Camping near Marathon, FL

Marathon, Florida sits at only 5 feet above sea level, positioned midway through the Florida Keys archipelago. The area features a tropical climate with average winter temperatures around 70°F and summer highs reaching into the 90s. Campgrounds in this region typically operate year-round, though peak season runs from December through April when temperatures and humidity levels are most favorable.

What to Do

Kayaking through mangroves: At Curry Hammock State Park, visitors can explore a designated kayak trail. "There's a neat kayak trail through the Mangroves which is cool to do and you can kayak into the Atlantic out to the sandbar it's beautiful," notes one camper who enjoyed collecting "derelict crab bouys in the mangroves."

Snorkeling from shore: Many campgrounds offer direct water access for swimming and snorkeling. At Bahia Honda State Park, "The beach is wonderful, the store has all you will need & the snack bar is so much more than that," according to one reviewer who visited the park's multiple beaches.

Bridge exploration: The Keys feature several historic bridges worth exploring. At Big Pine Key, "There is a really pretty nature trail as well. Beautiful area that is close to Bahia Honda state park, sombrero beach, and key west," reports a camper who stayed at the fishing lodge campground.

What Campers Like

Waterfront access: Direct ocean or bay views rank as a top priority for most campers. At Grassy Key RV Park & Resort, "We stayed here for a week, its a little pricey but so is everything in the keys. We had a water front space and the view was amazing," writes one reviewer who particularly enjoyed the peaceful setting.

Wildlife viewing opportunities: The Keys offer abundant wildlife viewing. At Big Pine Key RV Park, "There are also key deer in the campground. They are super curious and will come right up to you! We just made sure not to pet or feed them," notes a camper who appreciated the unique wildlife encounters.

Clean facilities: Across multiple campgrounds, reviewers consistently mention cleanliness as a significant factor. At Jolly Roger RV Resort, "The bathrooms are clean" and the campground features "a nice pool, great sunset location," according to a recent visitor who enjoyed the quieter location with less traffic.

What You Should Know

Reservation timing: Many campgrounds require planning far in advance. For Bahia Honda's Sandspur Campground, a visitor reports: "We attempted to make reservations here 11 months in advance (as soon as they opened up) and were shut out. Lucky for us, we checked on a whim two days before our stay and there was a cancellation for an oceanfront site."

Insects: No-see-ums and mosquitoes can be problematic, especially during warmer months. A camper staying at Flamingo Campground noted: "We did not find the bugs to be too terrible (although the gage on the wall of the visitor center had them just slightly into the 'horrible' range). We live in Michigan's U.P. so we have a fairly high bug tolerance."

Water access variations: While many sites advertise water access, the quality varies significantly. One camper at Encore Sunshine Key observed: "I felt cheated on my booking online process. When I booked, the sites available were the premium ones. I specified that I didn't want to stay if it would be on the sites across the street, only on the oceanfront... instead, they gave me a spot OceanFront that was OCEAN HIDDEN."

Tips for Camping with Families

Pool access: For families with children, campgrounds with pools provide relief from the heat and salt water. At Encore Fiesta Key, "We loved our stay here! We had a spot on the water and enjoyed a beautiful view of the water! The staff were friendly, professional, and helpful. The campground is very well kept."

Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with organized programs. One Encore Fiesta Key visitor shared: "We loved Fiesta Key! Some of our favorite parts of this resort were the weekly farmers market, the Easter egg hunt on Easter, the restaurant, snorkeling from the shore, and the how they pickup your trash for you right at your site."

Safety considerations: When camping with children near water, supervision is essential. A family staying at Curry Hammock State Park reported: "The recreation area has a lot of kite surfers and can be busy. It's nice to watch them sail around. There is a kayak launch near the beach and they rent Kayaks there too. The park was aware of it and looking for it."

Tips from RVers

Site selection: RV sites vary significantly in size and privacy. At Curry Hammock State Park, one RVer notes: "Sites: Ocean Side and most have a nice view of the ocean: 9,11,13,15,16,17,19,21,22. Views are not always available from chairs or the picnic table due to low growing vegetation. Also, apparently these sites have a nice cooling breeze in the summer."

Hookup availability: Services vary between state parks and private resorts. At Jolly Roger RV Resort, a reviewer mentioned: "I enjoyed our site, full hookups and very good wifi. We had an issue with our vehicle and the lady at the front office was very helpful in helping us call tow companies and mechanics."

Maneuverability challenges: Some of the best places to camp near Marathon, Florida have tight spacing. A Big Pine Key RV Park visitor warned: "Only complaint is how incredibly tight it all is. We had a helluva time maneuvering our 35ft tt into space- had to have four neighbors move their vehicles and lots of help. Landscaping is pretty but trees on each site aren't really slide out friendly."