12 Gorgeous Places for Beach Camping Across the Florida Keys
The Florida Keys offer some of the most stunning waterfront camping in the entire state, with opportunities to pitch your tent or park your RV just steps from turquoise water and swaying palms. From primitive island camping that feels like a true escape to developed campgrounds with full hookups and marina access, the Keys deliver a range of experiences that all share one thing in common: incredible ocean views. Whether you’re planning a laid-back weekend or a longer adventure exploring the island chain, these 12 spots represent the best places to sleep under the stars with sand and saltwater close by.
1. Bahia Honda State Park
Bahia Honda consistently ranks as one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Florida, and camping here puts you right in the middle of that postcard scenery. The park sits on a small island in the Lower Keys, about halfway between Marathon and Key West, with campsites that range from waterfront spots to shaded areas tucked back in the tropical vegetation.
You’ll find both tent and RV sites available, and while this isn’t primitive camping by any means, the setting more than makes up for the developed feel. The beach itself is what draws most people: soft sand, calm shallow water perfect for kids, and views that stretch forever across the Atlantic.
Snorkeling right off the beach is excellent, especially near the old Bahia Honda Rail Bridge. Kayaking, paddleboarding, and just floating around in the crystal-clear water are all popular ways to spend your days here. The sunsets from the campground are reliably stunning, and the park’s location makes it a great base for exploring both the Middle and Lower Keys without feeling too remote or too crowded.
2. Long Key State Park
Now, we can’t forget about Long Key State Park, which offers genuine tent-only camping with a real wilderness vibe. The park features hike-in campsites that sit right along the Atlantic, giving you an experience that feels more remote and adventurous than most other options in the island chain.
These aren’t drive-up spots, so you’ll need to pack your gear in, but the walk is short and totally manageable. Once you’re set up, you’ll have ocean breezes, the sound of waves, and a front-row seat to some of the best sunrise views anywhere in the Keys.
The park also has standard RV and tent sites if you prefer easier access, but the oceanfront hike-in sites are the real draw for anyone wanting a more authentic outdoor experience. Long Key sits in the Middle Keys between Islamorada and Marathon, making it convenient for day trips to either area. Fishing, kayaking through mangrove trails, and beachcombing are all popular activities.
It’s a quieter, less crowded alternative to some of the bigger state parks, which makes it perfect if you want to unplug and actually feel like you’re camping.
3. Curry Hammock State Park
Curry Hammock flies a bit under the radar compared to Bahia Honda or Pennekamp, but that’s part of its charm. Located in the Middle Keys near Marathon, this park offers a more low-key camping experience with excellent beach access and beautiful sunrise views over the Atlantic.
The campground accommodates both tents and RVs, with sites that are well-spaced and shaded by native trees and palms. It’s not as visually dramatic as some of the other parks, but the peaceful atmosphere and easy beach access make it a favorite for repeat visitors who appreciate a quieter setting.
The park’s beach is perfect for wading, swimming, and paddleboarding, especially if you’re traveling with younger kids. There are also nice nature trails that wind through mangrove forests and hammock habitats, giving you a chance to see native birds and maybe even spot a manatee in the shallows. Curry Hammock works well as a central base if you’re planning to explore both the Upper and Lower Keys without committing to one end or the other.
It’s close enough to Marathon for grocery runs and restaurants, but still feels like a true escape once you’re back at your campsite.
4. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
Famous as the first underwater park in the United States, John Pennekamp is still one of the best bases in the Upper Keys for anyone who wants easy access to world-class snorkeling and diving.
The campground offers both tent and RV sites set back in a shaded, tropical setting. You’re not camping directly on the beach, but you’re close enough to walk to the water and launch kayaks, paddleboards, or join one of the park’s popular glass-bottom boat tours or snorkel trips out to the reef.
The real appeal of camping at Pennekamp is the combination of convenience and adventure. You can wake up early, grab breakfast at your campsite, and be on a boat heading out to Christ of the Abyss or other famous reef sites by mid-morning. The park also has a nice swimming beach, nature trails, and a visitor center with exhibits about the reef ecosystem.
