Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Marathon Shores, FL

This campground has great reviews and we were looking forward to our visit.  Our site was right on the water, facing the overseas freeway.  We loved the location but we could not sleep, it was so loud with the traffic, trucks and cars.  Our site was 15 and faced the highway.  The park was lovely, the grounds and the beaches beautiful.  However, if you have dogs, it's a no-go.  No dogs allowed and they have to stay at your camp.  We were disappointed because potentially, we could return and stay for 14 nights, but with two nights of zero sleep, we were ready to go.  The nearest town is Big Pine Key and there's a Winn Dixie, UPS store, bagel shop and a dog park.  The dog park was packed so not an option.  Maybe check out other campsites that don't have the freeway noise.

So first ...the lits are privately owned. There is an HOA. Owner of site has authority over site not the staff. So if the staff makes an error with dates of your visit and the owners show up to stay at their site....you will need to pack up. Happened to us. The area is mostly fulltime/permanent traders that have been converted into a trailer house. Laundry room is not air conditioned. The "store/gift shop" is more of a check in and mail/package pick up. Dog friendly but not alot of grassy areas for dogs to play and do there business. 90% of area is like sand seashell material. There is a very small beach area...no dogs allowed. Kids playground is nice. Pool was opened...I did not go into pool area. We took our 2 digs down to Marathon FL to a dog park. Very nice and quiet with nice walking trail. I would not recommend this camp site.

This is all brand new. And pricy. There is a 2 night minimum and sites start at $160/night (and go up). They had extensive damage from hurricane Irma in 2017 and have rebuilt everything. They have only been reopen 2 years. There is still some construction ongoing. Sites are nice. Most are tucked into the shrubberies so they have privacy. Wide sites with Gravel drives, new style hook-ups for water, electric, wifi and cable tv. Bathrooms and showers are very nice. There is a “resort style” pool, (whatever that means), a private beach (not dog friendly), hot tub, boat dock & marina, a small dog park, and kayak rental and they rent three-wheel bikes for kids to terrorize everyone. They are about 27 miles from Key West. They have a pub with “live music” till 10pm weekends. It was annoying but we found a nice little restaurant at the Geiger Key Marina, and thankfully the “music” stopped about 9:30.

We only stayed 3 nights here but I could have stayed for much longer. It's a beautiful location that is all brand new. Just 20 min scenic drive and you are in Key West. If you have never been to Key West before I suggest you find a golf cart rental as the streets are narrow with parking on both sides. 

The staff here was phenomenal. The only downside in the whole park was the laundry facility and showers could have been a little bigger but other than that we were impressed. The Pub had some great cocktails and was right next to the pool which the kids loved. We didn't eat here but did get a recommendation for some great pizza just 4 miles a way (A Slice of Paradise) that was great! They had corn hole (bags as we call it in the north), go-cart rentals, a fun dog park (no pooch with on this adventure but it looked great), kayak rentals, a marina and more. 

Something to keep in mind is that this is located on a channel and the beach is not as nice as others. The water isn't the picturesque blue you may be thinking of for Key West. But it was still nice. I definitely recommend some water shoes as it is a little rough up next to shore.

So much to do. The staff instantly delivers customer service the moment you drive in. They drop your boat in water for you and show you to your spot and help you get hooked up. All the staff was so kind and friendly. The pool was amazing!! It has a chiller on it which is a must in south Florida in the summer. So nice and cool it was easy to hang out in it all day. It was easy to get an Uber ride to Key West and the bus stopped real close. The site was big and plenty of room. The entire place was pet friendly. The only “negative” was the sandy mud. Make sure you have a large outside mat so you don’t track the mud in and you are good.

Have been to Boyd’s a couple of times in the not so distant past and have reservations again in November. Both times stayed ocean side which is really on the water on the back bay. Sites are on the smallish side but when Boyd’s opened it was in the early 60’s when campers were small and the lots were large. Don’t let that scare you off, they make it work. Pool and deck area are well maintained and relaxing. Plenty of tropical trees and plants and warm breeze to remind you this really is paradise. Laundry facilities clean, change machine, on wall, books to thumb through as you wait. Shower houses are ample, water is hot, doors lock. Dumpsters throughout the park. Tent area for rustic camping. Dish washing area should you need it. Boat docks, launch and fish cleaning station. Pet friendly. (Hey, kids, Boyd’s gives away iguanas free of charge to anyone who can catch them. Don’t tell Mom or Dad. Let it be a surprise for when you get home.) Boyd’s is actually on Stork Island which is a stones throw to Key West. Easy and fast check in, friendly staff.