Campgrounds near Miami Beach, Florida primarily consist of established RV parks and developed facilities rather than wilderness camping. Topeekeegee Yugnee Park Campground in Hollywood offers RV and tent sites with full hookups, while Oleta River State Park Campground in North Miami provides cabin accommodations along with tent and RV options. Larry & Penny Thompson Park, located about 25 miles southwest of Miami Beach, features cabin rentals alongside traditional camping areas. Most developed campgrounds in this urban region cater to RV travelers with amenities like electric hookups, water, and sewer connections, though tent camping is available at select locations.
Access to camping areas varies significantly by location, with most sites requiring reservations, especially during winter months when seasonal visitors arrive. A visitor noted, "We stayed thirteen nights at this park. The campsites are mostly nice. There are a lot of seasonal campers and it seems those sites are nicer." Many campgrounds experience high occupancy from November through April when northern "snowbirds" migrate to South Florida. Summer brings intense heat, humidity, and mosquitoes, making camping less comfortable. Most camping facilities near Miami Beach provide amenities like swimming pools, recreation areas, and proximity to urban attractions rather than wilderness experiences. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the region, though some areas have better connectivity than others.
Campground options close to Miami Beach tend to be more developed and urban in character compared to the wilderness camping found farther west in the Everglades. Several visitors mentioned appreciating the convenient location of these sites despite their lack of natural surroundings. According to one review, "This is one of the most friendly parks I have stayed. We were there on Christmas and New Years and had a total blast." Noise from nearby highways, train tracks, and urban activity is commonly mentioned in reviews of campgrounds in this region. Many camping areas feature swimming pools, recreation facilities, and walking trails rather than pristine natural settings. The campground landscape reflects the urban character of the Miami area, with developed facilities predominating over primitive camping opportunities.
$35 - $57 / night
"Stayed here over a holiday weekend and enjoyed it, roads getting in the RV park are good but watch out for branches with big units outside the park to the north."
"The park is big with a paved walking path around the park. On the west side of the park there's a lot of big mature trees that give a lot shade and are just nice looking. "
"In southern Florida, campgrounds don’t usually come cheap, but we found Larry & Penny’s to be a great value with close access (30 minutes) to Biscayne National Park."
"It is close to the Encore Everglades park (about 4 miles) so we stayed here after we departed. The campground is divided into pods and each pod has about 15 or so sites. "
$55 / night
"Hard to believe that this oasis is so close to major urban centers, but it's true. It boasts 15-miles of trails in more than 1,000 acres!"
"A lot of trails to walk in the middle of the nature. Mini golf. Water park wasn't open on March."
"We stayed in the back behind the lake and it was very quiet/family friendly. The lake/dock area is beautiful, and there’s a massive playground across from the campground in the main park."
"This KOA was close to family and friends. Stayed for five nights. It was clean and I felt safe. Staff were very helpful getting backed in and set up."
"It's located near many attractions and shopping. Beautiful sunset viewing across the street at Vista View Park and easy highway access. You're going to love your stay at this KOA!"
$5000 - $10000 / night
"The location was peaceful and relaxing. we would definitely stay here again. Highly recommend!"
"The town around has very nice restaurants in Tarpon Springs but some of the area can be a little sketchy. One thing I see is that the park itself was safe."
"I wouldn't recommend this campsite for actual campsite, but rather the excellent location and fun activities and amenities of the park. "
"This place is situated in the mirror middle of acres upon acres of ornamental trees and shrubs for sale by various companies."
$110 - $300 / night
"If you camp on the canal, chances are you will be right next to some amazing yachts! 7 minutes to Ft Lauderdale Beach and 7 minutes the other way to Seminole Hard Rock Casino Hollywood!"
"The grounds and views of all the surrounding yachts are simply spectacular. Everything here is setup for convenience and comfort."
ScoutIt's great to be in Fort Lauderdale, so close to activities. RV park is old, poorly kept, and crowded. Mostly long-term campers who were very friendly. Vehicles parked onto narrow black top roads. Dead leaves blown to the side but not picked up. Peeling paint in showers. Friendly staff to our faces, but overheard them being unkind when they didn't know we could hear.