It’s a solid choice if you want a mix of camping and water-based activities without having to drive far each day. Key Largo’s restaurants and shops are just a short drive away, which makes resupplying or grabbing a meal out super easy.
5. Garden Key, Dry Tortugas National Park
Garden Key in the Dry Tortugas is hands-down the most epic camping experience on this list. This is primitive camping at its finest: you’ll need to take a ferry or seaplane from Key West to reach the island, and once you’re there, you’re 70 miles offshore with nothing but Fort Jefferson, incredible snorkeling, and some of the clearest water you’ll ever see.
There are no hookups, no showers, and very limited shade, so you’ll need to bring everything with you, including all your water and food. But the reward is an experience that feels like true castaway camping, with stargazing so good it’s almost surreal and snorkeling that rivals anywhere in the Caribbean.
You can explore the massive Civil War-era fort, walk the beaches, and basically have a national park mostly to yourself once the day-trippers leave on the afternoon ferry. The camping is first-come, first-served, and spots are limited, so plan ahead. This isn’t a casual weekend trip—it requires some planning and a bit of effort—but if you want a camping adventure that’s genuinely unforgettable, Garden Key delivers in every way possible.
6. Sugarloaf Key / Key West KOA Resort
The Key West KOA on Sugarloaf Key offers a more polished, resort-style take on Keys camping, with waterfront sites, full hookups, and a long list of amenities that make it perfect for families or anyone who wants a comfortable base close to Key West.
You’ll find tent sites, RV spots, and even air-conditioned cabins if you want to skip the tent altogether. The campground sits right on the water with a marina, pool, tiki bar, and organized activities that give it more of a vacation resort vibe than a rugged camping experience.
But that’s exactly the appeal for a lot of campers who want ocean views and easy access to Key West without sacrificing comfort. You’re only about 15 minutes from downtown Key West, which makes it easy to explore Duval Street, visit the Hemingway House, or catch a sunset celebration at Mallory Square, then return to your waterfront campsite for the night. Fishing, kayaking, and paddleboarding are all popular here, and the staff can help arrange boat rentals or local tours.
It’s a great option if you’re traveling with kids or want a mix of camping and sightseeing without roughing it too much.
7. Key Largo Kampground
Needless to say, Key Largo Kampground is a solid Upper Keys choice if you want camping with water views and easy access to all the reef trips, dive shops, and restaurants that make Key Largo such a popular destination.
The campground offers both tent and RV sites, with many spots right on the water or close enough to enjoy bay breezes and sunset views. It’s a well-maintained, family-friendly spot that attracts a mix of RVers and tent campers who appreciate the convenient location and waterfront setting.
You’ll have access to a boat ramp, fishing pier, and swimming area, plus the campground is just a short drive from John Pennekamp and other popular dive and snorkel operators. If you’re planning to spend a few days exploring the Upper Keys and want a comfortable, affordable base with water access, this is a great pick. The vibe is casual and friendly, with plenty of long-term campers who return year after year.
Key Largo’s restaurants and grocery stores are all nearby, so you’re never far from supplies or a good meal. It’s not the most remote or scenic option, but it checks all the boxes for convenience and value.
8. Boyd’s Key West Campground
Boyd’s is one of the most well-known campgrounds in the Key West area, and for good reason: it offers waterfront sites with direct ocean access and a location that’s close enough to downtown Key West to be convenient but far enough to feel like you’re not camping in the middle of the city.
The campground has a mix of tent and RV sites, with the waterfront spots being the most sought-after. You’ll have access to a boat ramp, fishing pier, and swimming area, plus the campground is right on the Atlantic, so you get great sunrise views and steady ocean breezes.
It’s a popular spot with both short-term visitors and long-term snowbirds, which gives it a lively, social atmosphere. The facilities are clean and well-maintained, and the staff is helpful with local tips and recommendations. You’re about 10 minutes from downtown Key West, making it easy to explore the island’s famous bars, restaurants, and attractions without dealing with the hassle and expense of staying in the city itself.
Boyd’s works well if you want a balance of camping and sightseeing, with the added bonus of being able to fish or kayak right from your campsite.
