allowed in the tents whatsoever. Because the walkways to and the platforms of the eco tents are elevated, there’s also no way to cook even near your eco tent. There are fire rings and picnic tables near the parking area, which is also where the bathrooms are. So if you’re someone who wakes often in the middle of the night for “bio breaks”, you might want to keep that walk in mind - or plan for an alternative.
There are bathrooms with running (non potable) water and toilets with real plumbing, but no showers.
I’d definitely recommend the eco tents for a short stay!
LegendIt’s true what they say: don’t visit the Everglades during wet season.
We thought we would miss the worst of the mosquitoes in mid-November, but they were still in full-swing when we spent five days here.
Since we were also visiting Dry Tortugas, Biscayne, and Big Cypress while we were down in southern Florida, we had a lot of time to camp in the area. We camped at Long Pine Key, Flamingo, at a private campground up in Chokoloskee, and at a private campground outside of Miami. For a beautiful, scenic campground experience with access to some of the best wildlife in the park, we enjoyed our time at Flamingo.
Trying to separate our positive experiences from the hoards of mosquitos that we had to fight off each night getting into our tent is difficult, but visiting the campground in the dry season (December to May) should be a lot different.
Upsides of camping at Flamingo include a free shower (in a national park?! What?!), pretty sites with palm trees, incredible wildlife (we saw osprey, a manatee, a crocodile, and so many birds near Flamingo), and the experience of being deep inside Everglades National Park.
The biggest downside (in November) was the mosquitos. Also, Long Pine Key offers closer access to some of the more popular spots in Everglades, as well as easier access to non-park activities (like stopping at Robert is Here for a smoothie - a must-do!)
Our five days at Everglades were full: we attended several ranger programs (we especially liked the talks at the Anhinga Trail), Cole tried his hand at slough-slogging (wading in murky water up to your waist? Not for me), we hiked as many trails as we could, and we kayaked the Nine Mile Pond canoe trail.
You can read much more about our five days in the park on our blog: Switchback Kids (Everglades)
LegendThis is one of three options to "camp" in this part of Everglades National Park (the other two are RV sites and a large grassy area for tent camping (only open during the winter months). The 20 Eco tents provide a change of pace to regular camping, and they are nicely appointed, but they are a bit of a splurge (over$100 with tax).
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. You can enjoy at least a partial view of Florida Bay from each tent.
The Eco tents have their own “private” bathroom/shower separate from the public restroom and it was clean. Unlike the bathrooms at Long Pine Key campground, there is a handicap-accessible stall. Towels are provided in the tents.
Cooking or food of ANY KIND is not allowed in the tents as it would attract bugs and other wildlife. There are picnic tables/fire pits by the parking lot for cooking/eating but it was very windy when we arrived, so we just ate cold food in our van. All food must stay in your vehicle. You are also not allowed to use bug spray in the tent due to the flammable nature of the spray. Other rules include no music in the campground or tents.
We were there shortly before the winter season so there were not as many options for recreation available. There are hiking trails and you can rent canoes or kayaks. Other boat tours are available, but we didn’t take advantage of any of these, preferring instead to take photos of birds and walk the short Anhinga Trail (closer to the northern entrance to the park).
Both the sunsets and the sunrises are spectacular (if you can stand the mosquito assault!)
LegendIf you can beat the bugs, stargaze and enjoy the sunrise. But take the bug seriously. Even in late January the mosquitoes or vicious. You'll want insect repellent long sleeve long pants and maybe even a mosquito net when you are out and about.
Flamingo Everglades is the concessionaire that operates this campground and the nearby marina. The campground is arranged into 2 loops (one for trailers; about half of them with electric) plus a bayside field area that also includes a group tent site. For these, you park and walk to your site, but you get a great view of the bay and sunrises. In addition, there are several new eco-tents (platform tents) with beds two chairs and lamps. I stayed in one of these.
The Flamingo area still shows the effects of Hurricane Irma a couple of years ago and some neglect. The B & C loops are not open, though NPS is working to clean them up. An employee I spoke with indicated that they hoped to have those open next year. I was there midweek and only the trailer loop was full. On the weekends they do fill up.