LegendJust south of ‘The Magic City’ (a.k.a. Miami), you’ll come across Kendall, which while definitely NOT a destination in and of itself, it does offer one of the ONLY real campgrounds within the Miami vicinity. Here, you’ll discover Larry & Penny Thompson Park Campground, which upon arrival, immediately feels like a breath of fresh air the moment you turn in off SW 184th Street, trading bumber-to-bumper grinding traffic and endless miles of jam-packed strip malls in exchange for tall palms, shady roads and a surprisingly peaceful park setting. The campground is tucked away within a sprawling county park operated by Miami-Dade, and the vibe leans more tropical retreat than urban escape, with birds chirping, breezes moving through the trees, and a calm that makes you forget you are still very much in South Florida.
Before I get into the ‘nuts& bolts’ of Larry & Penny Thompson Park CG, allow me to share – that I had a fairly HORRIBLE experience here. So let me share some more – not to be a ‘negative Nancy’ - but rather, in the hopes you can learn from my mistakes (or rather, the omissions of this CG) and not replicate the issues I experienced for yourself, allow me to shed some light on some concerns. To begin with, if you are a tent camper (like I was in this scenario) there is NO WAY to make a reservation. You simply have to show up and IF the folks in the park office feel like there’s enough room for you to stake out a piece of land on their garbage-strewn tent camping plot of grass, they alone have the DISCRETION to ALLOW you to pay them for the privilege. Given that ALL OF THOSE WITH RVs have reservation privileges, this relegates us tent campers to ‘second class citizens.’ Second, paying $28/ night gets you basically a patch of uneven land (with more tree roots that reminded me a lot of Stranger Things with all of those root-like moving alien arms all over the ground preventing a flat piece of outdoor nirvana to be discovered) and the right to access the community bathrooms. While there is solid shade and about a half dozen bag-lined garbage bins in the tent camping area, the picnic tables are all dilapidated (unlike those in the RV area that are nearly brand new), half of the water spigots didn’t function, there are no in-ground fire rings, the stand-up grills are a joke and there is ZERO electricity. Um, so what am I paying for you ask? Great question. But this wasn’t even the worst part. So here it is: I arrived at Larry & Penny Thompson Park Campground having driven nearly 8 HOURS all the way from St. Augustine and arrived at 5:13pm only to be greeted by incredibly RUDE county park staff who could only say “Sorry, you arrived after 5pm and we don’t allow any TENT CAMPERS to arrive after 5pm.” What I found preposterous is that NOWHERE – not online, not on TheDyrt and NOT EVEN ON-SITE – does it mention that one (OK, well at least us tent campers anyway) has to arrive BEFORE 5pm. Had that vital piece of information been shared with me during 1of the 3 phone calls I made to the property before I arrived – TRUST ME – I would have arrived 13 minutes earlier. You know what the worst part about this whole experience was? Apart from the fact that I was famished and exhausted, was nearly out of gas and my cell phone just died? There was absolutely NO REASON to deny me entry for arriving 13 minutes after their (artificial) deadline. All I can say is that I’m glad Mary and Joseph didn’t have to deal with Miami-Dade County Park staff that acted like hostile and rule-abiding ‘inn keepers’ otherwise our Lord and Savior would have had no other choice, like I did, but to check in to a nearby hotel. Thankfully, I had enough Marriott Bonvoy points to spend the night at a hotel, albeit an hour away.
OK, deep breath. Let it go, I say. So I returned the next day, registered my complaints and stayed for 2 nights. With this, the rest of my experience (apart from what had been previously noted) was a fairly positive one.
Before I move on, you're probably scratching your head saying "Why did this guy return after such a horrible experience?" Well, because it is the reason most choose to stay here - it is nearly the ONLY campground in the Miami, so it's either shell out $200 or $300 a night for a hotel or sleep under the stars.
