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Best Florida keys beachfront RV parks

Best Florida Keys Beachfront RV Parks

Published on February 11th, 2022
Updated on February 17th, 2024

Are you ready to transform your RV adventure into an unforgettable journey through the Florida Keys?

Imagine basking in unparalleled weather, soaking in breathtaking views, and immersing yourself in experiences unique to the southernmost stretch of the US.

This comprehensive guide is your ticket to exploring the crème de la crème of beachfront RV parks and campgrounds scattered across the Keys.

With insights on pricing, amenities, and what awaits you, we cover everything from the vibrant shores of Key Largo to the laid-back vibes of Key West so you can map out an epic adventure.

Things RVers Should Know About the Florida Keys

If this is your first RV visit to the Keys, you need to know:

  • The best time for a trip is December through March, when temperatures are more moderate and the threat of hurricanes is over. Snowbirds love this time of year, so booking a campsite may be difficult unless you reserve a spot well in advance.
  • June through November is the official hurricane season. For RV travel, keep in mind that the most risk of canceled plans or island evacuation will be August-October. Thankfully, weather forecasts give you plenty of warning of potentially dangerous storms forming off the coast so that you can alter plans.
  • Most Florida Key beaches are rocky, with summer months bringing seaweed in on the tides. While many beaches have sand, there are plenty of large coral chunks and rocks in and out of the water. Many RV parks will have a rocky seawall, with ramps to launch watercraft or to enter for swimming. You will not find miles of walkable shoreline as you do elsewhere in Florida.
  • The Keys will be expensive but are worth a visit, even if you drive for day trips from an RV park on another key. (Motorhome owners should consider bringing a toad or using a ride-share app to get around.)
  • Key West during Fantasy Fest in October may not be your cup of tea. My first visit to Key West happened to fall during part of Fantasy Fest, which I had never heard of. While I had an absolute blast, if you have issues with partial or even full nudity, you may want to avoid this ten-day festival that starts tame and ends up a huge party where just about anything goes.
  • Key West is known as the Conch Republic, and conch fritters are a common menu item in restaurants in all the keys. The correct way to pronounce conch is “conk.”

Best Florida Keys RV Parks and Campgrounds on the Beach

A Florida keys RV park

Up next are the best RV parks and campgrounds on each of the Keys, so you can choose a single vacation destination or visit several to learn more about this multi-island community.

These Florida Key RV parks are a water lover’s paradise for boating, fishing, swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, and more with direct ocean access.

Best Key Largo RV Parks and Campgrounds

Key Largo is the first island after leaving Homestead, Florida, and crossing the Keys’ causeway.

You’ll find tons of attractions, restaurants, and shops along with nature trails and the Coral Reef State Park, which is part of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

Location102601 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL
Open for CampingYear-round
RV Sites Available47 FHU
Nightly Rate$36 (plus $7 nightly utility fee & $6.70 one-time reservation fee)

Amenities:

  • Restrooms and hot showers
  • Campsite picnic table
  • Boat ramp and kayak launch
  • Concession
  • Visitor Center with gift shop
  • Recreation trails
  • Swimming beach
  • Kayak, Canoe, SUP, and snorkeling gear rental
  • Picnic areas
  • Laundry

The John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park offers RV camping within the natural tropical landscape.

The campsites are level but close together, which may make parking big rigs challenging. The main park is open daily and can get quite crowded in the high season.

Pennekamp has the first underwater park in the US and is the place to book if snorkeling and scuba diving are favorite hobbies. You can explore over 50 miles of waterways that meander through the mangrove forests within the park or hang out at the beach area to swim and sun.

Do be ready to experience no-see-ums and a sulfur-like smell from the wet vegetation in the swampy areas of the park. The bugs are more of a problem in the summer months, and the odor is more noticeable during low tide.

Pennekamp State Park Campground Tour (Video)

Keys Palms RV Resort

Location104200 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL
Open for CampingYear-round
RV Sites Available139 electric/water
Nightly Rate$125 – $195

Amenities:

  • Bathhouses
  • Clubhouse
  • Boat marina
  • Fitness center
  • Store/gift shop
  • Laundry
  • Sandy beach
  • Heated pool and spa
  • Wi-Fi
  • Dog Park

Keys Palms RV Resort sits on the shores of Florida Bay and is a great option when you want a spacious campsite and a place to dock your boat, as they offer a private marina and limited boat trailer parking for guests.

These luxury RV park campsites are level, hard-packed gravel, and most have tall, neatly trimmed hedges that create a natural privacy barrier between you and your neighbor. They offer five ocean-view campsites with amazing views, especially at sunset.

From the large pool overlooking the ocean to the kayak launch and small beach area, you’ll feel like you’re in paradise. The smaller park size means you’ll never feel crowded using the facilities, and the location is ideal for quick access to shopping and restaurants.

Do note that while the Keys Palms has a marina ($35-$65 nightly for a slip), they do not have a boat launch on-site. The park also does not allow any pop-up campers or firepits.