The campsites in the loops have picnic tables and fire rings. The bayside field sites have scattered picnic tables and fire rings in various states of rusty disrepair. The eco-tents some picnic tables closer to the bathrooms for the field sites are not occupied, you can use one of those. You can't use a stove in your tent or on your deck, so you do need to cook elsewhere.
Bathrooms include flush toilets and free showers, although the water never got very warm. They are solar heated.
Remember everything you need because it's a long trip back to Florida city or Homestead the nearest places for picking up supplies. Stop at "Robert is Here" on your way in or out for a smoothie or milkshake. The shop at the marina has some basic snacks and drinks. Tuesday to Saturday afternoons there is a food truck available. For activities, campers get a discount on bike rentals. They also rent kayaks & canoes and offer boat trips, though I wouldn't do the boat trip again.
If you choose to stay in an eco-tent, there is a cart with bicycle tires to quietly take your gear to your tent. The boardwalk lights up at night so you can safely find your way to the bathroom. You'll be conscious of the sound the zipper makes when you leave and return to your tent. These are tents and not cabins, so you may hear some neighbors talking or snoring. Even so, it was a welcome change from a sleepless, noisy night at a campground in the Keys.
If you're looking for birds, nearby Eco pond or the waterfront near the bayside campsites offer a nice variety for minimal effort.
No Verizon coverage, but I've been told there is AT&T. Wifi is available at the visitors center.
GuideFlamingo Campground, Florida Everglades—eco-tent
Pro: The location is superb. Ours was located closest to the water(#6). You don’t get to choose—assigned when you check in. There was a lovely breeze each afternoon and very few mosquitoes. Egrets and Anhingas were in abundance. Our eco-tent was equipped with a queen size bed, pillows, bed linens, blankets, fluffy large bath towels, a fan and bedside lights. The towels were a pleasant surprise because I had specifically asked about towels and was told “no.” The tents are located on boardwalks with embedded lights to the bathroom building (it can be a fair walk from your tent) so you can see your way there at night. There is an electrical outlet box with one spare outlet. We brought a surge protector with additional outlets so we could charge electronics and toothbrushes. Several people we met rented empty eco-tents for $50 (no beds, lights, etc) a night.
Con: a solar panel was broken wide open with water flowing out onto the ground so there was no warm water at all in the showers. The bathrooms are adequate but old and tired—cleaned once daily. Only one shower in the ladies room was working. For the price, a decent bathroom would be anticipated. There is an electrical outlet near the sinks which seemed to be constantly in use by a crockpot. (Despite a sign on the boardwalk saying for eco-tents only, this bathroom and the nearby picnic tables were heavily used by tent campers.) There are two dish washing stations at the bathroom building—faucets were not sealed and so water ran out the sides splashing on the backsplash. There are no water spigots so if you need water, you must use the dish washing faucet (the water is potable but for drinking, you might want to bring in your own as it has a salty taste). Maintenance certainly could be improved.
Eco-tent residents must use tables and fire pits close to the parking lot which are not very close. No food is allowed in the tents. There are no lights around the picnic tables so if you are cooking after dark, be sure you’ve planned for that. Also know that you cannot leave unaccompanied food at the picnic tables or the Anhingas will be feasting with abandon.
The food truck was open at the Marina. It had been closed due to hurricane damage. Because of the long new year’s weekend, the shop had no ice, no firewood and only minimal supplies like snacks and beer—lots of empty shelves and coolers. We received an email just before arriving telling us that there was no ice or wood due to the holiday long weekend so we needed to get them before arriving. We had planned to bring all our food which was a good thing given the lack of items at the store. With a 38 mile drive from the Coe entrance center to the campground and another 45 minutes to Homestead, you don’t want to have to go back to Homestead for supplies!
No internet or phone service (other than AT&T). Was wonderful to escape!!
Guidesites: 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.
GuideI'm a tent camper and loved this area. Overall great value with a swimming pool and washer/dryers. Grounds mostly quiet with expected weekenders. Miami Zoo and groceries nearby and great location. Tent sites in open field setup with trees.
TravelerThis campsite is a great central base camp for those visiting Biscayne NP/ Everglades NP and Miami. Clean and safe, with spots for both rv’s and tents. Bathrooms/showers/laundry facilities on site are well maintained.
