Looking for a getaway in paradise? Look no further than the Florida Keys! Located just 15 miles south of Miami, the Keys are a chain of over 100 islands that offer the perfect opportunity for sport fishing, kayaking, scuba diving, snorkeling, and a number of other water-based activities. The plant and animal life here is just incredible, and the views are even better. The best part? There are plenty of Florida Keys RV parks, making this the ideal place for RV camping.
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The Best RV Parks in The Florida Keys
Now that you know why RVing in the Florida Keys is so great, it’s time to think about where you will stay during your visit. Fortunately, there are tons of options to choose from—so many, in fact, that you might get overwhelmed trying to narrow your options down. That’s where this article comes into play.
Below, we’ve listed the top 9 Florida Keys RV parks. Pick and choose from this list, and you really can’t go wrong!
Bahia Honda State Park (Big Pine Key)
One of the most popular RV camping spots in the Keys, Bahia Honda State Park is a seriously beautiful place to stay. The park offers waterfront sites with electricity and water, so you can stay comfortably and enjoy the view from your window. A dump station and bathhouses with showers are available, and pets are allowed.
Boyd’s Key West Campground (Key West)
Want to stay near the fun and excitement of Key West? Boyd’s Key West Campground might be the place for you.
This awesome RV park features waterfront sites, a pool, a tiki hut, a marina, and an onsite store. Every site has Wi-Fi, water, and electricity, and most sites include full hookups.
This campground also offers shuttle service into downtown Key West, making getting around a cinch.
Bluewater Key RV Resort (Key West)
Another Key West campground, Bluewater Key RV Resort is one of our favorite Florida Keys RV parks thanks to its gorgeous luxury full-hookup sites that offer an incredible amount of privacy. We also love that private docks are available in this RV park. Other amenities include a dog park, a heated pool, tiki huts, scheduled activities, and more!
Fiesta Key RV Resort & Marina (Long Key)
Fiesta Key is an exciting RV park located on Long Key. This place offers full-hookup sites, a beautiful pool (with a baby pool) that overlooks the ocean, and a hot tub. The onsite marina and water sports rentals are perfect for those who like to get out on the water, and the onsite restaurant and bar mean you never have to cook during your vacation.
Jolly Roger RV Resort (Marathon)
Located in the relatively big town of Marathon, we appreciate that Jolly Roger RV Resort gives you easy access to groceries, restaurants, and other necessities. The campground features spacious sites, a pool, a boat ramp, and a dog park. This is the perfect family-friendly park, and the laid-back atmosphere is ideal for those looking to relax.
Curry Hammock State Park (Marathon)
Another amazing state park camping option is Curry Hammock State Park. Like Jolly Roger RV Resort, this park is located in Marathon, which is very convenient. We love the spacious water and electric sites the park has to offer, as well as the bathhouses with showers.
This place is simply beautiful and is a great spot for nature lovers who enjoy bird watching, kiteboarding, kayaking, or hiking.
Sunshine Key RV Resort & Marina (Big Pine Key)
Another lovely resort is the Sunshine Key RV Resort and Marina. This place features the most adorable little beach where you can swim, play in the sand, or launch a kayak or paddle board. There is also a pool, a marina, a restaurant, and a whole host of other amazing amenities.
We love that fishing is available from the campground, and the large, full-hookup sites are lovely for relaxing in the evenings.
Grassy Key RV Park & Resort (Marathon)
Yet another resort in Marathon, Grassy Key RV Park and Resort is one of the best Florida Keys RV parks because it offers full-hookup sites, a private beach, a lovely pool, a boat ramp, and a fishing pier.
The park is on the smaller side—meaning a more intimate feel and quieter environment—and the staff is always friendly, welcoming, and happy to help in whatever way they can.
Long Key State Park (Long Key)
Finally, we must mention Long Key State Park. This is another gorgeous Florida state park, and if you’re looking for natural beauty, we promise you won’t be disappointed.
Waterfront sites mean you can take in the view all day long, and the hookups at each site and the bathhouses with showers help keep you comfortable even while enjoying nature. Kayaking, fishing, hiking, and bird watching are just some of the activities you can enjoy in this amazing park.
Things to Know about RVing in The Florida Keys
Next, let’s discuss some of the things you might want to know before you start packing the RV. Knowing these things will help make your time in whichever of the Florida Keys RV parks you choose a whole lot easier, so you can fully enjoy your vacation in Florida’s paradise.
When to Visit
Honestly, the Keys are a fun place to be all year round. That said, there are some things you should know about the weather and the atmosphere at various times of year that may sway your decision one way or another:
- Summer is hot and humid, but bearable as long as your RV has air conditioning. Because hurricane season begins partway through the summer, you should expect to see quite a bit of rain. That said, when the rain stops, the water is nice and warm for swimming and water sports. The atmosphere is exciting and full of life.
- Winter is warm, making the Keys a lovely escape from the dreary weather elsewhere in the country. The water is cooler though, and may be too cold for some. The vibe is laid-back, as most campers visiting during this time are snowbirds.
