Best Glamping near Palmetto Bay, FL

Larry & Penny Thompson Park and Quiet Waters Park offer distinct glamping experiences within reach of Palmetto Bay. Larry & Penny Thompson Park features climate-controlled accommodations with full hookups, clean shower facilities, and laundry access, all situated near Zoo Miami for convenient wildlife viewing. "The grounds are nicely maintained with lots of places to walk and open space with trees," notes one visitor about Larry & Penny Thompson Park. Quiet Waters Park, located in Deerfield Beach, houses several furnished yurts equipped with electricity, water connections, and comfortable bedding. Both locations maintain picnic areas with tables and fire rings for evening gatherings, while providing secure, gated environments for overnight guests.

Southern Comfort RV Resort and Oleta River State Park round out the glamping options in the region, each offering unique outdoor experiences while maintaining essential comforts. The resorts provide easy access to Biscayne National Park and the Florida Everglades, making them ideal basecamps for day trips. Visitors can explore the mangrove forests by kayak or venture to nearby beaches for swimming and sunbathing. A recent visitor mentioned, "This is a very nice campground which is part of the Miami-Dade County park system. The grounds are nicely maintained with lots of places to walk and open space with trees." Most glamping accommodations require reservations well in advance, especially during winter months when snowbirds migrate to the area for extended stays.

Best Glamping Sites Near Palmetto Bay, Florida (6)

    1. Larry & Penny Thompson Park

    19 Reviews
    Cutler Bay, FL
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (305) 232-1049

    "sites: no pets allowed. welcoming atmosphere. mostly shaded. near residential neighborhood but quiet. flat sites. amenities: large bathhouse. clean. other attractions: zoo. beach/waterslide."

    "The RV's are assigned space around several pods. Each pod has its own bathhouse with laundry facilities. There are pull through spots for the big motorhomes and spots reserved for the handicapped."

    2. Southern Comfort RV Resort

    8 Reviews
    Florida City, FL
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (317) 440-9562

    "This park is located right off Route 1 in Florida City. For the area this is a large park. I believe over 150 sites. The sites are decent in size."

    "Not many frills, certainly not a resort and bathroom frequently ran out of TP, but as a relatively affordable base of vacation operations it was good."

    3. Oleta River State Park Campground

    3 Reviews
    North Miami Beach, FL
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (305) 919-1846

    $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!"

    "This place has cabins and a shared bathroom, but it is such an amazing park right in the middle of an overcrowded city!! I love going here is like 55 bucks a night or so!!"

    4. Paradise Island RV Resort

    6 Reviews
    Fort Lauderdale, FL
    39 miles
    Website
    +1 (954) 485-1150

    "Campground in the city, great guest services, friendly staff. Near grocery store, and everything!"

    "Staff very friendly! Very respectful of COVID as well. Always appreciate that."

    5. Riptide RV Resort

    3 Reviews
    Key Largo, FL
    39 miles
    Website
    +1 (305) 852-8481

    "There’s no pool but there are laundry facilities and a clean bathroom. There’s a community grill, picnic area, and chairs to enjoy the sunsets"

    "Nice pavilion down at water, nice little beach, dock, restrooms, showers and laundry"

    6. Quiet Waters Park

    5 Reviews
    Deerfield Beach, FL
    49 miles
    Website
    +1 (954) 357-5100

    "It was on the water, had a grill, electrcitiy, fire pit, tent, running water and was pet friendly. We brought our kayaks and played around. Had a lot of space to walk our dogs."

    "Good location in the middle of urban area, cabins to rent. We’ve used for daycamp without overnight, but you can do that if you want"

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Recent Glamping Photos near Palmetto Bay, FL

3 Photos of 6 Palmetto Bay Campgrounds


Glamping Reviews near Palmetto Bay, FL

43 Reviews of 6 Palmetto Bay Campgrounds


  • B
    Jun. 7, 2016

    Larry & Penny Thompson Park

    good place

    sites: no pets allowed. welcoming atmosphere. mostly shaded. near residential neighborhood but quiet. flat sites. amenities: large bathhouse. clean. other attractions: zoo. beach/waterslide. I would go back again.

  • Ashley J.
    Jul. 8, 2018

    Quiet Waters Park

    Worth a Visit

    My husband and I rented a campground flat in December. It was on the water, had a grill, electrcitiy, fire pit, tent, running water and was pet friendly. We brought our kayaks and played around. Had a lot of space to walk our dogs. It was really a great time!

