Nicole R.
Guide
GuideMarkham Park Campground
Cool place
This was a county park and has 88 sites. You are surrounded by water with lots of wildlife. There are several circles of sites which are very close together but very nice
Tent Camping near Palmetto Bay, FL
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Tent camping near Palmetto Bay, Florida presents unique options accessible primarily by water, with Biscayne National Park and Everglades National Park offering several tent-only sites on islands and chickee platforms. Elliott Key and Boca Chita Key in Biscayne National Park are boat-access tent campsites where campers can pitch tents along shorelines or in designated areas while enjoying views of the Miami skyline and aquamarine waters.
Most tent sites in this region require water transportation, with canoes, kayaks, or motorboats being essential for reaching the backcountry locations. Biscayne National Park's islands offer tent camping with basic amenities including toilets but no drinking water. The Everglades' chickee platforms like Pearl Bay, Hells Bay, and Shark Point are elevated wooden structures built over water specifically designed for tent camping. Backcountry permits are required for wilderness camping in both national parks, and campers must pack in all supplies including drinking water. Sites typically cost $15-25 per night depending on location and group size.
The waterfront tent camping near Palmetto Bay offers exceptional opportunities for wildlife viewing, swimming, snorkeling, and fishing. Backcountry chickee platforms in Everglades National Park provide isolated camping with minimal facilities but maximum immersion in nature. Mosquitoes are prevalent after sunset, particularly at the chickee sites, requiring proper preparation. According to one visitor, "Lane Bay is a great site if you can get it! Unlike other chickees, it is a single platform, so your group will be the only ones out there." The Everglades tent sites provide varying levels of paddling difficulty, with Hell's Bay described as "well-marked for the most part and easy enough for a beginner paddler." Visitors frequently report dolphin, shark, and bird sightings from these remote tent platforms.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Palmetto Bay (19)
1. Elliott Key — Biscayne National Park
"A boat is needed to reach these campgrounds and are tent only. No reservations."
"We saw a ton of wildlife, beautiful waters, and views. Unfortunately, there's a TON of liter (not the park's fault, just dirty people who don't care about the environment)."
Check AvailabilityCampground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $25 - $60 / night
2. Boca Chita Key — Biscayne National Park
"There's a small trail around the wooded end of the island. You can stay on your boat or pitch a tent on the island."
"It has a beautiful waterfront view and plenty of picnic tables. Toilets are available but no showers, sinks or drinking water. We enjoyed our stay there but remember to bring bug spray!"
Check Availabilityfrom $25 - $60 / night
3. AD Barnes Park - Group Camping Facility
Check Availabilityfrom $190 - $250 / night
5. Sawgrass Recreation Park
"Luckily, the weather stayed nice during our visit, making it a really pleasant trip. A $200 deposit is also pending, subject to a damage inspection of the campsite."
"Sawgrass Recreation area primary businesses are airboat tours and petting zoo, however they have a small primitive campsite at the back as well. I was trying to ride my bicycle from Ft."
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
6. Backcountry Hells Bay Chickee — Everglades National Park
"We have only done 1-2 overnight paddle trips before, but the park rangers were very helpful in getting us set up. The paddle took about 3-4 hours each way but we took our time."
"We kayaked the Hells Bay trail in January and had a great time. The trail is well marked for the most part and easy enough for a beginner paddler. The chickee was windy, but in good repair."
Check Availabilityfrom $23 - $33 / night
7. Quiet Waters Park
"Tucked away in the bustling suburbs of Deerfield Beach, Quiet Waters Park offers one of South Florida's more unusual camping experiences."
"We brought our kayaks and played around. Had a lot of space to walk our dogs. It was really a great time!"
8. Canepatch Wilderness Campground — Everglades National Park
"You can hike, kayak, canoe, take boat tours, bike, and of course see tons of wildlife."