- Nearly all of the fall season is also hurricane season, so a lot of rain is to be expected. That said, the temperatures begin to drop during this time of year, so the weather is pretty perfect for beach days and days out on the water.
- Spring is our favorite time to visit the Keys. This is when the weather gets a bit warmer than in the winter but not as hot as summer, and by the end of spring the water is nice and warm. Spring is not yet hurricane season, so there isn’t as much rain.
Driving in The Florida Keys
Driving in the Florida Keys is…interesting, to say the least. One main road runs the entire length of the Keys, with lots of small branch-offs for things like private residences, local businesses, and RV resorts. This road goes down to a single lane at some points and is almost always backed up, especially near town areas. This means getting from one place to another often takes much longer than you might think. Make sure to allow for this.
Despite the regular traffic jams, you really shouldn’t have a problem driving an RV in the Keys. The roads are plenty wide enough for any rig, and there are some big parking lots where you can pull off fairly easily.
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Preparing for a Trip to The Keys
There are a few other things you will want to know before your trip. Do these things to prepare and you shouldn’t run into problems:
- Everything is more expensive in the Keys. Make sure to stock up on groceries and fill up on gas on the mainland before you head down.
- Pack water shoes, snorkeling gear, and anything else you might need to enjoy the water. These things are easy to find in the Keys, but are marked up.
- If you haven’t run it in a while, check your RV air conditioner to make sure it is good to go. You won’t want to be without it in the heat.
- Check your RV sealant and reseal anything that needs it. Because it rains often in the Keys, it is a good idea to arrive without any leaky spots.
- Florida Keys RV parks book up far in advance. Likewise, RV rentals in the Keys tend to book quickly. Make sure you book both well in advance!
What to Do in The Florida Keys
You’ve used the tips above to prepare for your trip and parked your rig in one of the fabulous Florida Keys RV parks we listed earlier. What do you do now?
There are lots of super cool things to do while spending time in the Keys. We highly recommend snorkeling at least once, and kayaking is an amazing way to get out on the water. Many people also enjoy fishing in the Keys and some RV parks offer places to fish without ever leaving the campground.
Besides these outdoor activities, we also recommend visiting some of the state parks and other attractions the islands have to offer. Here are our top picks.
Bahia Honda State Park
We mentioned Bahia Honda State Park as an option for a place to stay, but it’s also a great place for a day trip. We love going here to play on the beach or check out the little critters living in the sand and the water. You’ll also want to head over to the old bridge to watch the amazing sunset and listen to the staff blow conch shells to finish out the day.
Curry Hammock State Park
Curry Hammock State Park is another one that is great for camping or for day trips. Our favorite thing to do here is paddle. The tunnel trail takes you through a mangrove tunnel and is one of the best paddling trails in the Keys. When you finish paddling, spend some time soaking up the sun and playing in the water on the sandy beach.
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
Yet another wonderful state park, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is located in the northern section of the Keys and really is a must-do, even if that means making a special stop on the way down. Snorkeling is the thing to do here. There’s a shipwreck right off of the beach that provides excellent fish viewing, meaning you don’t even have to have a boat to see some cool stuff under the water.
History of Diving Museum
Want to learn a bit about snorkeling and diving in between snorkeling sessions? The History of Diving Museum is for you. A small but thorough museum, this place packs in tons of amazing old diving equipment that is super fun to look at. It also provides lots of great information on the history of diving, a subject that we never imagined could be so fascinating.
Sunset Grille & Raw Bar
If you’re looking for a great place to eat and have a great time, Sunset Grille & Raw Bar is the place. This restaurant features a large heated pool and a gorgeous ocean view that is perfect for watching the sunset. The pool and beautiful sunset views are 100% free with your meal or drinks, and if you visit during happy hour, you can snag some pretty good deals.
Southernmost Point of the US
Okay, really this is just a fun photo op, but it is worth seeing once in your life, so if you go to Key West, be sure to swing by the Southernmost Point to snap a quick picture. (Well, we say quick, but sometimes there’s a line of people waiting to do this, so that’s some extra time you should account for just in case.)
Truman Waterfront Park
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly and family-friendly thing to do in Key West, look no further than Truman Waterfront Park and the nearby Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center. The park offers a super fun playground and splash pad, and the eco-discovery center is a great place to learn all about the animals that call the Keys home. The best part? They are both free to visit.
Fort Zachary Taylor State Park
Another great spot to visit in Key West is Fort Zachary Taylor State Park. Here, you can explore an old fort and learn all about its history. Watch out for iguanas as you walk around, and don’t forget your swimsuit so you can enjoy some time on the beach, watching the cruise ships pass by.
Mallory Square
To finish out your budget-friendly time in Key West, head to Mallory Square. This place comes alive just before sunset. You’ll find all kinds of performers doing their thing, as well as several vendors. The main attraction, however, is the sunset, which is absolutely stunning from this spot.
Clearly, the Keys are an amazing place for an RV vacation. With such a huge selection of Florida Keys RV parks available and so many amazing things to see and do, we are confident you will be able to build an incredible Florida Keys vacation that suits you perfectly!
