Urban camping options near Hialeah, Florida balance proximity to Miami's amenities with access to Florida's natural areas. The region sits on flat terrain with an average elevation of 7 feet above sea level and experiences a tropical monsoon climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. During summer months, afternoon thunderstorms occur frequently while winter brings milder temperatures and drier conditions.
What to do
Water activities: Enjoy fishing and watersports at Markham Park Campground. The campground has direct water access for boating activities. "We've got the water way right behind us with a wide open grassy area. Great for fishing or if you've got a jet ski you can easily get on and off right there. There are gators in the water which is much deeper than one would think," notes Jamie F.
Mountain biking: Access trails at Markham Park Campground. The park features dedicated trails for various skill levels. "Lots of room to roam here. Great mountain bike trails, lakes, woods, disc golf, flora and fauna. Plus amenities you don't often find like a large outdoor shooting range and an RC airplane strip," writes Jeffrey W.
Observatory visits: Stargaze at weekend events. "For south florida, its about as good as it gets. Also has a nice observatory on saturday nights to visit," mentions Robert D. about Markham Park's astronomy programs.
Nature walking: Explore the extensive trail systems. T.Y. Park offers well-maintained walking routes with diverse scenery. "The park is big with a paved walking path around the park. On the west side of the park there's a lot of big mature trees that give a lot shade and are just nice looking," says Mark B. about Topeekeegee Yugnee Park Campground.
What campers like
Peace in urban settings: Find quiet spots despite city surroundings. "We stayed in the back behind the lake and it was very quiet/family friendly. The lake/dock area is beautiful, and there's a massive playground across from the campground in the main park," shares Kelsey P. about C.B. Smith Park Campground.
Water views: Camp along canals with boat traffic. Yacht Haven Park offers unique waterfront camping. "If you camp on the canal, chances are you will be right next to some amazing yachts! 7 minutes to Ft Lauderdale Beach and 7 minutes the other way to Seminole Hard Rock Casino Hollywood!" explains Donna S. about Yacht Haven Park & Marina.
Clean facilities: Most parks maintain high cleanliness standards. "The campground was very clean with full hookups and sewer directly at our camp site," notes H.M. about C.B. Smith Park. Similarly, at T.Y. Park, "Bathrooms and showers were very clean. Staff was great from the office to the park," according to Mark P.
Convenient location: Easy access to urban attractions. The Davie/Ft. Lauderdale KOA offers proximity to shopping and entertainment. "It is across the street from a massive park that is perfect for all family members. If you go to the park, make sure you see the burrowing owls," suggests Carlton A.
What you should know
Noise considerations: Urban environments bring varied sound levels. Train tracks or highways can impact some sites. At T.Y. Park, "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," warns Darren F.
Site selection matters: Research specific sites before booking. At Davie/Ft. Lauderdale KOA, "all the sites are so close together," notes Kristina D., while at C.B. Smith, "We had site 48 which I highly recommend," suggests Derick B., indicating significant variability.
Park closures and restrictions: Check ahead for special events. Some parks host vaccination sites or events that limit access. "Open only to campers and the rest of the entire park, including trails, are closed to the public except for Sunday's and Monday's because they are doing Covid Vaccinations," shared one camper about Markham Park.
Water quality concerns: Monitor campground notifications. Some campgrounds have experienced water quality issues. "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," reported Tom M. about Miami Everglades RV Resort.
Tips for camping with families
Water park access: Plan for seasonal operation. "Mini golf. Water park wasn't open on March," notes Diana M. about C.B. Smith Park's amenities. Many water features at campgrounds close during winter months.
Playground options: Take advantage of extensive play areas. "There's a massive playground across from the campground in the main park," mentions Kelsey P. about Larry & Penny Thompson Park. The park also features "a great Beach volleyball court" and "a clean and guarded" pool.
Wildlife education opportunities: Use wildlife sightings as teaching moments. "If you go to the park, make sure you see the burrowing owls," suggests Carlton A. about the area near Davie/Ft. Lauderdale KOA, providing unique wildlife viewing for children.
Evening activities: Plan for limited nighttime options. Park gates often close early. At T.Y. Park, "park closes at 8, you can still enter through the exit gate until midnight and then have to call security to get in/out," explains Darren F.
Tips from RVers
Site positioning: Request specific areas for better experience. At C.B. Smith, "The front area is more for weekenders. We stayed in the back behind the lake and it was very quiet/family friendly," notes Kelsey P., highlighting the importance of location within the campground.
Hookup verification: Double-check site services before arrival. Some sites have limited or awkward hookup positions. "They had given us a pull in site for a bus, and we were unable to hook up to sewer, and had to run our electric cable and water hose under the camper," warns Ron M. about his experience at Yacht Haven Park.
Access planning: Consider RV size when booking sites. Some parks have tight turns or limited space. "Roads getting in the RV park are good but watch out for branches with big units outside the park to the north," cautions Mark P. about T.Y. Park.
