Oleta River State Park Campground near North Miami houses unique cabin accommodations amid Florida's largest urban park, spanning over 1,000 acres of natural oasis just 30 minutes from downtown Miami. The cabins provide a glamping experience with basic amenities while surrounded by extensive recreational opportunities, including 15 miles of trails perfect for hiking and mountain biking. Larry & Penny Thompson Park also offers glamping options with full hookups, modern bathroom facilities, and laundry services in a well-maintained setting with mature shade trees. One reviewer highlighted, "This oasis is so close to major urban centers, boasting 15-miles of trails in more than 1,000 acres where you can bike, snorkel, paddle, run, and picnic."
The glamping accommodations serve as an ideal base for exploring South Florida's natural attractions, with Biscayne National Park just 30 minutes away and the Florida Everglades nearby. Safari-style accommodations provide a comfortable retreat after days filled with kayaking, paddleboarding, and snorkeling in the clear waters of Biscayne Bay or hiking through the mangrove forests. Guests can rent kayaks on-site to explore the Oleta River's waterways, with abundant wildlife viewing opportunities throughout the park's diverse ecosystems. A recent visitor mentioned, "It's such an amazing park right in the middle of an overcrowded city!" The cabins typically rent for around $55 per night, making them a relatively affordable luxury camping option in an area where accommodations can be expensive, especially during peak winter seasons.
"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 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."
$55 / night
"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!"
"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!!"
"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."
"Not many frills, certainly not a resort and bathroom frequently ran out of TP, but as a relatively affordable base of vacation operations it was good."
"Campground in the city, great guest services, friendly staff. Near grocery store, and everything!"
"Staff very friendly! Very respectful of COVID as well. Always appreciate that."
"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."
"Good location in the middle of urban area, cabins to rent. We’ve used for daycamp without overnight, but you can do that if you want"
"There’s no pool but there are laundry facilities and a clean bathroom. There’s a community grill, picnic area, and chairs to enjoy the sunsets"
"Nice pavilion down at water, nice little beach, dock, restrooms, showers and laundry"
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.
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!
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.
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!
Guide3 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????
TravelerThis 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.
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.
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.
GuideLast campground before the Keys. Lots of sites. Not overly large sites so you may have trouble parking at your site. It gets crowded during the NASCAR race as the Homestead track is 5 miles down the road. Tiki bar on site, open on the weekends. Traffic noise can be loud at certain times of the day. Large pool. Decent facilities but do need updating.
Oleta River State Park Campground provides cabin accommodation options just 30 minutes from downtown Miami. These modest cabins rent for approximately $55 per night, serving as an economical alternative in an area known for costly accommodations. The park spans 1,000 acres and contains 15 miles of trails for mountain biking, hiking, and nature exploration. Campers can also enjoy kayaking on the Oleta River with on-site rentals available.
Explore Florida Everglades: Larry & Penny Thompson Park serves as a strategic base for Everglades exploration. One camper noted it offers "close access (30 minutes) to Biscayne National Park" and is convenient for "visiting Biscayne and Everglades" national parks.
Beach volleyball and swimming: Larry & Penny Thompson Park offers recreational facilities beyond camping. A visitor highlighted, "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."
Waterfront relaxation: Riptide RV Resort in Key Largo provides shoreline access with "Nice pavilion down at water, nice little beach, dock" and "a community grill, picnic area, and chairs to enjoy the sunsets" according to reviewers.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple parks offer fishing access. At Larry & Penny Thompson Park, one camper reported "Fishing was good in the pond nearby," while Riptide RV Resort is described as a "great fishing community" by another visitor.
Affordable stays: Paradise Island RV Resort offers reasonable rates for the Fort Lauderdale area. One visitor mentioned, "Price was okay (I guess)" while another appreciated the extended stay value, noting they "spent 14 months here sheltering from Covid."
Clean facilities: Campgrounds maintain well-kept amenities. At Paradise Island, guests commented on "clean" bathrooms and that "staff are extremely friendly and helpful." At Larry & Penny Thompson Park, a reviewer noted "The bathhouses for the RV's were in good shape and well maintained."
Convenient urban camping: Southern Comfort RV Resort provides accessibility to urban attractions. A camper described it as "a relatively affordable base of vacation operations" that's "Close to the Keys, Everglades, Biscayne and shopping."
Yurt camping options: For those interested in yurt camping near Key Biscayne, Florida, Quiet Waters Park offers unique accommodations. A visitor described renting "a campground flat... on the water, had a grill, electricity, fire pit, tent, running water and was pet friendly."
Security concerns exist: Some campgrounds have reported theft issues. At Larry & Penny Thompson Park, one camper warned, "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. This state park is NOT secure!"
Wildlife encounters: Be prepared for local wildlife at certain parks. At Larry & Penny Thompson Park, a camper reported, "Beware of the feral cats and raccoons though. We spent an entire night fending them off with a slingshot."
Noise levels vary: Urban campgrounds experience city sounds. At Southern Comfort RV Resort, a visitor noted "Traffic noise can be loud at certain times of the day," while another mentioned it was "karaoke night and open to the public" making it "Very loud."
Tent site limitations: Traditional tent camping options may be restricted. At Larry & Penny Thompson Park, "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."
Check seasonal facility availability: Quiet Waters Park offers family-friendly options when open. While one camper reported it was "Closed till further notice" during a pandemic period, when operating, families enjoy that "you can do kayaking" and the park offers space to "explore nature."
Consider dedicated glamping options: For families seeking structured accommodations near Key Biscayne, yurt camping provides a middle ground. A visitor to Quiet Waters Park shared they "rented a campground flat in December" that was "on the water" and "pet friendly."
Look for recreational amenities: Family-friendly parks offer activities beyond camping. Larry & Penny Thompson Park includes "a swimming pool and washer/dryers" and is described as having "Miami Zoo and groceries nearby."
Space considerations for larger groups: When booking for families, verify occupancy limits. Some parks have strict policies, as one Southern Comfort visitor learned when they "inquired about reserving one of their cabins for a week long stay" for "2 adults and 3 children" but later had their reservation unexpectedly canceled.
Check hookup details carefully: Southern Comfort RV Resort provides full hookups for RVs. A camper advised that "the entrance is a little hidden and tight but doable. We were towing a 36' travel trailer" and another noted there are "not overly large sites so you may have trouble parking at your site."
Navigation challenges: When arriving at urban campgrounds, prepare for traffic. At Southern Comfort, a camper warned, "If heading south and coming off the FL Turnpike, you have to get over several lanes in a short distance to make the left turn on to Palm Drive."
Long-term vs. short-term considerations: Paradise Island RV Resort accommodates both types of stays. A visitor observed it's "an older campground with a lot of full-time RVers" but still works for "one quick night" with "a nice easy spot to back in and get out easily."
Expect tight quarters: RV parks in this region maximize space. At Riptide RV Resort, a camper described "tight sites (short and close together)" while at Southern Comfort, another mentioned it "gets crowded during the NASCAR race as the Homestead track is 5 miles down the road."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Key Biscayne, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Key Biscayne, FL is Larry & Penny Thompson Park with a 3.5-star rating from 22 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 7 glamping camping locations near Key Biscayne, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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