Developed campgrounds near Miramar, Florida primarily consist of established county parks, private RV resorts, and KOA franchises serving the greater Fort Lauderdale metropolitan area. Several notable options include C.B. Smith Park Campground in Pembroke Pines, Markham Park Campground in Sunrise, and Topeekeegee Yugnee Park, all providing full-hookup sites within 10 miles of Miramar. These facilities cater predominantly to RV campers, though tent sites are available at most locations. Yacht Haven Park & Marina and Hollywood KOA also offer cabin accommodations for visitors seeking alternatives to traditional camping.
The South Florida climate allows for year-round camping with all major campgrounds operating through all seasons. Most sites require advance reservations, particularly during winter months when northern visitors seek warmer temperatures. "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," noted one camper about C.B. Smith Park. Amenities at developed campgrounds typically include electric and water hookups, sanitary dump stations, showers, and restrooms. Road access is straightforward with paved entrances suitable for large rigs, though site spacing varies considerably between facilities. Cellular coverage is excellent throughout the region due to its urban proximity.
Campers frequently highlight the contrast between the urban surroundings and park settings. The county park system provides relatively spacious camping areas with recreational amenities nearby. Several visitors mentioned the convenience of accessing metropolitan attractions while still enjoying outdoor experiences. At C.B. Smith Park, reviews point to "beautiful sunsets over the water" and praise the "clean bathrooms and showers." Privacy between sites varies significantly, with some campers noting tight spacing at facilities like Davie/Fort Lauderdale KOA. Swimming pools, fishing opportunities, and walking paths are common features across most campgrounds. Weekend noise levels can increase at parks with adjacent recreational facilities, particularly when special events are scheduled. Urban light pollution limits stargazing opportunities, but the convenient access to shopping, dining, and attractions makes these campgrounds practical base camps for exploring South Florida.
"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!"
"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."
"For south florida, its about as good as it gets. Also has a nice observatory on saturday nights to visit."
"It has plenty of picnic tables, a path to the lake, and woods to explore via trails. There are some pretty interesting pieces of history leftover behind the camping field."
$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. "
$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."
"Conveniently located near stores and everything you would need. Close to airport."
$45 - $50 / night
"I have been here a few times mainly to use the trails for disc golf. This park is a true escape from the hustle and bustle of South Florida life."
"Great place to pull over on your way to the Florida Keys or Miami for an overnight stay. Showers, charcoal grills and a small kids playground are the highlights of this park."
"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."
$5000 - $10000 / night
"The location was peaceful and relaxing. we would definitely stay here again. Highly recommend!"
ScoutFelt safe in a gated community over looking the firehouse but also felt like maybe we were not supposed to be there and so we spent a lot of time inside our trailer.
ScoutThe location is convenient to restaurants shopping and I95 interstate. Very friendly people
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.
GuideSite has high traffic due to how close it is to I-75. The primitive camp is located on the FTA Orange Trail. No reservations needed. Unfortunately due to its closeness there can be trash, not everyone follows Leave No Trace. In the wet season there is a creek to the south which you need to cross to get to the campground. During the dry season it is bone dry. Recommend bringing in water. Fairly large, but smaller than Panther and Nobles. Not much trees, so little shade and limited hammock camping opportunities. There is one aluminum picnic table and a fire ring. There are smaller cleared areas in the back of the site for additional tent camping sites with a smaller fire ring.
GuideThis campground is the farthest out from I-75. Located on the FTA Orange Trail it is the smallest. There is a bench and a fire ring. It is right on the trail so no privacy from hikers doing the loop. No water, recommend bringing your own, especially during the dry season. A spur goes north from that site, however it is overgrown. Barely a signal on the cell. The area is open, not much shade or trees if you hammock camp. No reservations needed.
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.
Campgrounds near Miramar, Florida offer urban camping experiences within Broward County's park system. Located in subtropical south Florida with an average elevation of 7 feet, these facilities remain operational year-round with temperatures rarely dropping below 60°F in winter. Most camping areas feature concrete pads and paved access roads suitable for vehicles of all sizes.
Visit nearby water attractions: At C.B. Smith Park Campground, families can enjoy water recreation options when available. "Mini golf. Water park wasn't open on March," notes one visitor. The park offers multiple recreational options within walking distance of campsites.
Explore urban biking trails: Markham Park Campground features mountain biking paths designed for various skill levels. "Lots of room to roam here. Great mountain bike trails, lakes, woods, disc golf, flora and fauna," reports a camper. The park also houses a shooting range that operates during daytime hours.
Watch boats and wildlife: Sites backing up to waterways provide opportunities for wildlife viewing and boat watching. "We stayed in the back behind the lake and it was very quiet/family friendly. The lake/dock area is beautiful," explains a C.B. Smith Park visitor about their extended stay experience.
Urban convenience with nature access: Campsites near Miramar provide rare green spaces within urban environments. "It's a nice local park. Very safe. Ok fishing. Great place to relax," remarks one visitor about C.B. Smith Park. These parks function as accessible retreats without requiring long-distance travel.
Clean, maintained facilities: Topeekeegee Yugnee Park Campground receives consistent praise for upkeep. "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," notes a visitor. Most campgrounds feature recently renovated restroom facilities.
Recreation within walking distance: Camping areas integrate with larger recreational facilities. "There's a water park for the kids, volleyball, many gazebos with grilling areas and more. The park is located close to restaurants and other shopping stores," explains a Topeekeegee Yugnee Park visitor, highlighting the convenience of having activities nearby.
Urban noise factors: Being located in metropolitan areas means occasional noise intrusion. "During the day, there is noise pollution due to jet skis on the water, and the gun range located across the path. However, at night (when it really matters) it is completely silent except for local wildlife," reports a Markham Park camper regarding sound conditions.
Transportation impacts: Several campgrounds experience noise from nearby transportation infrastructure. At Easterlin Park Campground, visitors note: "The east end of Easterlin is on the Tri-Rail tracks and you do get significant noise so make sure you are a heavy sleeper." Train schedules typically reduce or stop during overnight hours.
Park access restrictions: Operating hours may affect late arrivals. At Topeekeegee Yugnee Park, "park closes at 8, you can still enter through the exit gate until midnight and then have to call security to get in/out." Most facilities provide security codes or contact information for after-hours access.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Miramar, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, Miramar, FL offers a wide range of camping options, with 68 campgrounds and RV parks near Miramar, FL and 8 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Miramar, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Miramar, FL is Davie / Fort Lauderdale KOA with a 3.4-star rating from 18 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Miramar, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 8 free dispersed camping spots near Miramar, FL.
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