Best Campgrounds near South Miami, FL

Camping options around South Miami, Florida range from established campgrounds to RV resorts, with several facilities located within a 30-minute drive of the metropolitan area. Larry & Penny Thompson Park offers tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin accommodations just south of the city, while Encore Miami Everglades provides similar mixed-use camping areas approximately 15 miles southwest. The L-31 Boat Ramp area represents one of the few dispersed camping zones in this predominantly developed region. Most campgrounds in the area feature paved access roads and level sites suitable for various camping styles.

The subtropical climate significantly influences camping conditions, with winter (November through April) being the optimal season for comfortable temperatures and reduced mosquito activity. Summer months bring intense heat, humidity, and frequent afternoon thunderstorms that can affect camping experiences. Many established campgrounds in the region provide water and electric hookups to mitigate the challenging summer conditions. Cell service varies by carrier, with Verizon typically offering better coverage than AT&T throughout the area. Facilities like showers and restrooms are generally well-maintained at the developed sites. As one camper noted about Long Pine Key Campground in nearby Everglades National Park, "This place was spotless and perfectly managed. We expected far less than we got. Every site was manicured and clean which added to an already picturesque setting."

Proximity to natural attractions represents a key advantage for campers in the South Miami area. Several campgrounds serve as convenient baselines for exploring Everglades National Park, Biscayne National Park, and the Florida Keys. The region's flat terrain provides easy access for all camping styles but limits privacy between campsites at most established campgrounds. A visitor to Larry & Penny Thompson Park mentioned, "At $17/night for a tent site, we got wifi, access to laundry, great showers, and a perfectly adequate site." Road noise can be an issue at some locations, particularly those near highways or train tracks. Campgrounds with water features tend to receive higher ratings, with several offering lake views or access to canals and waterways for fishing and paddling activities.

Best Camping Sites Near South Miami, Florida (66)

    1. Larry & Penny Thompson Park

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

    "In southern Florida, campgrounds don’t usually come cheap, but we found Larry & Penny’s to be a great value with close access (30 minutes) to Biscayne National Park."

    "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. "

    2. Encore Miami Everglades

    17 Reviews
    Cutler Bay, FL
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "This place is situated in the mirror middle of acres upon acres of ornamental trees and shrubs for sale by various companies."

    "They have a really nice big pool, shuffleboard, putt putt golf, arcade and walking trail. It's off the beaten path but worth the drive. The front office staff was so helpful."

    4. C.B. Smith Park Campground

    9 Reviews
    Miramar, FL
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (954) 357-5170

    "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."

    5. Davie / Fort Lauderdale KOA

    18 Reviews
    Davie, FL
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (954) 473-0231

    "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!"

    6. Long Pine Key Campground — Everglades National Park

    33 Reviews
    Florida City, FL
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (855) 708-2207

    "The agent said she couldn’t look up which spots were available for the time frame we wanted, but we could drive around and find a few spots we wanted and then she could look it up. "

    "Although in the northern end of the park, it's a great location to camp. Stayed in Site #70, which backs up to the lake with easy access to the trails and facilities. Quiet location."

    7. Boca Chita Key — Biscayne National Park

    2 Reviews
    Cutler Bay, FL
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (305) 230-1144

    $25 - $35 / night

    "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."

    8. Topeekeegee Yugnee Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    Hollywood, FL
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (954) 357-8811

    $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. "

    10. Southern Comfort RV Resort

    8 Reviews
    Florida City, FL
    21 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."

    "Close to the Keys, Everglades, Bkscayne and shopping. Staff was helpful. I will go back."

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Recent Reviews near South Miami, FL

301 Reviews of 66 South Miami Campgrounds


  • Jenny E.
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Encore Miami Everglades

    ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING!!

    The water tested positive for fecal indicator e coli on August 1st & they failed to notify campers until 48 hours later!!! My kids brushed their teeth with that water!! 🤮 I had been visiting for 3 years & it’s only gotten worse. What a waste on renovations. And I’ve only heard complaints about the staff on site. They should invest on better property management & some activities for the campers. This place honestly sucks considering it’s Miami!!

  • Tom M.
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Encore Miami Everglades

    Terrible

    Our stay at Encore Miami Campground was unfortunately impacted by a serious and unannounced issue. We were only informed upon arrival that the campground's well water contained fecal matter and was a potential source of E. coli. This failure to provide a safety warning ahead of time was irresponsible. It meant we had to hook up to a contaminated water source, which then required us to undertake a costly and time-consuming process of disinfecting our motorhome's water system after we left. This experience was both a health concern and a major inconvenience.

  • Darren F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 7, 2025

    Topeekeegee Yugnee Park Campground

    Great Park

    Clean park friendly staff. Great amenities. There are not many downsides two that I want to discuss. The campground does sit next to a train track i believe its a commuter line so there is an early train 4am which is startling. Other downside is park closes at 8, you can still enter through the exit gate until midnight and then have to call security to get in/out.

  • Luis V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 6, 2025

    Markham Park Campground

    A Great Stay at Markham Park!

    I stayed at Markham Park on July 28 and had a wonderful experience. The campground is well-maintained, peaceful, and offers plenty of space between sites, giving a nice sense of privacy. The park itself is beautiful, with lots of shaded areas, clean facilities, and easy access to nature trails, bike paths, and water activities.

    What I loved most was how much there is to do right on site—whether you enjoy kayaking, fishing, mountain biking, or just relaxing by your campsite, this park has it all. The staff was friendly and helpful, and check-in was quick and easy.

