Dog-Friendly Camping near Marathon Shores, FL

Curry Hammock State Park serves as one of several pet-friendly camping options near Marathon Shores, Florida. Located in the middle Keys at mile marker 56, this destination sits at just a few feet above sea level with an average annual temperature of 77°F. The campground experiences persistent offshore breezes which provide relief from the heat but can make tents challenging to secure properly, requiring campers to use the provided anchor rings at each site.

What to do

Kayaking through mangroves: At Curry Hammock State Park, visitors can paddle along marked trails through the coastal ecosystem. "Great kayaking and swimming on side beach. Great bird watching and great time of year to visit," mentions Diana R., who visited in October when restaurants are also less crowded.

Snorkeling from shore: The waters at Bahia Honda State Park offer accessible marine life viewing just steps from campsites. "There is great snorkeling, small reef, to left of the beach it is easy to get to and snorkel," notes Theresa K. The park maintains a swimming area with rope boundaries where various fish species can be observed.

Bridge exploration: Walking the historic Flagler railroad bridge at Bahia Honda provides elevated views of the surrounding waters. "That site is a must see!" reports Michael A., who recommends the "short walk up to the old Henry Flagler Bridge lookout over the island" as an essential activity during any stay.

What campers like

Clean facilities: Jolly Roger RV Resort maintains high standards for their amenities despite high usage. Ilena R. appreciated that "the pool was closed due to COVID but it looked well maintained. The staff was very nice and helpful." This 162-site campground offers full hookups including sewer connections.

Waterfront access: Multiple campgrounds provide direct water access for swimming and fishing without needing to drive elsewhere. At Sunshine Key RV Resort, "Water's so clear you can see all kinds of fish, sharks, jelly fish and manatees. Love, love, love this RV resort!" reports a camper who enjoyed the marina area.

Spacious sites: Site separation varies across parks, with some offering more privacy than others. At Grassy Key RV Park & Resort, durland E. noted, "Very clean, upscale, with beautiful views, water access, and heated pool." The park requires self-contained camping units and maintains selective booking policies.

What you should know

Insect preparation: No-see-ums and mosquitoes are persistent throughout the Keys, particularly during evening hours. At Bahia Honda, one camper experienced challenges: "If you are not accustomed to extreme heat and no-see-ums with very sharp teeth you may want to ante up and stay at a hotel with the big dogs."

Site variations: Many campgrounds have significantly different sites within the same facility. At Bahia Honda, "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."

Advanced reservations: Most Keys campgrounds require booking 11-12 months in advance, especially during winter months. Michael A. noted about Bahia Honda: "I had previously attempted to make reservations here over the course of what seems like the last two years but the popularity of the park and being shut down after Hurricane Irma had given me trouble."

Tips for camping with families

Beach alternatives: Not all beaches are swimmer-friendly due to rocky bottoms and seagrass. Jane L. from Big Pine Key Fishing Lodge shared, "We rented kayaks and paddled out to a sand bar and swam there. We could kayak completely around the island because the sea grass was too thick on the mangrove side."

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Children often enjoy spotting the native wildlife around campsites. "There is a really pretty nature trail as well. Beautiful area that is close to Bahia Honda state park, sombrero beach, and key west," noted Nicole B. about Big Pine Key Fishing Lodge, which also features Key Deer that frequently visit the campground.

Pool access: When ocean swimming isn't ideal, campground pools provide family-friendly alternatives. "The kids loved getting in the water," shared Joseph L. about their July stay at Fiesta Key, despite the intense heat and limited open facilities during their visit.

Tips from RVers

Site selection strategy: Choose sites based on prevailing winds and shade coverage. Denis P. noted at Curry Hammock: "There's no A/C, only a ceiling fan — which worked fine until the midday sun decided to get philosophical about what 'shade' really means."

Utility variations: Not all sites offer the same hookup options, even within the same campground. Roger W. observed at Curry Hammock: "The Atlantic sites are gone and won't be available for maybe 2 more years, I will keep checking."

Alternative parking options: When standard sites are booked, some campgrounds offer overflow or alternative arrangements. "We tent camped 3 nights...The Bath Houses were destroyed by Irma and the Atlantic Ocean area is fenced off due to damage. The Park is using very nice, modern trailers for restrooms and showers. Everything was very clean and had hot showers," reported Patricia M.