If you’ve ever dreamed of falling asleep to ocean waves and waking up with the sunrise over clear blue water, then camping in the Florida Keys is perfect for you.
This stretch of islands has some of the most unforgettable campsites you’ll find anywhere, with beachfront views, swaying palms, and that island feel.
Whether you’re rolling in with your RV, pitching a tent, or booking a fancy waterfront site with a tiki hut, there’s a perfect spot waiting for you.
From kayaking through mangroves to snorkeling in coral reefs, these 11 camping spots aren’t just scenic, they’re full of adventure you’ll remember for years.
1. Boca Chita Key – Biscayne National Park
Good for boat-access camping and lighthouse views.
Boca Chita Key is a small island in Biscayne National Park, reachable only by boat and surrounded by bright turquoise waters.
Camping here is primitive, with no showers or electricity, but you’ll find picnic tables, grills, and a toilet.
Still, it’s super popular for its 65-foot-tall historic lighthouse, short walking trail, and incredible stargazing thanks to the dark skies.
You can also fish near the harbor, explore the small beach, or just kick back and watch the waves roll in.
2. Elliott Key – Biscayne National Park
Good for boating, hiking, and basic camping.
If you’re up for something a little wilder, Elliott Key is the largest island in Biscayne National Park and feels like a remote tropical escape.
Its campground is also boat-in-only, though it’s more equipped than Boca Chita, offering cold showers, drinking water, restrooms, picnic tables, and grills.
Once you’re settled in, you can hit the Spite Highway route that runs down the center of the island or wade into the shallow waters.
It’s quiet, uncrowded, and completely peaceful, making it the ideal spot to camp among palm trees, sea breezes, and zero distractions.
3. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park – Key Largo
Good for snorkeling, diving, and RV camping.
Ready for something a little easier to reach?
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo is just off Highway 1 and is perfect if you want to camp in your RV while staying close to the ocean.
It’s a comfortable setup, with 47 campsites that include water and electric hookups, restrooms, hot showers, and even a visitor center with nature exhibits.
But what makes this place truly special is the underwater action, from snorkeling or diving at the Christ of the Abyss statue to joining glass-bottom boat tours.
4. Keys Palms RV Resort – Key Largo
Good for upscale RV stays and scenic waterfront.
For a camping spot with a touch of luxury, Keys Palms RV Resort in Key Largo brings comfort without losing the laid-back feel.
This waterfront RV resort has full hookups, a heated pool, a private beach, laundry, Wi-Fi, and spotless bathhouses that could pass for a hotel’s.
And when you’re not enjoying the amenities, you can watch the sunset over the bay, try fishing from the shore, or sit back and enjoy the ocean view.
It’s small, quiet, and super clean, ideal if you want the easy pace of the Keys without giving up AC and hot showers.
5. Long Key State Park – Long Key
Good for beachfront camping and kayaking.
Next up is Long Key State Park, the spot for unbeatable ocean views from your tent.
Most campsites here face the water, so you can drift off to the sound of the waves and wake up to a sunrise that looks like a postcard.
It’s also a great place to paddle, with easy kayak access to calm, shallow waters ideal for exploring the mangroves.
The rest of the time, it’s all about peace and sea breeze, with quiet shores, open skies, and that simple, toes-in-the-sand kind of camping.
6. Curry Hammock State Park – Marathon
Good for waterfront sites and birdwatching.
Just down the road in Marathon, Curry Hammock State Park is a total gem for campers who love staying active and being right on the water.
There are 28 campsites with electric and water hookups, clean restrooms, hot showers, and picnic tables shaded by palm trees.
It’s also a haven for birdwatching, with hawks, ospreys, and shorebirds over the mangroves, and it’s equally great for kayaking and kiteboarding.
For another way to take in the scenery, hop on the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail from the park and bike along ocean views all day.
7. Bahia Honda State Park – Big Pine Key
Good for beaches, sunsets, and ocean views.
Then there’s Bahia Honda State Park on Big Pine Key, and it’s every bit as dreamy as you’ve heard.
It features three campgrounds: Buttonwood for RVs, Bayside for tents, and Sandspur for that tucked-away feeling, all with access to the park’s famous beaches.
You’ll find restrooms, showers, picnic areas, and boat ramps, plus the iconic Old Bahia Honda Rail Bridge for amazing photo ops and sunset views.
And when you’re ready to get in the water, snorkeling tours head out daily to Looe Key Reef, where you might spot sea turtles and colorful fish.
8. Sugarloaf Key / Key West KOA Resort – Sugarloaf Key
Good for families and full amenities.
If you want all the fun of Key West without the downtown crowds, Sugarloaf Key / Key West KOA Resort is your sweet spot.
This waterfront campground includes RV and tent sites, deluxe cabins, a pool, hot tub, bar, boat ramp, kayak rentals, and private beach.
It’s a super family-friendly place too, with planned activities for all ages, indoor and outdoor recreation, and even a shuttle service into downtown.
You still get that tropical Keys charm, but with all the modern touches that make camping feel easy.
9. Bluewater Key RV Resort – Key West
Good for luxury RV sites and docks.
Just when you think camping can’t get any fancier, Bluewater Key RV Resort in Key West takes it to a whole new level.
Each site here is privately owned and totally decked out, with tiki huts, outdoor kitchens, waterfront docks, and lush landscaping.
There’s also a temperature-controlled pool, boat launch, high-speed Wi-Fi, and private canals where you can paddle or fish.
It’s quiet and upscale, perfect for enjoying the beauty of the Keys without the bustle of downtown.
10. Geiger Key Marina, RV Park & Fish Camp – Geiger Key
Good for fishing and laid-back camping.
Are you into the low-key, old-school side of the Florida Keys? Geiger Key Marina, RV Park & Fish Camp is the real deal.
This waterfront campground offers full-hookup RV sites along the shore, a relaxed setting, and an on-site tiki bar/restaurant.
It’s also known for great fishing, with boat ramps, dock access, and kayak rentals for getting out on the water.
Despite being only 17 minutes away from Key West, it feels like a small slice of the Keys that locals love to call their own.
11. Boyd’s Key West Campground – Key West
Good for camping near lively Key West.
Last but not least, Boyd’s Key West Campground puts you just 13 minutes from Duval Street, so you’re close to the action without being in the middle of it.
This lively waterfront spot has RV and tent sites, a heated pool, laundry, a camp store, and even a little beach area for soaking up the sun.
When you’re ready for some fun, take a kayak or paddleboard out on the water, then head downtown to keep the day going.
It’s welcoming and packed with personality, making it the perfect basecamp for exploring Key West while still enjoying a classic camping experience.
Related Posts