  • T
    Apr. 9, 2019

    Larry & Penny Thompson Park

    Surprisingly pretty Park

    This is city owned and operated Park/Campground. This fact is significant. It is very pretty with lots of mature shade trees. The RV's are assigned space around several pods. Each pod has its own bathhouse with laundry facilities. There are pull through spots for the big motorhomes and spots reserved for the handicapped. The bathhouses for the RV's were in good shape and well maintained. The bathhouse for the tenters not so much. The bathhouse for the RV's is not very far to walk which I would recommend.

    The tent area is off to one side and well shaded by mature trees. It's an area rather than sites. You pick your spot, put up a tent and place a large numbered sign by your area and you've got your spot. While there isn't any electric to plug into at the tent sites, water is provided interspersed throughout the area. Picnic tables and barbecue grills are also provided throughout.

    There is a great fire ring with benches for bonfires and a great Beach volleyball court. The pool is clean and guarded by life guards. There is a lounge where you have access to WiFi and plus to charge your phones. The RVs have WiFi around their pods.

    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. No such rule for RVs. There is a kind of second class feel to the tenters but if you overlook that (I recommend you do) you will have a great time. Staff is very nice and the park is clean.

  • Michael J.
    Feb. 12, 2023

    Paradise Island RV Resort

    Stuck Without Options!

    3 campers and two RVs crammed into overflow. NO full hookups as indicated over the phone. Showers NOT in the “bath house” adjacent to these crummy sites. The dumpsite is between the office and the fence. This requires you to back into position or drive down a narrow path and make 3 tight turns. Florida has NO dump sites at rest or service areas! What????

  • Thom T.
    Oct. 10, 2018

    Southern Comfort RV Resort

    Best Park in Florida City

    This park is located right off Route 1 in Florida City. For the area this is a large park. I believe over 150 sites. The sites are decent in size. The park fills up quickly come the winter time with the “ Snow Birds” but the park overall is wonderful. There is a bar/Tiki Hut on premise and a big swimming pool open year round. This is a pet friendly park but with a breed and size restriction, so call ahead if you have Fido with you.

  • sandra R.
    Jan. 21, 2018

    Larry & Penny Thompson Park

    Great central location, clean and safe

    This campsite is a great central base camp for those visiting Biscayne NP/ Everglades NP and Miami. Clean and safe, with spots for both rv’s and tents. Bathrooms/showers/laundry facilities on site are well maintained.

    Wish the website was clearer on length of stay - 30 days for RVs and 7 days for tent campers. After 7 days, you have to leave and can’t return for 30 days 😟. They do provide a list of other local campgrounds you can move to, though.

    Near a major street, so it can get noisy - and on weekends you can hear the music from a local bar.

  • Karen S.
    Jan. 12, 2024

    Larry & Penny Thompson Park

    Quiet and Peaceful Campground, trees, greenery and option for long term

    This is a very nice campground which is part of the Miami-Dade County park system.  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.  We were in pod 4 site 20 (420 lol).  We booked this camp with the intent to stay for a month or longer as my husband had an opportunity to Captain boats in Miami.  

    The park was very quiet.  Most of the campers were retirees, a few families with kids, but we were there in early January.  The grounds are nicely maintained with lots of places to walk and open space with trees.  They don't allow dogs off-leash and although it is adjacent to the rest of the Larry & Penny park, dogs are not even allowed in the main park, at all.  We did however find a few dog parks within four miles or so which were nice.

    They have a very nice pool which was open daily Wed- Sunday 11am - 5pm.  It was raining and rather dreary during our stay so we didn't use the pool.  They have a nice Clubhouse and it looked okay with tables, chairs, books, puzzles, but again very quiet.  Not many activities except for a few and we didn't stay long enough to participate.  After a week, we decided to make moves back home to Lake Tahoe.  It was unseasonably cold, raining so no boat work and not an ideal spot for the dogs.  They don't have WiFi and since we were planning a longer stay, purchased the Starlink system since I work remote during the winter.  Starlink worked great, but costs $500+ to get started and then $120 or so a month.  If you are looking for an affordable long term/monthly stay, it is great.  The rates were $850 a month for full hook-ups.  They had last minute space available, too.  

    If you are in the area, check out the Miami Zoo.  We were there when they had the "Zoo Lights" a super fun evening event.  They have other events at the Zoo and lots to do nearby.  You are closer to town than Everglades Encore, but still close to the agricultural area.  I recommend but not as fun or as many activities as some other places.

  • Amber H.
    Dec. 6, 2020

    Southern Comfort RV Resort

    Nice park

    Last campground before the Keys. Lots of sites. Not overly large sites so you may have trouble parking at your site. It gets crowded during the NASCAR race as the Homestead track is 5 miles down the road. Tiki bar on site, open on the weekends. Traffic noise can be loud at certain times of the day. Large pool. Decent facilities but do need updating.

