Looking for an adventure where you can explore Palmetto Bay and then fall asleep in your tent? Find the best information on tent campgrounds near Palmetto Bay, including sites, reviews, and tips. You're sure to find the perfect tent campsite for your Florida camping adventure.
Eliott Key is only accessible by boat. No services are available on the island. Elliott Key is the park's largest island. Restrooms with sinks and cold water showers, picnic tables and grills are available. Drinking water is available, but bring water as a precaution if the system goes down. There are 33 boat slips in the marina. This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you can pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app. There is limited cellular connectivity at this location. Please download the free Recreation.gov mobile app and create an account prior to arrival.
Daytime use and overnight camping - the campground is located on the Biscayne Bay side. Overnight camping and docking fees are required. Picknicking - tables and barbecue grills are available in the campground and marina. Hiking - a mile-long loop trail starts near the campground. Also, "Spite Highway" runs approximately six miles down the center of the island. It affords a good opportunity to see a variety of habitats in the martime forest. Fishing - permitted from the maintenance dock (south of the harbor) or from the shoreline outside of the no-wake zone. Fishing regulations apply.
The largest island in the park was once a thriving community of pioneers engaged in pineapple farming, sponging, wrecking, and other pursuits. Today the island offers camping, picnicking, wildlife watching and a hiking trail. A mile-long loop trail starts near the campground. Also, "Spite Highway" runs approximately six miles down the center of the island. It affords a good opportunity to see a variety of habitats in the martime forest.
Elliott Key is located just south of Boca Chita Key.
Ensure one of the designated campsites is available prior to paying. Once payment is made on-site, we do not offer refunds or modifications.
$25 / night
Boca Chita Key is only accessible by boat. No services are available on the island. Boca Chita Key is the park's most popular island. It features beautiful waterfront views, a grassy camping area, picnic tables and grills. Toilets are available, but there are no showers, sinks or drinking water. The harbor entrance at low tide is approximately four feet.__ This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you can pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app.__ There is limited cellular connectivity at this location. Please download the free Recreation.gov mobile app and create an account prior to arrival.
Boca Chita Key features daytime use and overnight camping. Grills and picnic tables are in designated camping areas. A half mile hiking trail starts just east of the restrooms. The trail continues to the south end of the island and emerges near the pavilion.
Boca Chita Key features daytime use and overnight camping. Grills and picnic tables are in designated camping areas. A half mile hiking trail starts just east of the restrooms. The trail continues to the south end of the island and emerges near the pavilion.
The iconic and historic lighthouse, built by Mark Honeywell in the 1930s, guides boats to the beauty and wonders of the park. Boca Chita is the most visited island in the park. The observation deck of the 65 foot tall lighthouse provides a fantastic view of islands, bay, ocean and Miami skyline. If park employees are around they may be able to open the observation deck for viewing. A half mile hiking trail starts just east of the restrooms. The trail continues to the south end of the island and emerges near the pavilion.
Boca Chita Key is located just north of Elliott Key.
Ensure one of the designated 21 campsites is available prior to paying. Once payment is made on-site, we do not offer refunds or modifications.
$35 / night
Sawgrass Recreation Park was previously a fishing camp. Over the next 30 years it transformed from a fishing camp, into a one boat airboat attraction in the 1970’s and finally became one of South Florida’s top destinations for visitors in the new millennium. In 2005, shortly after Hurricane Wilma hit, the Soverns’ family acquired Sawgrass Recreation Park. Since then, the park has expanded the exhibit areas to allow for the adoption and rescue of more reptiles and mammals. Sawgrass has also expanded community relations, offering an annual scholarship to a local student, and forging partnerships with local schools to educate students about the Florida Everglades.
Our store is well stocked with beverages, snacks, and lunch items. Tent Camping in the Everglades is primitive and available for $20.00 per site, per night. There is a maximum of 2 tents per site. Sites are available 7 days a week (reservations are required). Private guided fishing tours are available with advanced bookings (call for info). Group camping in the Everglades is also available for 20 or more campers (call for special rates). Sites are equipped with a picnic table and a campfire ring. Access to restrooms is a short walk. There are no showers on the property.