9. Backcountry Shark Point Chickee — Everglades National Park
"You are going to need a lot of water, sun screen, food supplies, sleeping pad, and your tent. Is a lot of work but fhe view, the silence, and the wild life is amazing!"
"Wind kept bugs blown away."
10. Backcountry Pearl Bay Chickee — Everglades National Park
"Brand new and ADA certified as much as a platform over water can be! Both platforms have ladders and the eastern platform has small steps down towards the water level for those with limited mobility."
Check Availabilityfrom $23 - $35 / night
Drive Time
- 17 min from Miami, FL
- 1 hr 51 min from Port St. Lucie, FL
- 1 hr 51 min from Naples, FL
- 2 hrs 27 min from Cape Coral, FL
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Palmetto Bay, FL
12 Photos of 19 Palmetto Bay Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tent Camping Reviews near Palmetto Bay, FL
256 Reviews of 19 Palmetto Bay Campgrounds
- Nan N.Guide
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Campground
The sites are pretty close and right on top of one another, but the location is good! The bath houses are kept clean. There is construction here right now at the marina, so that's less than ideal, but it should be nice when done. We are here at a very rainy time, so it's pretty swampy and the mosquitoes are relentless, so highly recommend bug spray and a screened tent.
Stuart K.
LegendQuiet Waters Park
No RVs, No Tent Setup, No Problem
Tucked away in the bustling suburbs of Deerfield Beach, Quiet Waters Park offers one of South Florida's more unusual camping experiences. This sprawling 427-acre Broward County park features sparkling lakes, tropical greenery and enough outdoor recreation to keep just about everyone entertained. But here's the twist: forget about bringing your RV or even pitching your own tent! Instead, the campground features 25 preassembled canvas tents and two traditional tepees, all situated on a scenic lakeside peninsula. With kayaking, fishing, mountain biking, cable wakeboarding and a seasonal water playground, there's certainly no shortage of ways to work up an appetite before gathering around the campfire.
The campground itself is relatively small and refreshingly uncomplicated. Each 10-by-10-foot canvas tent sits on an elevated wooden platform, helping keep campers off the damp Florida ground, while individual sites feature electricity, running water, picnic tables, charcoal grills and fire rings. The two tepees offer a fun alternative, particularly for families with adventurous youngsters. Restrooms with hot showers are conveniently located within the camping area, and there's even a sand volleyball court and horseshoe pit for a little friendly competition. While the grounds are attractive and the lakeside setting is lovely, don't expect luxury accommodations or complete seclusion. This is camping with a few creature comforts, not 'glamping' at the Ritz-Carlton!
There are a couple of important considerations before booking. First, you'll need to bring your own bedding and camping essentials, mosquitoes can be relentless during warmer months, and South Florida's humidity doesn't magically disappear just because you're sleeping under canvas. Secondly, there are absolutely no RV campsites, making this a destination exclusively for tent and tepee enthusiasts. Nevertheless, for families, first-time campers and anyone seeking an easy introduction to outdoor living, Quiet Waters offers a wonderfully different experience. Third, if you are thinking of booking one of the teepees as a novelty experience, you should, but be aware, there's a reason why Native Americans generally didn't use teepees in FL - there's very little ventilation, so at least during the summer months, you'll want to avoid these particular accommodations.
Insider's Tip: (1) If you want an absolute beautiful sunset view directly from inside the canvas tent you booked for the night or your nearby picnic table, then book one of the sites that sit on the northern edge of the small peninsula of campsites; (2) There's slightly more breeze that blows into your thick canvas tent if you are on the southern perimeter of the peninsula - I booked site #21 and experienced GREAT views of the water, had decent breezes (but still needed the aid of my electric jumbo fan); (3) If you are thinking about bringing your bike or hiking shoes, you absolutely should AND your swimming shorts as the cable skiing adventure is WELL WORTH IT - I wished I had known this was here before I arrived here otherwise I would have come prepared; and (4) The CG staff here are FIRST RATE, so when you are booking, be sure to follow their recommendations and advice - perhaps the biggest tip I could give you is to download the APP before you arrive to allow for a seamless gate entry experience, even after dark.