The campground itself is fairly decent size with – count ‘em– not 3, not 7, but a total of 11 RV parking ‘pods’ (think small loops with about 20 slots in each) that have been thoughtfully laid out, with over 200 sites total offering full hookups, paved pads and a mix of sun and shade depending on your preference. Sites are mostly level and easy to navigate (even for larger setups) with the roads being wide enough to remove whatever stress you may be dealing with upon arrival. Amenities are strong across the board, including clean restrooms, intermittent hot showers (some days they were hot, some days they were ice cold, but no matter the day, the pressure was always incredibly low), pay-for-play laundry facilities, a few scattered playgrounds, an amenity center that offers up a large screen TV, lending library, DVDs and ample space for group gatherings. The best amenities? The amazing community pool located right next to the community center (note: only open between 10am– 5pm, so if you’ve come here because of work, that’s a bummer, unless you can work from the pool, which I couldn’t) and the freshwater lake with a sandy beach that feels like a built-in bonus for families. Oh, and during the summertime, there’s a waterslide facility that looks AMAZING! The park is pet-friendly, somewhat well-maintained if you’re not staying in the tent area (which, unfortunately, I was) and has a safe, welcoming feel throughout.
Beyond the campground, you are perfectly positioned to explore both nature and convenience. The park itself has miles of paved biking and walking trails, plus open green spaces and water access for a relaxing afternoon. Just a short drive away, you will find grocery options like Publix Super Market, Walmart Supercenter and additional essentials along US-1 along with a Costco that’s only like 20 minutes away. If you are looking to explore further, Biscayne National Park offers boating and snorkeling opportunities, while Miami Zoo is practically next door for an easy family outing. Not too far away from here you can also find fast food and casual dining spots for a bite to eat in case you grow tired of black beans w/ hot dogs for the third meal in a row.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a handful: (1) Aim for sites deeper into the loops for more shade and less road noise; (2) The freshwater lake and beach area are perfect for kids to cool off on warm afternoons; (3) Bring bikes as the paved trails throughout the park are ideal for cruising; (4) Keep an eye out for iguanas and wading birds around the water’s edge; (5) Shade varies quite a bit so a canopy can be helpful on sunnier sites - but if you are tent camping, you won't really need any shade, unless you want to be protected from the intermittent rains; (6) For a great nearby bite, check out Shiver’s BBQ at 28001 S Dixie Hwy, Homestead, FL 33033; (7) You will hear non-stop urban noise and traffic from anywhere in this campground, so while you may be shuddered from the noise inside your RV or camper, you won't be so lucky inside a tent, so if that bothers you, bring earplugs; and (8) OH, how could I forget!!! Don’t arrive here AFTER 5PM!!!
Happy Camping!
ScoutGreat campground near Biscayne and Everglades National Parks.
ScoutOur stay here was the best! Our host, John was extremely friendly, welcoming, and helpful, making sure we had everything we needed while also respecting our privacy. The location was peaceful and relaxing. we would definitely stay here again. Highly recommend!
GuideThis is a dirt parking lot on the Tamiami Trail (Rt 41) right along the canal. Airboats run all day. We didn't go on one but it looked fun. Great fishing! No water no hookups.
ScoutFor $130/night-this place is a crowded dump with poorly maintained muddy sites.
GuideThis is our first time in the Everglades ! We love this place! Each site is private from the next site. It's very quiet here the shower houses and the restrooms are clean and well kept. Everyone is very friendly
GuideGreat spot to rest before heading into the Everglades or doing an airboat tour. About 20 minutes from shark valley visitor center this is a great spot if you want to be one of the first to get in. Not a lot of spots and some of them were a little confusing on who's area belonged to which fire pit. Probably wouldn't stay more than a night or two but fine for what we needed.
GuideThis is a good enough spot if you’re looking to overnight somewhere. If you walk down to the water facility, you might be lucky enough to see the Manatee family that lives here. There’s lots of trash here so if you’re a leave it better than you found it kind of person, bring an extra bag. There are trash cans everywhere but there’s also lots of trash.
Camping near Miami Beach, Florida offers a mix of developed urban campgrounds with amenities and facilities rather than remote wilderness experiences. Located in USDA hardiness zone 10b, the region experiences average winter lows of 35-40°F and summer highs regularly exceeding 90°F with high humidity. Campers should prepare for urban noise including trains and highways at most locations, as sites are typically situated within a developed metropolitan area.
