If you're looking for a place to pitch your tent near Key Biscayne, look no further. Finding a place to camp in Florida with your tent has never been easier. Each tent site offers quick access to one or more of Key Biscayne, Florida's most popular destinations.
Eliott Key is only accessible by boat. No services are available on the island. Elliott Key is the park's largest island. Restrooms with sinks and cold water showers, picnic tables and grills are available. Drinking water is available, but bring water as a precaution if the system goes down. There are 33 boat slips in the marina. This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you can pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app. There is limited cellular connectivity at this location. Please download the free Recreation.gov mobile app and create an account prior to arrival.
Daytime use and overnight camping - the campground is located on the Biscayne Bay side. Overnight camping and docking fees are required. Picknicking - tables and barbecue grills are available in the campground and marina. Hiking - a mile-long loop trail starts near the campground. Also, "Spite Highway" runs approximately six miles down the center of the island. It affords a good opportunity to see a variety of habitats in the martime forest. Fishing - permitted from the maintenance dock (south of the harbor) or from the shoreline outside of the no-wake zone. Fishing regulations apply.
The largest island in the park was once a thriving community of pioneers engaged in pineapple farming, sponging, wrecking, and other pursuits. Today the island offers camping, picnicking, wildlife watching and a hiking trail. A mile-long loop trail starts near the campground. Also, "Spite Highway" runs approximately six miles down the center of the island. It affords a good opportunity to see a variety of habitats in the martime forest.
Elliott Key is located just south of Boca Chita Key.
Ensure one of the designated campsites is available prior to paying. Once payment is made on-site, we do not offer refunds or modifications.
$25 - $60 / night
Boca Chita Key is only accessible by boat. No services are available on the island. Boca Chita Key is the park's most popular island. It features beautiful waterfront views, a grassy camping area, picnic tables and grills. Toilets are available, but there are no showers, sinks or drinking water. The harbor entrance at low tide is approximately four feet. This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you can pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app. There is limited cellular connectivity at this location. Please download the free Recreation.gov mobile app and create an account prior to arrival.
Boca Chita Key features daytime use and overnight camping. Grills and picnic tables are in designated camping areas. A half mile hiking trail starts just east of the restrooms. The trail continues to the south end of the island and emerges near the pavilion.
The iconic and historic lighthouse, built by Mark Honeywell in the 1930s, guides boats to the beauty and wonders of the park. Boca Chita is the most visited island in the park. The observation deck of the 65 foot tall lighthouse provides a fantastic view of islands, bay, ocean and Miami skyline. If park employees are around they may be able to open the observation deck for viewing. A half mile hiking trail starts just east of the restrooms. The trail continues to the south end of the island and emerges near the pavilion.
Boca Chita Key is located just north of Elliott Key.
Ensure one of the designated 21 campsites is available prior to paying. Once payment is made on-site, we do not offer refunds or modifications.
$25 - $60 / night
Sawgrass Recreation Park was previously a fishing camp. Over the next 30 years it transformed from a fishing camp, into a one boat airboat attraction in the 1970’s and finally became one of South Florida’s top destinations for visitors in the new millennium. In 2005, shortly after Hurricane Wilma hit, the Soverns’ family acquired Sawgrass Recreation Park. Since then, the park has expanded the exhibit areas to allow for the adoption and rescue of more reptiles and mammals. Sawgrass has also expanded community relations, offering an annual scholarship to a local student, and forging partnerships with local schools to educate students about the Florida Everglades.
Our store is well stocked with beverages, snacks, and lunch items. Tent Camping in the Everglades is primitive and available for $20.00 per site, per night. There is a maximum of 2 tents per site. Sites are available 7 days a week (reservations are required). Private guided fishing tours are available with advanced bookings (call for info). Group camping in the Everglades is also available for 20 or more campers (call for special rates). Sites are equipped with a picnic table and a campfire ring. Access to restrooms is a short walk. There are no showers on the property.
$10 / night
This campground is available only to groups and/or organizations, no family camping is allowed. A.D. Barnes Park is a 65-acre park nestled in the heart of one of Miami's busiest areas. The park is dedicated to and named after the first Director of the Parks and Recreation Department, who strongly believed recreation was important to the lives of every citizen in Miami-Dade County. Since its opening in 1977, the park has integrated activities that serve people with disabilities into its programming. The Leisure Access Camp is fully accessible for persons with disabilities and is available to rent to all. The camp is surrounded by ten acres of pineland and tropical hardwoods. It features two cottages equipped with showers, a lodge, and a dining hall with full kitchen. This campground is available only to groups and/or organizations, no family camping is allowed. The cabins include 10 (twin) beds per cabin (occupancy load is 20), you can bring additional cots/sleeping bags or roll away beds. There are two fully accessible restrooms with showers in each cabin. There are Ceiling fans as well as central A/C-Heat. The Lodge / Kitchen area seats 64 with tables and 90 without tables and may be reserved for meetings or social functions. Special activities for persons with disabilities are offered at the camp, and the complex may be reserved for special programs.