Wish the website was clearer on length of stay - 30 days for RVs and 7 days for tent campers. After 7 days, you have to leave and can’t return for 30 days 😟. They do provide a list of other local campgrounds you can move to, though.
Near a major street, so it can get noisy - and on weekends you can hear the music from a local bar.
ScoutThis 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. Each pod has its own bathhouse with laundry facilities. There are pull through spots for the big motorhomes and spots reserved for the handicapped. The bathhouses for the RV's were in good shape and well maintained. The bathhouse for the tenters not so much. The bathhouse for the RV's is not very far to walk which I would recommend.
The tent area is off to one side and well shaded by mature trees. It's an area rather than sites. You pick your spot, put up a tent and place a large numbered sign by your area and you've got your spot. While there isn't any electric to plug into at the tent sites, water is provided interspersed throughout the area. Picnic tables and barbecue grills are also provided throughout.
There is a great fire ring with benches for bonfires and a great Beach volleyball court. The pool is clean and guarded by life guards. There is a lounge where you have access to WiFi and plus to charge your phones. The RVs have WiFi around their pods.
Tenters can stay for a Max of 7 nights while RV's can stay for 180. Tenters can only pay for 3 nights at once before returning to re-up. No such rule for RVs. There is a kind of second class feel to the tenters but if you overlook that (I recommend you do) you will have a great time. Staff is very nice and the park is clean.
ScoutOur 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. This state park is NOT secure! We just purchased this vehicle and we did not drive it. Whomever stole our truck was an insider that cased the place. It is very scary to know that guests cannot feel secure here. Talking to neighbors today we found that theft of bycicles and other items is common, we wish we would have known earlier.
ScoutOur 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. This state park is NOT secure! We just purchased this vehicle and we did not drive it. Whomever stole our truck was an insider that cased the place. It is very scary to know that guests cannot feel secure here. Talking to neighbors today we found out that theft of bicycles and other items is common here. We wish we would have known earlier.
ScoutI think that you get more for what you pay. Clean and quiet place.
TravelerOk for a pass through when in a trip but not extended stay or as main stay.
TravelerFairly dispersed camping lots of grass, big park, gates locked at 8pm. Lots of trees scattered but ok shade.
Most Amenities closed due to COVID. Lots of construction around the park, mostly away from sites.
No WiFi due to construction whilst we were there.
Verizon data slow even with booster.
Close to Everglades and Route 1.
Site pretty level good hookups.
GuideThey have tent and rv camping!! Right next to zoo Miami
ScoutRight now, nothing is open until memorial day weekend. So no beach and no pool. Also half the park is under construction, and for whatever reason (covid?) All of the bathrooms and showers are closed in the whole park. The only thing open is the laundry- but they don't have change machines or quarters. No wifi. They also don't allow anything other than motorhomes, 2-wheel dollies, TT, or 5th wheels. No other trailers, no van conversions.
It is cheap, and quiet. I have a feeling half the campers are just put there for the price, while everyone goes elsewhere to be tourists. There are kids and dogs around. Several pull through spaces.
TravelerVery good rv camp ground. Easy access, good security, pretty surroundings. But pool it’s close.
TravelerGreat location, nice surroundings, very peaceful. We hope the pool opens in the next few weeks
GuideA little confusing getting here if it’s your first time. GPS will tell you to turn left into the campground when it’s a right at the stop sign from 184th/127th. The staff at the front was super helpful, but we never got info on a wifi code and didn’t notice until it was too late. Super clean bathrooms, which was surprising since we generally don’t expect much when staying in a public park setting. Very quiet and great for what we needed. The sites have enough room. Our site backed up to the bathrooms / laundry but there was enough space between to not be disruptive.
ScoutThe good: The campground is very reasonably priced relative to accommodations in the surrounding area. The facilities are clean and functional. The meh: This is a family campground so you may end up with noisy neighbors (and/or their children). The bad: Code Compliance is strict and will lurk until you leave your site and then stick a nasty-gram to your door about whatever rule you violated. Apparently good tape is in short supply - I found my note under my camper by chance. They placed the note after nightfall.
GuideThis 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Cutler Bay, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Cutler Bay, FL is Larry & Penny Thompson Park with a 3.4-star rating from 19 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 8 glamping camping locations near Cutler Bay, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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