Happy Camping!
Kim K.GuideJohn Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Campground
Awesome campground
Really nice clean campground clean showers and bathrooms snorkeling diving glass bottom boats kayak rentals on site went on the snorkeling trip really inexpensive $45 went to Christ of the abyss beautiful reef lots of colorful fish all around great time
Sabrina N.GuideLong Pine Key Campground — Everglades National Park
Serviceable
Stayed in Feb ‘24. We were one of the few tent campers we saw. Lots of generator noise but cutoff times were appreciated. Our site was a bit of a walk to the bathroom but nothing crazy and it was decently private, only really had neighbors to one side and across. Plenty of room for the 2 tents we had, firewood available for purchase, shower water left something to be desired but better than nothing.
Kai Z.
RangerMidway Campground — Big Cypress National Preserve
Charming Little Campground by the Water
We only stayed here for one night, but it’s a really nice little campground built around a large pond. Everything is well maintained, and there are some lovely covered seating areas right by the water where you can relax. The host was very friendly as well. The only downside to this campground is that there are no showers and no direct water hookup at the campsites. Other than that, it’s a really lovely and enjoyable place to stay.
- MMichele Z.
ScoutJohn Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Campground
My first camping experience
I had a really amazing experience that has gotten me hooked on camp life. Between the beautiful nature trails, various on-site activities and clean friendly environment I can say with certainty that I am now a camper for life!
Ruby C.GuideLong Pine Key Campground — Everglades National Park
Everglades Field School - Long Pine Key with a big group
I personally loved the Long Pine Key Campground, after being twice earlier this year. One trip was short and sweet with one other person as a site visit for a larger group the following month, and in February the weather was PERFECT! Cool, clear nights and no bugs. So peaceful and perfect, our team thought our next trip with our field school would be a breeze. Highly recommend visiting in February or while it’s still cool if you can!
We returned in March, Spring Break, with a bunch of environmentally focused college students at their group site and 5 additional sites. And they LOVED it, even after a rocky start facing the strong Florida thunderstorms, waiting out the rain and then setting up in the dark. The rain was so needed, and honestly meant the world to the students to see the ecosystem come to life while in this drought.
The group site housed 5 tents, and our additional sites had 2 each (students were told not to hang up hammocks on their sparse trees per the campground rules), and we were able to stay relatively close together and still have some breathing room for the beautiful vegetation between the sites. Keep an eye out for critters, especially snakes surrounding the campsite. We saw multiple cottonmouths and even some babies, super cool but want to keep your distance.
The restrooms are clean, dish sink is a godsend, and showers were warmed by solar (score!). We are so thankful to the campsite for taking care of all of us, and it’s worth the adventure. Bugs, snakes, weather, and more, full send it!
- Kelly B.Guide
Key Largo Kampground & Marina
Easy, Clean, Safe and Family Friendly
We booked a small travel trailer air bnb here for the week. We had a private dock on the canal. If we had kayaks or a boat you have direct access to the state park nearby and the Atlantic from either your dock or the marina. Bath house were clean. Quiet at night. The campground is a mix of full time residents, snowbirds, renters in campers, RVs and a few tents. There is a heated pool, laundry, lots of games and two small sandy beaches. Easy stay while exploring the keys.
Guide to Palmetto Bay
Tent campsites near Palmetto Bay, Florida require careful preparation due to limited freshwater and accessibility challenges. Most camping options in this region demand water transportation, with paddle times ranging from 3-4 hours to remote chickee platforms. The nearby Everglades and Biscayne National Parks feature camping sites that can only be accessed by boat, requiring backcountry permits and advance planning.