Water recreation: minutes from camp sites: Oleta River State Park Campground in North Miami provides direct access to water activities. According to a reviewer, "It boasts 15-miles of trails in more than 1,000 acres! You can bike, snorkel, paddle, run, picnic, rent cabins, primitive camp, and even get married. No bugs during the day."
Day trips to natural areas: Use C.B. Smith Park Campground as a base for exploring nearby natural attractions. "Very safe. Ok fishing. Great place to relax," notes one visitor. The park includes various recreational areas while providing convenient access to both urban and natural attractions.
Biking on paved trails: Topeekeegee Yugnee Park Campground offers excellent biking opportunities with paved paths. A camper mentioned, "The park is big with a paved walking path around the park. On the west side of the park there's a lot of big mature trees that give a lot shade and are just nice looking."
Clean facilities with air conditioning: Many campgrounds in the area maintain well-kept facilities. At Topeekeegee Yugnee Park, one camper reported, "Bathrooms and showers were very clean. Staff was great from the office to the park. Busy walking path nearby so lots to see going on."
Urban overnighting convenience: Yacht Haven Park & Marina provides unique access to Fort Lauderdale's urban attractions. A visitor shared, "7 minutes to Ft Lauderdale Beach and 7 minutes the other way to Seminole Hard Rock Casino Hollywood! We will be going back!"
Security features: Many Miami area campgrounds offer enhanced security. At Topeekeegee Yugnee Park, a camper noted, "Very well lit at night with security. The RV park is located in the back of the county park, so there is plenty to do: water park, outdoor gym and regular play areas for kids."
Seasonal crowding from November-April: Reservations are essential during winter months. A camper at Larry & Penny Thompson Park noted different rules for different types of campers: "Tenters can stay for a Max of 7 nights while RV's can stay for 180. Tenters can only pay for 3 nights at once before returning to re-up."
Urban noise levels: Train tracks and highways create noise at several campgrounds. At Topeekeegee Yugnee Park, a camper mentioned, "The campground does sit next to a train track i believe its a commuter line so there is an early train 4am which is startling."
Limited tent camping options: Many parks prioritize RVs over tent camping. One visitor to Oleta River State Park noted, "This place has cabins and a shared bathroom, but it is such an amazing park right in the middle of an overcrowded city!"
Water parks within camping facilities: Several campgrounds include water recreation for children. At Miami Everglades RV Resort, a family noted, "Myself, my husband, and our 2 year old son recently started camping as a family. We originally chose Miami Everglades RV Resort as a site to test our new equipment... It is very clean, upkept well, and all staff were extremely helpful."
Playground access: County parks often have extensive children's areas. One camper at C.B. Smith Park mentioned, "The park is very well maintained. The front area is more for weekenders. We stayed in the back behind the lake and it was very quiet/family friendly. The lake/dock area is beautiful, and there's a massive playground across from the campground in the main park."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Some parks offer chances to see Florida wildlife. At C.B. Smith Park, a visitor recommended, "If you go to the park, make sure you see the burrowing owls."
Site selection for large rigs: For large RVs, request specific sites that accommodate your length. At Davie / Fort Lauderdale KOA, a camper advised, "Staff were very helpful getting backed in and set up. Pool was nice and clean. Down side/ 1: all the sites are so close together 2: the WI-FI is the worst of any KOA I have been to."
Utility connections: Check placement of hookups before arrival. At Yacht Haven Park & Marina, one RVer cautioned, "They had given us a pull in site for a bus, and we were unable to hook up to sewer, and had to run our electric cable and water hose under the camper. Luckily we were able to reach."
Road navigation: Plan your route carefully through urban areas. A visitor to Topeekeegee Yugnee Park warned, "Roads getting in the RV park are good but watch out for branches with big units outside the park to the north."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Miami Beach, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, Miami Beach, FL offers a wide range of camping options, with 55 campgrounds and RV parks near Miami Beach, FL and 2 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Miami Beach, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Miami Beach, FL is Topeekeegee Yugnee Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 10 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Miami Beach, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Miami Beach, FL.
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