Key Palms RV Resort Key largo (Video)

Best Islamorada RV Park

Islamorada consists of Plantation Key, Windley Key, Upper Matecumbe Key, Lower Matecumbe Key, and two boat-only-accessible islands of Indian Key and Lignumvitae Key.

Islamorada is known for its eco-tours, tennis facilities, hiking trails through historic land, bicycle trails, charter fishing, and views of the Atlantic Ocean and Florida Bay.

Centrally located amongst the chain of Key islands, Islamorada is an excellent place to stay for total Florida Key exploration during your RV trip.

Fiesta Key RV Resort & Marina on Long Key

Location70001 Overseas Hwy, Long Key, FL
Open for CampingYear-round
RV Sites Available173 FHU
Nightly Rate$150 – $220

Amenities:

  • Bathhouses
  • Pool and hot tubs
  • Private marina with gas
  • Restaurant
  • Store/gift shop
  • Propane
  • Laundry
  • Beach area with bar
  • Fish cleaning station
  • Wi-Fi in clubhouse
  • Horseshoes/Basketball/Volleyball
  • Dog-walk

Just south of Islamorada on its own tiny island is Fiesta Key RV Resort and Marina, which edges the Gulf of Mexico and offers many waterfront RV sites to fully enjoy the views, which often include dolphin and manatee sightings.

This is an Encore Thousand Trails resort with an ocean-front pool and a convenient launch for kayaks. In addition, you can rent a slip in the marina if you tow down or rent a boat.

Campsites are crushed gravel and are set throughout this park’s 28 acres. The staff keeps the lush tropical landscaping neat, and being surrounded by water ensures wonderfully refreshing breezes.

Please note that the onsite restaurant is delicious, but the prices are a bit steep, even for standard fare like burgers.

Fiesta Key RV Resort in the Florida Keys (Video)

Best Marathon RV Parks and Campgrounds

Marathon includes Boot, Hog, Knights, Stiffup, Vaca, Crawl, Little Crawl, East and West Sister’s Island, Deer, Fat Deer, Long Pine, and Grassy Keys.

Centrally located in the string of keys, Marathon is known to be very family-friendly and a great place to take in a round of golf if you want to take a break from all the water-related activities.

Curry Hammock State Park

Location56200 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL
Open for CampingYear-round
RV Sites Available139 electric/water
Nightly Rate$38 (plus $7 nightly utility fee & $6.70 one-time reservation fee)

Amenities:

  • Restrooms and hot showers
  • Campsite charcoal grill, hammock posts, and picnic table
  • Boat ramp and kayak launch
  • Ranger-led tours and programs
  • Sandy beach
  • Dump station
  • Kayak and SUP rentals
  • Playground near the picnic area
  • Biking/hiking trails

Curry Hammock State Park is the campground for you if you love peaceful watersports like kayaking, snorkeling, and swimming. With 1,200 feet of beachfront on the Atlantic Ocean, you can explore the deep water or the mangrove swamps.

Some RV campsites have an ocean view, and it’s best to book them the 11 months in advance the park allows. All RV camps are on crushed shells, with dense foliage between guests for a nice amount of privacy.

The park connects to the Overseas Heritage Trail, a 90-mile paved stretch of multi-use trail that runs from Key Largo to Key West.

While no fires are allowed within the campground, the park has a communal fire pit at the west end of the beach for guests to use. In addition, you cannot launch any power or motorized boats from the park, and pets are not allowed in the water, on the beach, or in the bathhouses.

Curry Hammock State Park Tour and Review (Video)

Jolly Roger RV Resort

Location59275 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL
Open for CampingYear-round
RV Sites Available168 FHU with cable
Nightly Rate$80 – $120

Amenities:

  • Heated/chilled pool
  • Office/store/gift shop
  • White sand Tiki Island
  • Boat ramp and slip rental
  • Fish cleaning station
  • Restrooms and hot showers
  • Laundry
  • Clubhouse
  • Dock and seawall for fishing, plus snorkeling/swimming area
  • Dog park
  • Hi-speed Wi-Fi

The Jolly Roger RV Resort is a gem of a place, offering campsites with trees spread over 11 acres.

The campsites are roomy, with grass parking pads and cement patios with a picnic table. You can bring along your boat, jet skis, or electric golf cart as long as you register it at the office upon arrival.

Guests flock to the shoreline each evening to watch the incredible sunsets, with plenty of beach chairs and a walkway along the seawall to look for fish or sea creatures.

On the downside, the sandy beach is separated from the water by a sea wall made of jagged rocks, which can be dangerous to climb over, while the swimming area is off the manufactured seawall and will require a walk to take a dip.

Jolly Roger RV Resort Review (Video)

Best Big Pine Key RV Parks and Campgrounds

Big Pine Key and the Lower Keys strive to keep the native flora and fauna protected, which gives these islands the nickname of the Natural Keys.