What to do
Kayaking through mangroves: Pearl Bay Chickee features a moderate paddle through winding mangroves before reaching the platform. "This is a beautiful Chickee! Brand new and ADA certified as much as a platform over water can be! Both platforms have ladders and the eastern platform has small steps down towards the water level for those with limited mobility," notes a visitor to Pearl Bay Chickee.
Fishing from platforms: Elevated wooden platforms provide excellent fishing opportunities directly from your campsite. At Shark Point Chickee, campers report remarkable wildlife viewing. "I saw sharks, dolphins, alligators, and different type of fish. Be prepared!" warns one paddler who made the 3-4 hour journey.
Stargazing: The remote locations offer exceptional night sky viewing when weather permits. "Wind kept bugs blown away," notes one camper at Shark Point Chickee, highlighting how evening conditions can vary dramatically based on weather patterns.
What campers like
Solitude and isolation: Many chickee platforms accommodate only small groups, creating a true wilderness experience. "Lane Bay is a great site if you can get it! Unlike other chickees, it is a single platform, so your group will be the only ones out there," reports one visitor to the Everglades backcountry.
Wildlife encounters: Marine and bird life regularly visit the camping platforms. At Hells Bay Chickee, one camper reports, "A few dolphins swam by the Chickee and on the paddle we saw sharks, seabirds, and fish."
Sunrise and sunset views: The unobstructed water views create dramatic lighting conditions. "Enjoyed an awesome sunset and sunrise from the chickee. Stars were great but hard to enjoy because as soon as the sun goes down the bugs SWARM," explains an Emily G. who camped at Hells Bay.
What you should know
Platform conditions vary significantly: The construction and maintenance of chickee platforms differ across sites. A recent visitor to Hells Bay Chickee noted infrastructure concerns: "The porta-potty doesn't lock and someone put a string on it to hold it shut. There are no ladders like some of the new chickees."
Pack all supplies: No drinking water exists at most sites. "There is no electricity, no freshwater, and minimal to no cell service," warns a camper at Pearl Bay Chickee.
Weather changes rapidly: Wind conditions can shift dramatically, affecting both comfort and safety. "Winds can change drastically and quickly, so make sure to tie of your watercraft really well; we went from flat calm to 25knots in just 5 minutes," reports a camper at Hells Bay Chickee.
Tips for camping with families
Choose accessible sites: Some platforms are more family-friendly than others. "This is a great one nighter, or a stop on the way to further sites like Hells Bay of Lane Bay chickee. It is semi-protected so one still gets a decent breeze," notes a visitor to Pearl Bay Chickee about its accessibility for first-time paddlers.
Bring indoor activities: Evening mosquito swarms often force everyone into tents after sunset. "Pack some cards or something to do in the tent after sunset before bed," advises an Emily G. who camped at Hells Bay.
Consider urban alternatives: For families seeking more amenities, Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach offers developed camping with facilities. "My husband and I rented a campground flat in December. It was on the water, had a grill, electricity, fire pit, tent, running water and was pet friendly," reports Ashley J.
Tips from RVers
Limited RV options near Palmetto Bay: Most camping in this area focuses on boat-accessible tent sites. For RVers, Boca Chita Key offers a compromise: "This small island in Biscayne National Park offers a distant view of the Miami skyline, gorgeous aqua water for swimming, snorkeling, boating and fishing."
Day trips from RV parks: Consider making day trips to Biscayne National Park while staying at developed campgrounds farther north. "There are picnic tables and grills available," notes a camper about Boca Chita Key, making it suitable for extended day visits from mainland RV parks.
Frequently Asked Questions
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campsite near Palmetto Bay, FL?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Palmetto Bay, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Palmetto Bay, FL is Elliott Key — Biscayne National Park with a 4-star rating from 4 reviews.
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Palmetto Bay, FL?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Palmetto Bay, FL?
TheDyrt.com has all 19 tent camping locations near Palmetto Bay, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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