Best Tent Camping near Marathon Shores, FL
Tent camping options near Marathon Shores are predominantly concentrated in nearby state parks and the Everglades National Park backcountry system. Long Key State Park Campground offers waterfront tent sites directly on the beach, though the campground has been operating with limited availability since Hurricane Irma damage. Backcountry sites in Everglades National Park provide more remote experiences, with most accessible only by boat.
Most tent sites in the Florida Keys region require advance reservations and fill quickly due to limited availability. The "chickee" platforms in Everglades National Park are elevated wooden structures built over water, designed specifically for tent camping with space for 1-2 tents per platform. Toilet facilities vary—Long Key provides restrooms, while backcountry chickees typically have maintained portable toilets. Many sites lack drinking water, requiring campers to bring adequate supplies. The region's tropical climate means insects can be problematic, especially at dawn and dusk. A camper noted, "Mosquitoes were awful right after sunset, but a strong north wind came in which blew them away."
The tent camping experience near Marathon Shores offers unique water-based opportunities rarely found elsewhere. Walk-in tent sites at Long Key put campers just feet from the ocean, creating immediate access for kayaking, paddleboarding and swimming. The Everglades chickee platforms provide complete isolation in mangrove wilderness with opportunities to observe marine wildlife. Pearl Bay Chickee offers a relatively short paddle route ideal for first-time backcountry campers. Weather conditions can change rapidly, affecting both comfort and safety on water-based campsites. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, "We got beautiful clear day, but scary thunderstorm at 3 am! Better not to attempt in summer." Winter months typically offer the most comfortable tent camping conditions with lower humidity, fewer insects, and milder temperatures.




