Cabin camping near Miami, Florida spans from coastal locations to areas bordering wildlife reserves. Located at the southern tip of Florida, the region experiences a tropical monsoon climate with warm temperatures averaging 75-85°F year-round. Winter months (December-April) represent prime camping season when lower humidity and temperatures in the 70s create more comfortable conditions.
What to do
Water activities at state parks: John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Campground offers abundant water recreation options. "Awesome place to go for water enthusiasts. There's boating, canoeing, kayaking, snorkeling, fishing, and there's a good beach for the little kids to enjoy the water," notes José C. The park provides full hookups with both 30 and 50 amp service available.
Urban trail exploration: Oleta River State Park Campground provides outdoor recreation within Miami's metropolitan area. "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. The park charges approximately $55 per night for cabin stays.
Shoreline fishing: Kings Kamp RV Park Tent Camping and Bay Front Marina offers water access directly from the property. "It actually has a small marina, so bring the boat or kayak and launch right there. We found a nice little spot where we fished and had our lunch by," shares Amanda K. The campground provides both tent sites and cabin accommodations with direct water access.
What campers like
Central location: Larry & Penny Thompson Park serves as a strategic base camp for regional attractions. "This campsite is a great central base camp for those visiting Biscayne NP/Everglades NP and Miami. Clean and safe, with spots for both RVs and tents. Bathrooms/showers/laundry facilities on site are well maintained," reports sandra R.
Affordable pricing: John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Campground provides good value compared to other Keys accommodations. "We camped here for 6 nights as a home base while fishing the area. I would say 17 bucks a night is a little pricey for a tent site but not outrageous," notes Finn H. The campground's shaded tent sites help mitigate the Florida heat.
Pool facilities: Southern Comfort RV Resort offers swimming options as part of their amenities. "There is a bar/Tiki Hut on premise and a big swimming pool open year round," mentions Thom T. The park accommodates over 150 sites and fills quickly during winter months with seasonal visitors.
What you should know
Site spacing varies significantly: Campgrounds near Miami often feature closely positioned sites. At Kings Kamp, "To say these sites are tight is an understatement. You're practically touching your neighbors," reports Chad. Meanwhile, Larry & Penny Thompson Park offers more space, with "RVs assigned space around several pods. Each pod has its own bathhouse with laundry facilities."
Wildlife management required: Local wildlife may require visitor vigilance. "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," shares Finn H. about Larry & Penny Thompson Park.
Seasonal rate fluctuations: Encore Miami Everglades prices vary by season and reservation length. "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," explains rob K. The resort serves as a convenient starting point for exploring both the Everglades and the Florida Keys.
Tips for camping with families
Choose cabin accommodations with amenities: Some parks offer cabin rentals ideal for families seeking more structure. "We had a nice experience at John Pennekamp. There is so much to do we biked to nearly everything including nearby restaurants, we hung at the beach, kayaked and did trail walks with the dog," shares Maria E.
Consider noise levels when selecting sites: Some campgrounds experience significant noise issues. At Kings Kamp RV Park, "tenting is by the highway and under lights. Very noisy and bright for sleeping," warns Maryellen. Select interior sites when possible to minimize highway noise impact.
Check pool operating schedules: Family-friendly water features operate on varied schedules. At Encore Miami Everglades, "It's a huge pool but they only let 20 in at a time," reports Nancy. Always verify pool hours and capacity restrictions before promising swimming activities to children.
Tips from RVers
Length restrictions matter: Many Miami area campgrounds have tight turns and limited space. At John Pennekamp, "the roads are very narrow that we could barely get our 5th wheel in," shares Robin M. Always call ahead to confirm your specific RV length can be accommodated.
Utility connections vary widely: Hookup placement and availability differs between properties. At Yacht Haven Park & Marina, one RVer noted they "were unable to hook up to sewer, and had to run our electric cable and water hose under the camper." Bring extension cords and hoses to account for potentially awkward utility placements.
Security considerations: Some campgrounds experience theft issues. At Larry & Penny Thompson Park, a camper reported their "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." Always secure valuables and inquire about security measures when booking cabin or RV sites.