9. Fiesta Key RV Resort & Marina
Fiesta Key sits in the Upper Keys between Islamorada and Long Key, offering a resort-style waterfront camping experience that’s better suited for travelers who want amenities and organized activities than those seeking a rustic beach camping trip.
The resort has full-hookup RV sites, many of which are right on the water, plus a marina, multiple pools, tiki bars, and a packed schedule of events and entertainment. It’s more of a destination resort than a campground, but it still fits nicely into a Keys camping roundup if you’re looking for a more social, activity-filled stay.
You’ll find boat rentals, fishing charters, paddleboard and kayak rentals, and even organized group activities like bingo nights and live music. The waterfront setting is beautiful, with views across the Atlantic and easy access to swimming, snorkeling, and fishing right from the resort. Fiesta Key works especially well for families or groups who want a mix of camping and resort-style fun without leaving the property.
It’s also conveniently located for day trips to Islamorada, Key Largo, or Marathon, so you can explore the surrounding area while enjoying a comfortable, amenity-rich home base.
10. Sunshine Key RV Resort & Marina
A popular Lower Keys waterfront camping option located on Big Pine Key, Sunshine Key offers RV sites with ocean views, a marina, and a range of amenities that make it a comfortable base for exploring the area between Marathon and Key West.
The resort is set on its own small island, which gives it a more secluded feel than some of the other developed campgrounds in the Keys. You’ll find full-hookup sites, many right on the water, plus a pool, tiki bar, boat ramp, and kayak rentals.
It’s a well-run, family-friendly spot that attracts a loyal following of repeat visitors who appreciate the combination of convenience and waterfront setting. The resort is close to Bahia Honda State Park, the National Key Deer Refuge, and other Lower Keys attractions, making it a good central location for day trips. Fishing, snorkeling, and boating are all popular activities, and the staff can help arrange charters or rentals if you don’t have your own gear.
Sunshine Key works well if you want a developed, resort-style camping experience with easy water access and plenty of organized activities to keep everyone entertained.
11. Geiger Key Marina RV Park
Geiger Key Marina RV Park is a laid-back Lower Keys waterfront spot that’s perfect if you want to stay close to Key West without being right in the middle of the city’s hustle and bustle.
The park sits on a small island just off the main highway, with RV sites that overlook the water and a marina that makes it easy to launch boats or arrange fishing charters. It’s a casual, no-frills kind of place that attracts a mix of anglers, boaters, and campers who appreciate the quiet setting and easy access to both the backcountry and the Atlantic.
The park has a small restaurant and bar on-site, which is convenient for grabbing a cold drink or a casual meal without having to drive anywhere. You’re only about 15 minutes from Key West, so it’s easy to head into town for sightseeing, shopping, or nightlife, then retreat back to your waterfront campsite for the evening. Geiger Key works especially well for anglers and boaters who want a simple, affordable base with water access and proximity to Key West.
It’s not fancy, but it delivers exactly what you need for a relaxed, waterfront camping stay in the Lower Keys.
12. Jolly Roger RV Resort
Jolly Roger is a well-known Marathon-area waterfront campground that offers a comfortable, amenity-rich base for exploring the Middle Keys. The resort sits right on the water with full-hookup RV sites, many offering direct ocean views and easy access to swimming, fishing, and boating.
You’ll find a marina, boat ramp, swimming pool, tiki bar, and a friendly, social atmosphere that makes it popular with both short-term visitors and seasonal campers. The resort is well-maintained and family-friendly, with activities and events that keep things lively without feeling overly crowded or chaotic.
Marathon is a great central location in the Keys, close to Bahia Honda, Curry Hammock, and the Seven Mile Bridge, making it easy to explore both the Upper and Lower Keys from one spot. The town itself has good restaurants, grocery stores, and services, so you’re never far from what you need. Jolly Roger works well if you want a mix of waterfront camping and convenience, with enough amenities to keep everyone comfortable and entertained.
It’s a solid choice for families or groups who want a developed campground with water access and a central location for exploring the island chain.