$190 - $250 / night
Guide
Kings Kamp is a unique property that will work for all visitors. 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. Very close to John Pennekamp and everything else in Key Largo. Pretty standard tent sites, nothing glamorous. The campground is in The Keys, so you can't complain about anything! It actually has a small marina, so bring the boat or kayak and launch right there. We found a nice little spot where we fished and had our lunch by (pictured). We did not stay for very long, and truthfully, we ventured out around town for most of the day. That being said, we didn't worry about our gear while out. It felt very safe.
Very beautiful location and reasonable price compared to most other options in the area. Would stay again.
Traveler
It was tight getting our 32ft pull behind back to our spot, but folks all came out to offer tips and help us get around. So we actually got parked in fairly short order.
The dog walk area near our site was pretty small and it’s bookended by tent camp sites. My dogs were more interested in the goings on than doing their business and we couldn’t really walk them away from it.
That being said. The location is great! As I mentioned in the title. It’s cozy and friendly and pretty quiet.
The marina is nice. And the beaches were great launch points for kayaks.
I would, and probably will, stay here again.
Scout
No tent camping!
Guide
They have tent camping without electric and a lot of rv area.. plenty of bathrooms and Washer and dryer area.. great place to visit while in south Florida I have been many times and different times of year
GuideHave stayed twice, not many places that allow tent camping and this had a few sites for tents and clean facilities.
Traveler
Overall not bad. My tent site was near the bathrooms with the showers. During my stay only 3 people used them. Very clean. The tent site I will say was the best of the lot. What i mean is, it wasn't against a fence in the broiling sun. Had trees for shade. Wifi was non existent, the ap on my end has been down since itma. The washing machines were hit and miss. The staff and guests in my area were great. Pricing for a tent is a bit expensive though. All in all not bad.
Guidestayed at one of the tent sites with water and electric. Very friendly staff. This palce gets really crowded during winter season.
TravelerWe made a quick trip up to Key Largo and chose this spot as it seemed like the only option for tent camping in the area. The two private beaches they advertise were something we were looking forward to!
This is definitely not a place to camp if you’re looking for space and peace and quiet. All of the sites are very close together. Plus you’re mixed in between trailers, RVs, and residents. It really gave off the feel of staying in a crowded trailer park.
We made the mistake of picking out a site close to the main office as we thought being close to the bathrooms would be nice (#26). Cars were driving in and out and late arrivals headlights would blind us throughout the night. We were also the campsite right by the main watering hole and walkway so there were constantly people walking around our campsite.
The beaches at this campsite are not what you would think for the keys nor would I consider them a beach, maybe more like a launch site or previous boat launch. The water looks more like a swamp. Not to mention they have pipes leading into the water that were making the water bubble up. Not something you’d want to swim in. For kayakers this won’t be an issue. Plus the signs about crocodiles being present didn’t make us want to hang out for very long.
Pros: -There’s a shopping center within walking distance that has everything you could need. -The bathrooms were kept clean and smelled clean as well.
Cons: -No fires allowed. There were a couple of residents with fire pits lit up at night so I’m not sure what this rule is about. Probably cause the sites are so close together and there are trees? -Sites are too close together -No privacy
All in all $70 for one night here was not worth it in my opinion for a tent site without electricity but if you’re just passing through or don’t mind being close to other people this might work for you. We just enjoy the more primitive sites.
Legend
Would not recommend this campground if you are tent camping. It was packed with RVs and the spaces are very close together. Dogs are allowed but there were so many when we went it was difficult to walk our dogs. Great place to snorkel, small beaches, fishing, boat rentals.
GuideVery clean pool and campgrounds. The staff was very friendly. Small beach access. I had a nice quiet tent site in a shady mangrove cutout. Very cozy.I would definitely recommend this campsite and will come back.
ScoutGreat location closes to Miami, clean sites, amenities are great , the pool was clean. Our tent site T31 was facing the Marina and it was great. Electric and water included. Boat ramps for rent, kayak and fishing
LegendTent sites are primative ( no water or power) but you have everything you need close by...even a 25/7 ice machine! Great pool, views are amazing. Lots of campers brought their boats here. Site was sandy but larger than expected. Great jumping off point for diving, kayaking or swimming with dolphins ( which is what we did).
GuideIt was nice and quiet at night. It had sinks around camp for dishes etc. a small beach to launch your boat or paddle board to tour the mangroves. It has socks for big boats. It’s more permanent RV/homes with a couple rows for nightly rentals. The bathrooms were a bit of a walk from tent sites.
Legend
This seemed like the only option around for staying on the east side of everglades. It's a very large campground. We had no problem getting a site (apparently they are first come first serve but I've read reviews that there is a way to reserve sites) during "peak season". Some of the sites are fairly close to one another but we got one on the perimeter which was really nice and a little more private. The showers are huge plus (beware water only gets luke cold at best- no hot or warm water in the winter) and having flushing toilets are always nice. Tables and fire rings at each campground. I believe I read that you needed to bring your own wood but I think you could buy some. The campground is in a pretty ideal location. Close to a couple great trails (Anhinga and Long Pine Key). We were able to break up our 2 days in the everglades by splitting it with an day in Biscayne bay- driving too and from the campground to Biscayne NP was very reasonable from this "home base". The only down side to the campground is how close sites are to one another (again perimeter sites seem a little better). Additionally, walking around and seeing people sitting in their RVs watching TV kind of takes away from the camping experience (especially a NP). It's also pretty pricey for camping in a tent. Lastly, their staff is terrible. They're not bright (they'll have trouble figuring out which sites are open and then tell you sites that are obviously taken are actually open). They also lack any customer service skills and can be rude at times.