RVing to this destination will mean immersive and peaceful activities like kayaking or snorkeling that bring you up close to the wildlife on land and in the ocean. Shallow water diving is top-notch at Looe Key coral formation.

Bahia Honda State Park

Location36850 Overseas Highway, Big Pine Key, FL
Open for CampingYear-round
RV Sites Available48 electric/water – 8 dry camping (RV size restrictions)
Nightly Rate$36 (plus $6.70 one-time reservation fee)

Amenities:

  • Bathhouses
  • Campsite grill/picnic table
  • Boat ramp and kayak launch
  • Restaurant/Concession with rentals
  • Laundry
  • Beach access
  • Dump station
  • Nature trail

Bahia Honda State Park is still recovering from the last hurricane, and parts of their camping areas are closed, but the Buttonwood campground is open for RVers.

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The park is famous for sandy beaches, warm ocean breezes, and crystal-clear water, ideal for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, or kayaking.

Campsites in the Buttonwood campground can accommodate large RVs, and if you want a waterfront location, select sites 12-25 and enjoy the views—book 11 months in advance of your trip to get the best selection.

This park is ideal for kayakers, who can launch from the Loggerhead parking lot on the Atlantic Ocean side or the boat ramp if you want to explore the Gulf waters. There’s also a nature trail, and Calusa (Florida Bay) and Loggerhead (Atlantic) beaches are open for guests.

Please note that if you don’t mind primitive camping and you own a smaller teardrop camper or travel trailer, Bayside Campground has sites 73-80 open for dry camping, along with a restroom. However, you must have a recreational vehicle shorter than 6’8″ as the new Bahia Honda Bridge has very low overhead clearance, and you’ll need to travel the half-mile over to Buttonwood Campground for a hot shower.

Bahia Honda State Park (Video)

Big Pine Key Resort

Location33000 Overseas Highway, Big Pine Key, FL
Open for CampingYear-round
RV Sites Available97 FHU/72 Rustic
Nightly Rate$130 – $180 FHU/$70 – $95 Rustic

Amenities:

  • Bathhouses
  • Heated pool
  • Store/gift shop
  • Laundry
  • Beach area and playground
  • Wi-Fi
  • Rec room
  • Fish cleaning station
  • Boat ramp and docks
  • Observation deck

Big Pine Key Resort (formerly Big Pine Key Fishing Lodge) is the place for RV families to enjoy its ten acres with a shoreline on the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean.

The campsites are on crushed shells and have a tree or two, but there is no grassy area or other buffers between guests. However, you can book a waterfront RV site for incredible views and ocean breezes.

If you don’t mind dry camping, the park offers rustic sites with no amenities other than a picnic table. Please note that dogs and generators are not allowed in the dry camping section.

Big Pine Key Fishing Lodge and RV Resort (Video)

Best Key West RV Campground

Key West is the southernmost land in the US. The island is full of small, colorful homes that were once homes of 19th-century cigar workers.

The famous wild chickens roam free, and Mallory Square is the hub for shopping, food, drinks, and sunsets while being entertained by unique locals who perform music, juggling, fire-eating, and more.

Key West is full of shops and galleries that sell everything from funky coastal souvenirs to fine art. Bars and restaurants line the streets, so you’re never far from a drink or bite to eat.

Boyd’s Key West Campground

Location6401 Maloney Avenue, Key West, FL
Open for CampingYear-round
RV Sites Available203 FHU/28 water/electric
Nightly Rate$115 – $205

Amenities:

  • Bathhouses
  • Tiki hut with TV
  • Boat ramp and docks
  • Fish cleaning station
  • Office/ATM
  • Laundry
  • Beach area
  • Heated pool
  • Game room
  • Dog walk

Boyd’s Key West Campground always delivers a clean, friendly, well-appointed RV campsite along with an amazingly peaceful location along the water’s edge. This RV park gets the best reviews year after year, so book early to snag a spot.

Campsites have gravel parking pads and cement patios, with foliage or fencing between guests for added privacy. If you tow or rent a boat, a dockside campsite is what you want.

Taking part in fishing, scuba diving, swimming, snorkeling, boating, shopping, eating, and sightseeing are all available in the park or within minutes outside the park. Duvall Street is 15 minutes away, with a convenient bus stop just outside the park gate if you want to bypass the hassle of driving and parking.

RVers also find the rates reasonable for Key West camping, especially with the proximity to all the food, shops, entertainment, and activities you could want during your trip.

Boyd’s Campground Key West RV Park Review (Video)

Final Thoughts

Key West offers an array of RV parks and campgrounds, but the ones above put the water and beach at your doorstep for the ultimate camping experience.

Give the best Florida Key RV camping locations a look, and book now to enjoy a truly unique travel adventure!

If you want to explore different places in Florida, please look at our best Gulf Coast, East Coast, or Gulf Coast RV campgrounds guide.

QUOTE:
"Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore."
-- Andre Gide

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