$10 / night
This campground is available only to groups and/or organizations, no family camping is allowed. A.D. Barnes Park is a 65-acre park nestled in the heart of one of Miami's busiest areas. The park is dedicated to and named after the first Director of the Parks and Recreation Department, who strongly believed recreation was important to the lives of every citizen in Miami-Dade County. Since its opening in 1977, the park has integrated activities that serve people with disabilities into its programming. The Leisure Access Camp is fully accessible for persons with disabilities and is available to rent to all. The camp is surrounded by ten acres of pineland and tropical hardwoods. It features two cottages equipped with showers, a lodge, and a dining hall with full kitchen. This campground is available only to groups and/or organizations, no family camping is allowed. The cabins include 10 (twin) beds per cabin (occupancy load is 20), you can bring additional cots/sleeping bags or roll away beds. There are two fully accessible restrooms with showers in each cabin. There are Ceiling fans as well as central A/C-Heat. The Lodge / Kitchen area seats 64 with tables and 90 without tables and may be reserved for meetings or social functions. Special activities for persons with disabilities are offered at the camp, and the complex may be reserved for special programs.
$190 - $250 / night
$23 - $33 / night
$23 - $35 / night
Traveler
I loved the peace and quiet at this park. The Park rangers are amazing and you have a dog amount of space to yourself! 😊
Legend
Not the best not the worst. Totally does the job and has all the amenities. Just not our vibe. Sites were all on grass and after a couple of weeks camping just the south I sure appreciate some gravel or sand. All the things live in grass. Pool.. looked nice but it was locked. Another one where the offices closes at 5.. most seem to be open until 7-8pm my favorite was key west open til 10pm! Just nice to have someone to communicate with - were low maintenance - or some signage describing how to utilize things if the office is closed. Bathrooms clean & with AC, nice park, courts to play sports but not sure if any equipment available. Clubhouse was unlocked we played pool while we waited for an Uber to the baseball game.
Scout
I have to start by saying that I haven't been here in a few years but I went there this week and I was amazed at the transformation. It is beautiful, clean and very welcoming. Each site has new outdoor furniture and is clean. These sites are just waiting for you to pull in. The staff was very nice and went above and beyond to make sure I had everything I needed. I highly recommend a stay here. The pool is crystal clear and welcoming. 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!
Legend
Sites are close together but all have full hookups. No shade. Has a pool and nice shower facilities. Lots of activities like kareoke and sometimes live music. Beach area was nasty with seaweed. Dogs allowed (2 max). Dog walk (not fenced) was dried up retention pond. Dog beach was small sandy area. It was nice if tide was up. Free kayaks you can check out to use on site which was nice. Good spot for home base while going to other places to fish and kayak. We were there in off season (June) and traffic was nuts along US1. Just fyi. Wifi is decent but you have to pay if you want to stream. It is one of the lower prices RV parks in the area and it was sufficient.
Ranger
Full hookups, beaches, marina, hiking paths, small park and lots of relaxing in the sun. Down the road has grocery stores, small shops and great restaurants.
Guide
Many sites around a body of water
Scout
Adverse weather conditions, specifically rainfall, may impede vehicular access to and from the adjacent campsites, resulting in potential challenges navigating muddy terrain. Fortunately, our visit remained unaffected by precipitation, ensuring a pleasant and pristine experience. Additionally, a $200 down deposit is temporarily pending, with clearance contingent upon the absence of any damages to the campsite.
Scout
This is our second time staying at this campground. Staff is friendly. Place is clean. Has two beaches which is a lot. The keys aren’t known for sandy beaches but key largo kampground has two small sandy beaches that make u feel secluded from the world.
Legend
Pinecrest: Group camp. (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good
(70 yr olds in 17’ trailer. Our rating of a campground is influenced by the following: The general ambiance- sort of wilderness feel the campground gives us. A selection of campsites which offer some visual privacy and/or view from sites. Cleanliness of whatever facilities are offered is important and usually noted in my review.
Overall Rating: 3.5 for a group campground
Security: None. Isolated.
Usage during visit: Empty
Site Privacy: None - Two defined areas
Site Spacing:
Site surface: Grass
Reservations: Yes
Campground Noise: Quiet
Road Noise: No e
Through Traffic in campground: No reason
Electric Hookup: No
Sewer Hookup: No
Dump Station: No
Potable Water Available: At Midway CG
Generators: Yes
Bathroom: Pit toilet
Showers: No
Pull Throughs: Yes
Cell Service (AT&T): 2 bars
Setting: Open grass area surrounded by trees
Recent Weather: 50s to 80s. Some high winds. Tornado warnings
Solar: Yes
Host: Not on premises
Rig Size: Can accommodate large rigs
Sites: See pics
Legend
Mitchell’s Landing: this isolated campground has an airboat launch area. I met a man, Bill, who grew up on this property, owned by his Miccosukee family until the mid 70s. According to him, the department of the interior, reneged on their promise that this land would stay in his family. (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good
(70 yr olds in 17’ trailer. Our rating of a campground is influenced by the following: The general ambiance- sort of wilderness feel the campground gives us. A selection of campsites which offer some visual privacy and/or view from sites. Cleanliness of whatever facilities are offered is important and usually noted in my review.