ScoutWent there and loved it! Our site backed up to a swamp where the ibis were wading all the time. The iguanas were an issue and we had to make sure and put away all our food but they were neat. The tent site didn't offer a lot of privacy but on the island theres really not much room so I wasn't shocked by this. Great bathrooms and laundry facilities. Very neat places to swim and we even tubbed around the offshoots. Beautiful sunrise.
Guide
We stayed here for two days on our way North from the Keys. It is a great family style campground close to Miami, Key Biscayne, and the Everglades National Forest. We used this as our landing area to enjoy the local beaches, amenities, and natural sites. There was a pickle ball tournament going on which looked like fun. The pool looked nicely appointed and clean, although, we did not use it. I did feel that the bathrooms close to our site were in need of an upgrade. They rated a low 2 stars. There is a walking/Biking path around the campground perimeter which is actively used.
Legend
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! You can bike, snorkel, paddle, run, picnic, rent cabins, primitive camp, and even get married. No bugs during the day. Some bike trails get flooded and are closed sometimes. The website gives the latest updates. It's quite easy to get to the park from I-95 or US-1. In October, some of the pavilions remained closed unfortunately. They have water spigots but no electricity. Lots of kayaks available as can be seen in the pictures and videos. Super ample parking. Youth programs. The only thing missing is water/electric tent sites!
Scout
Before our stay my husband called to check on availability. We were told that we would be able to view the sites to see which one we would prefer. When arriving on the property was not able to get anyone at the front gate so had to park in the middle of traffic to walk through gate. While checking in to the front office I was told our spot was the best available and they would just place me there. These tent sites are dangerous they are in the middle of the main road and to make it worse it was karaoke night and open to the public which makes no sense since it was so hard for me to get thru the gates in the daytime when I'm a paying customer. Most people who are camping here live here which is fine and the people are very friendly but word of advice dont go on a Friday night. Very loud and everyone is drinking and I really wish the gates would have been closed to the public.
LegendThese sites are an ok size for tents, but they’re separated out and leveled with the broken cocina shell ground cover which makes having a ground tarp essential if you don’t want to end up damaging your tent. 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 moments. These sites are right on each other with tiny strips in between to separate them, but that’s about it. The restroom facilities were nicely maintained like most Florida State parks
Stayed at the park a while ago with a friend as we were road tripping down to Key West. Wish we had taken a tour out to the main reef and done some scuba or snorkeling, but we had an amazing time renting a kayak and exploring the coves through the mangroves and doing some snorkeling there. We could swim around with some huge Tarpin which could have cared less about us being in their home.
TravelerSmall and efficient for tenting. However, tenting is by the highway and under lights. Very noisy and bright for sleeping.
Ranger
Biscayne National Park is almost entirely water. Enjoy snorkeling, kayaking, and everything water. A boat is needed to reach these campgrounds and are tent only. No reservations.
TravelerSet up the tent next to the car and the groups on the right and left of me were directly in site as there aren’t any thick trees.
Legend
This small island in Biscayne National Park offers a distant view of the Miami skyline, gorgeous aqua water for swimming, snorkeling, boating and fishing. A small lighthouse stands above the protected harbor. 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. There are spots along the shore and if it's full, you can pitch a tent on the grassy field. The back of the island has a small beach for swimming. It's $25/night to camp for up to 6 people with an additional charge if you have more in your group. Pay the iron ranger.
Between generators and music, it's not a quiet island. Tour boats from the park bring crowds a couple of times a time.
There are flush toilets and the odor is so strong you won't linger! Bring potable water.
There are picnic tables and grills available.
GuideBooked 2 nights here for the car, loaded up our bikes at the picnic table, filled our water bottles, then booked a second site at Flamingo to sleep in our tents. Rode back the next day and re-loaded the car!
RangerNot so much camping as much as a place you can pay to pitch a tent for a night if you need to in a pinch. Basically staying in an RV park near the water.
TravelerGreat campsite. We were camping in the tent, but still felt a little crowded since Irma took a lot of trees. Don’t let It dIscourage you! reasonable prices, neat and clean facilities, and a couple of nice snorkling spots worth it.
ScoutMy husband and I rented a campground flat in December. It was on the water, had a grill, electrcitiy, fire pit, tent, running water and was pet friendly. We brought our kayaks and played around. Had a lot of space to walk our dogs. It was really a great time!
Tent camping near Key Biscayne, Florida offers a unique blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure, perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Key Biscayne, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Key Biscayne, FL is Elliott Key — Biscayne National Park with a 4-star rating from 4 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Key Biscayne, FL?
TheDyrt.com has all 7 tent camping locations near Key Biscayne, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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