  • Michelle C.
    Jul. 8, 2021

    Riptide RV Resort

    Tight sites but great sunsets

    This campground is small with tight sites (short and close together). There’s no pool but there are laundry facilities and a clean bathroom. There’s a community grill, picnic area, and chairs to enjoy the sunsets


Guide to Palmetto Bay

Glamping options near Palmetto Bay, Florida provide access to both urban and natural environments with temperatures rarely falling below 60°F in winter. Many sites maintain year-round availability though some facilities close seasonally for maintenance. Most campgrounds near Palmetto Bay require advance reservations with many allowing stays up to 30 days for RVs but limiting tent camping to shorter periods.

What to do

Kayaking adventures: Multiple waterways surround the Palmetto Bay area with Key Largo offering excellent paddling opportunities. At Riptide RV Resort, visitors can launch directly from the property. "Nice pavilion down at water, nice little beach, dock, restrooms, showers and laundry," reports Jayne W.

Mountain biking trails: Oleta River State Park Campground features extensive trail networks just 30 minutes from downtown Miami. "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," states L O. Some trails may close after heavy rains.

Wildlife viewing: Zoo Miami sits adjacent to some campgrounds, offering educational day trips. "This is a very nice campground which is part of the Miami-Dade County park system," reports a visitor. Sites offer both camping comfort and easy wildlife access.

What campers like

Budget-friendly base camp: Many glamping spots near Palmetto Bay serve as affordable hubs for exploring both Miami and the Everglades. At Southern Comfort RV Resort, campers appreciate the value. "We stayed for a week. Not many frills, certainly not a resort and bathroom frequently ran out of TP, but as a relatively affordable base of vacation operations it was good. Close to the Keys, Everglades, Biscayne and shopping," notes Rob K.

Urban convenience: Unlike remote wilderness camping, Palmetto Bay glamping offers proximity to urban amenities. Paradise Island RV Resort provides city benefits while camping. "Campground in the city, great guest services, friendly staff. Near grocery store, and everything! Full hookup sites, spots are big and concrete roads," explains Milagros B.

Family water activities: Several sites maintain swimming facilities for kids. At Quiet Waters Park, water activities remain the main attraction. "It was a great time went fishing had fire s and explored nature the park office has everything," shares Michael, highlighting the water-based recreation options.

What you should know

Security concerns: Some campgrounds report theft issues. "Our Ford F-250 King Ranch 4x4 diesel got stolen in the middle of the day from right in front of our RV at this park. This state park is NOT secure!" warns Marta L. Always secure valuables and choose sites with good lighting.

Seasonal closures: Facilities often close for maintenance or during off-seasons. One camper at Larry & Penny Thompson Park noted during Covid: "Right now, nothing is open until memorial day weekend. So no beach and no pool. Also half the park is under construction."

Stay limits vary: Tent campers face stricter time limits than RVers at most locations. "Wish the website was clearer on length of stay - 30 days for RVs and 7 days for tent campers. After 7 days, you have to leave and can't return for 30 days," reports Sandra R.

Tips for camping with families

Book early for holidays: Glamping accommodations fill quickly during winter and school breaks. Brittany S. shares a cautionary tale: "We inquired about reserving one of their cabins for a week long stay over Thanksgiving. We let them know that we would have 2 adults and 3 children."

Prepare for wildlife encounters: Suburban settings still bring wildlife visitors. "Beware of the feral cats and raccoons though. We spent an entire night fending them off with a slingshot and they didn't bother us again," warns Finn H.

Bring swim gear year-round: Most parks maintain swimming areas that operate throughout winter months. Ashley J. notes about her December visit: "It was on the water, had a grill, electricity, fire pit, tent, running water and was pet friendly. We brought our kayaks and played around."

Tips from RVers

Watch entry angles: Many glamping locations near Palmetto Bay have tight entrances. "The entrance is a little hidden and tight but doable. We were towing a 36' travel trailer," advises Mike M. about navigating into Southern Comfort RV Resort.

Expect tight parking: Urban RV sites maximize space but limit maneuvering room. Richard H. reports: "This is an older campground with a lot of full-time RVers. The staff are extremely friendly and helpful and will do whatever they can to make you satisfied."

Plan dump strategy: Waste facilities can be limited in the area. One camper warns: "The dumpsite is between the office and the fence. This requires you to back into position or drive down a narrow path and make 3 tight turns. Florida has NO dump sites at rest or service areas!"

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Palmetto Bay, FL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Palmetto Bay, FL is Larry & Penny Thompson Park with a 3.4-star rating from 19 reviews.

What is the best site to find glamping camping near Palmetto Bay, FL?

TheDyrt.com has all 6 glamping camping locations near Palmetto Bay, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.