Overall Rating: 4 Price 2023: $ w interagency pass Security: No - Remote Usage during visit: Light Site Privacy: about half the sites are spread out in an open park lake area. Are very nice. Some sites are very nice. I was those below. Site Spacing: the nicest sites are pretty good in this regard Site surface: grass Reservations: Yes Campground Noise: Quiet when we were here Road Noise: too remote. Through Traffic in campground: None while I was visiting. Electric Hookup: no Sewer Hookup: no, no Dump Station: at Midway campground. (30 minutes). Potable Water Available: The closest water is at Midway CG (30 minutes). Generators: allowed Bathroom: pit toilets. Moderately clean Showers: no. Pull Throughs: some Cell Service (AT&T): three Setting: surrounded by trees Recent Weather: very mixed this year. 50s into the 80s. Solar: some Host: yes Rig Size: 30 footers are here. Be careful with site you choose for that size Sites: my favorite – 4,5,6,7,10, 8 Okay:15
LegendMidway in Big Cypress: This is our forth time here. We love this campground, though the sites are open. All trailer sites look over the lake which is in the middle of the campground. This campground seems to be very conducive to meeting people. (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good
(70 yr olds in 17’ trailer. Our rating of a campground is influenced by the following: The general ambiance- sort of wilderness feel the campground gives us. A selection of campsites which offer some visual privacy and/or view from sites. Cleanliness of whatever facilities are offered is important and usually noted in my review.
Overall Rating: 4.5 for the lake view
Price 2023: $ 15 w interagency pass
Usage during visit: RV sites full every night. Tent sites accommodate vans, rooftop tents….
Site Privacy: None
Site Spacing: Fair
Site surface: Blacktop
Reservations: Required
Campground Noise: Tent area - defiantly.
Road Noise: Tent area - defiantly. From # 21, yes.
Through Traffic in campground: Folks might come in to have picnics at tables around the lake.
Electric Hookup: Yes
Sewer Hookup: No
Dump Station: Yes
Potable Water Available: Yes, at the dump station.
Generators: Allowed.
Bathroom: Flush toilet. Only one stall in the men’s. Clean.
Showers: At Monument Lake CH, 20 minutes.
Pull Throughs: None in RV Loop
Cell Service (AT&T): Site 21 usually has 1 bar. Sites at the near the end have weaker reception.
Setting: All RV sites are situated around the lake
Recent Weather: High 50s to 80s. Rain
Solar: Plenty in the tent sites
Host: Three
Rig Size: Largest bus RVs are here
Sites: 19 - 26 are best shaded sites. 13 and 14 are corner sites with less shade . 1 is near a shed, but a fine site. Picnic tables along the lake and in between these sites: 22&23, 3&4, 11&12, 16&17. (On nice weekend days you can expect small groups using these spots for day usage.)
Legend
Long Pine : Sites are more private here than the one other Everglades established campground (Flamingo). More trails here. Flamingo is closer to water activities. We saw a rattlesnake this trip. Previously, we had a water moccasin under our trailer I figure having been disoriented during a torrential downpour. (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good
(70 yr olds in 17’ trailer. Our rating of a campground is influenced by the following: The general ambiance- sort of wilderness feel the campground gives us. A selection of campsites which offer some visual privacy and/or view from sites. Cleanliness of whatever facilities are offered is important and usually noted in my review.
Overall Rating: 3.5. Lower rating than the camping experience deserves. Reasons:? Poor cleanliness of facilities as is often my experience in concessionaire run campgrounds. The interagency pass only attains a 10% discount. Our stay and other retirees I have spoken with limit our stays. Note the campground was only full on weekdays!
Price 2023: $ 34 w interagency pass
Usage during visit: 1/2 to 3/4 mostly
Site Privacy: Low growing shrubs give great privacy between most all RV sites
Site Spacing: Good
Site surface: Grass
Reservations: Yes
Campground Noise: Inner loop roads are short with limited # of spaces in each. This coupled with dense foliage keeps the noise down.
Road Noise: None
Through Traffic in campground: Only the outer loop road because of campground traffic only. It’s not too bad
Electric Hookup: No
Sewer Hookup: No
Dump Station: Yes
Potable Water Available: Near restroom facilities.
Generators: Yes
Bathroom: Flush toilets are kept clean. The ready of the facility boarders on disgusting.
Showers: Solar. Water temperature depends on sunshine, time of day, usage , and the length showers folks take.
Pull Throughs: Available.
Cell Service (AT&T): Good, Flamingo is stronger.
Setting: Carved into a dense palm shrub lower canopy.
Recent Weather: Really varied during our stay.
