Best Campgrounds near Marathon, FL

MAKE SURE YOU TAKE EXTRA WATER, OR FILL YOUR TANKS. We stayed three nights in T-loop, site 42 in mid-April. Only a handful of sites have any shade, so be sure to request shade when making reservations and you may get lucky like us. No water at sites, any only some have electricity. Potable water at bathroom unless pump goes out. It was towards the end of the busy season, so only one of two bathrooms were open. But the one bathroom was clean. Lots of angler groups, so a little noisy at night, but all in all they were respectful. Out last night the water went out and all bathrooms in all loops were closed. Apparently this can be common with pump going out. Understand things happen, but communication was horrible. Just a sign on bathroom that it was closed, no water. No indication that we should go to the visitor center for toilets, sinks. And the next morning the water was back on, but only put up boil advisory sign at CG entrance, not at bathrooms. So people using sinks without knowing water was compromised. Again, awful communication, especially when this happens with some regularity. ONLY AT&T SERVICE, with Wi-Fi at visitor center one mile away.

Booked a reservation and extended more nights after seeing the park. We were upgraded to a waterfront lot near restrooms. Lot was graveled surface. Did offer deluxe lots having concrete pads with tiki hut. The amenities were newly installed. Pool area was spacious with clear water. Were a couple common areas with gas fire ring, huge tiki hut. A converted Airstream was in place and staffed to offer beverages, snacks, appetizers, and pizza. Very reasonably priced. The staff was friendly and accomodating. Park Is located about 18 miles from downtown Key West, so very drivable in 35-45 minutes, traffic dependent. Restrooms were well maintained. Decent AT&T cell service.

We booked a primitive tent site for two nights during the week. It runs around 95 a night but was honestly well worth the money. The sites were quaint and surprisingly peaceful given how crowded it is. There is a laundry facility, pool, lounge area with a pool table, and a very clean shower house and bathroom with sinks for dishwashing. There is a food truck called Deluna’s on site that does breakfast-dinner and has great Cuban coffee. The staff are friendly and helpful and the views cannot be beat. Highly recommend this for those in need of a luxury primitive camping experience.

Flamingo is one of only two campgrounds in the park, the other Lone Pine but Flamingo manages them both. Flamingo is more popular (so more people). The staff of young hosts were nice and helpful. Campground is huge with one big loop section for tents and the other for RVs. Good showers/toilets. Nearby restaurant and Marina store have WiFi. Lots to do in this park: boat rides, kayak rentals, biking, hiking. Only complaint are the bugs, especially the sites around the ring loop near the shrubs - they are relentless and almost unbearable. Not just mosquitos but those tiny gnats, just horrible really (like Northern Minnesota, Scandinavia, or Siberia). I’d suggest bringing one of those screened in pop up shelters.