    Overall, Markham Park is a perfect spot for a quick getaway or a longer camping trip. I’ll definitely be coming back!

  • L
    Aug. 5, 2025

    Grice's RV Park

    Very noisy campground no facilities

    Not worth staying here very close to very noisy road . No facilities. No pool. WiFi very weak. No park nearby

  • Denis P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 17, 2025

    John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Campground

    Functional RV Campground, Great Starlink Signal, Good for a Quick Stop

    We stayed one night in June with a tent - and that felt just right. This is a large, RV-oriented campground where sites come with water and power, even if you're pitching canvas rather than parking chrome.

    Privacy is minimal - the spaces are close, separated by the occasional brave shrub or decorative palm. Restrooms and showers work, but very much in the mist of centuries past. Be prepared to walk, and leave expectations of modern sparkle at the gate.

    The mosquitoes were determined, but so were we (some sprays do help). The ranger at check-in was warm, helpful, and probably the best-maintained part of the place.

    Our Starlink connection was excellent — wide open sky and solid signal made remote work completely doable.

    Not a hidden gem, but for a one-night stop, it did the job.


Guide to South Miami

South Miami sits at the northern edge of Everglades National Park, with most camping areas sitting less than 20 feet above sea level. The region's low elevation contributes to seasonal flooding in dispersed camping areas, particularly during the rainy summer months. Winter camping can book up 3-6 months in advance at established campgrounds, particularly from December through March.

What to do

Kayaking and wildlife viewing: At Long Pine Key Campground, visitors have multiple paddling options on nearby waterways. "My wife and I spent 4 days at Long Pine Key Campground in December. The weather was great. Plenty to see and do in the Everglades National Park (hiking, kayaking, cycling, bird watching, etc)," notes Kevin A.

Mini-golf and swimming: Family activities abound at Encore Miami Everglades with recreational options on-site. "They have a really nice big pool, shuffleboard, putt putt golf, arcade and walking trail. It's off the beaten path but worth the drive," shares Jennifer A.

Boat access camping: For those with watercraft, Boca Chita Key offers a unique camping experience with limited facilities. "This small island in Biscayne National Park offers a distant view of the Miami skyline, gorgeous aqua water for swimming, snorkeling, boating and fishing. A small lighthouse stands above the protected harbor," reports Jean C.

What campers like

Clean facilities: Campers consistently praise the cleanliness of Larry & Penny Thompson Park. "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," writes Tod H.

Budget-friendly options: Some of the best places to camp near South Miami offer good value despite the generally high cost of Florida camping. "Tent sites in open field setup with trees. I'm a tent camper and loved this area. Overall great value with a swimming pool and washer/dryers. Grounds mostly quiet with expected weekenders," explains Anjuli W. about Larry & Penny Thompson Park.

Park amenities: Many campers appreciate additional recreational features at Topeekeegee Yugnee Park. "The sites were level concrete pads, bathrooms air conditioned and clean as were the showers. Park is beautiful and they have events happening - we stumbled on a Renaissance Festival," shares Bernadette P.

What you should know

Security concerns: Some campgrounds in the Miami area have reported theft issues. At Larry & Penny Thompson Park, one camper warned: "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!"

Tent camping restrictions: Some parks limit tent camping duration. "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," noted sandra R. at Larry & Penny Thompson Park.

Water quality issues: Occasionally campgrounds experience water system problems. At Southern Comfort RV Resort, they offer basic amenities but sometimes struggle with maintenance. "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," reports rob K.

Tips for camping with families

Tent sites with shade: For family tent camping near South Miami, choose sites with tree cover. "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," explains Tod H. about Larry & Penny Thompson Park.

Wildlife education: Prepare kids for wildlife encounters. "There are gators everywhere, as you can see in the pictures, video. Also, this is a habitat for the Florida Panther. So bring a friend! and make your presence known, you don't want to startle any of these big beasts," warns dan N. about camping at Long Pine Key.

Swimming options: Many campgrounds offer swimming facilities during the hot months. "Myself, my husband, and our 2 year old son recently started camping as a family. We originally chose Miami Everglades RV Resort as a site to test our new equipment. It is close to home, so we figured if something went wrong, we'd just pack up and come home," shares Aly E.

Tips from RVers

Site selection: Choose RV sites carefully at Topeekeegee Yugnee Park. "The sites were level concrete pads. We were pleasantly surprised by this park. Bathrooms air conditioned and clean as were the showers," says Bernadette P.

Noise considerations: Some of the best places to camp near South Miami have train tracks or highways nearby. "Great park friendly staff. Great amenities. There are not many downsides two that I want to discuss. The campground does sit next to a train track i believe its a commuter line so there is an early train 4am which is startling," notes Darren F.

Utility reliability: Water and electric service can be inconsistent at some parks. "On several occasions our water went out (in the middle of a shower and another time during dinner prep, and yet again while doing laundry!) Cable also went out several times. WiFi very expensive and even the guest hotspot at the club house was spotty at best," warns Nancy about Encore Miami Everglades.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near South Miami, FL?

According to TheDyrt.com, South Miami, FL offers a wide range of camping options, with 66 campgrounds and RV parks near South Miami, FL and 1 free dispersed camping spot.

Which is the most popular campground near South Miami, FL?

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

Where can I find free dispersed camping near South Miami, FL?

According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near South Miami, FL.