Solar: Good on the clear days.
Host: Full time personnel
GuideWe stayed thirteen nights at this park. We really enjoyed the stay and recommend. The campsites are mostly nice. There are a lot of seasonal campers and it seems those sites are nicer. The sites closer to the cabin area are closer together. I wouldn't recommend this campsite for actual campsite, but rather the excellent location and fun activities and amenities of the park.
The park has lots to do and while dated, it is kept in good shape. The pool is lovely with lounge chairs, palm trees and a tropical feel. They have a hot tub, too. Everything clean and had a resort-feel. There are an abundance of activities: pickle ball, shuffleboard, a nice mini-golf course, walking trail, clubhouse, fire pits and large open grassy space.
We have two active dogs and they have a huge field where we were able to run our dogs off-leash and chase the frisbee. I am not sure if it is allowed, but there were others as well so seemed okay. This was a real benefit when camping with pets that like to run.
The park is in a beautiful, agricultural area in the town of Redlands. It is very tropical with farms, nurseries and lots of tropical fruit stands and interesting parks. It feels rural but it is close enough to town to go to the Miami beaches or other activities. If you go, check out all the agricultural farms, the Fruit and Spice stand, the 'Robert is Here' fruit stand and the Knaups Berry Farm for world class cinnamon rolls. The lines were too long for us to wait, but we heard they were the best.
This is one of the most friendly parks I have stayed. We were there on Christmas and New Years and had a total blast. They had music, karaoke, dancing and potluck dinners. The staff was nice too, we met Jason who was super helpful. My friend flew in to visit and she rented one of their deluxe cabins. It was really nice, with a fireplace, fenced patio, loft, kitchen. The entire experience at this resort was enjoyable and felt like being at camp. Highly recommend a visit.
TravelerIt is a beautiful campground. Each site is completely private due to dense vegetation. The bathroom and shower facilities were nice, and everyone is super friendly.
Scouta quiet place, beautiful lake, what I didn't like is that the other campsites are very close and you can hear everything from the rest, everything is fine
Scout
Called to inquire pricing and was told they do not have RV sites
Scout
Good experience, this was the first campground we ever visited with our RV but it was smooth. Price was okay (I guess), front desk lady was very friendly, slot was spacey and the pool seemed nice although we didn't use it (what a shame)
Scout
Had a wonderful week at the naval station in Key West. It only cost $40 per night. All amenities were available.
GuideGreat camp sites, leveled with electric for the RVs and tent camping off on the side. Clean bathrooms (no showers) and dump station. Attendant was friendly. Central pond for fishing just watch for the gators.
Guide
Very nice people and great fishing community
ScoutLovely, well kept park with lots to do.! Quiet and clean with the nicest desk staff I have ever come across. Will definitely revisit.
ScoutThe resort itself is large and surrounded by fruit trees, pine trees and other shady trees which offer coverage from the hot sun. Activities only December to April - pool is nice and the staff that directs you to your site is amazing. Otherwise no security after hours which allows rif raf to come in and use the pool, laundry facilities, etc which makes the area unsafe.
ScoutIt was a great time went fishing had fire s and explored nature the park office has everything.m
ScoutSmall places, very expensive, closed Pool much earlier
ScoutGood to stay here. Very nice sites, pool and playground
TravelerIt was tight getting our 32ft pull behind back to our spot, but folks all came out to offer tips and help us get around. So we actually got parked in fairly short order.
The dog walk area near our site was pretty small and it’s bookended by tent camp sites. My dogs were more interested in the goings on than doing their business and we couldn’t really walk them away from it.
That being said. The location is great! As I mentioned in the title. It’s cozy and friendly and pretty quiet.
The marina is nice. And the beaches were great launch points for kayaks.
I would, and probably will, stay here again.
Traveler
I am so happy I found this beautiful piece of paradise and didn’t let bad reviews sway my decision. Every person has different experiences and unfortunately most people only write reviews when it’s negative. Alana and the Manager Jim have been so accommodating and helpful to me. As a first time RVer, Jim greeted me and helped me set up my whole RV and taught me how to clean out my tanks! He was so patient with how I wanted my RV to face the sunrise as he pulled me into the perfect spot with his forklift! I was so grateful for his help, it was unexpected as I was planning on opening my tutorial videos! Alana, knowing Hurricane Ian wiped out my home and business was thinking of ways to help me start up my paddle boarding business again down in The Keys. She has been so kind and patient with me! My favorite thing about Blue Fin is starting my mornings on the water, watching the sunrise on my paddle board just steps from my front door!
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Palmetto Bay, FL?
TheDyrt.com has all 18 tent camping locations near Palmetto Bay, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
