Top Places For Camping In Key West & The Florida Keys

What better way to enjoy the tropical scenery that the Florida Keys are famous for than camping out among nature? The area is rich and diverse with so many beautiful eco-attractions; those who enjoy the great outdoors have a myriad of choices when it comes to camping. Whether you like to really rough it or prefer an RV, you’re in for an unforgettable experience.

Key West Camping

Dry Tortugas and Fort Jefferson National Park
Watch the sun make a dramatic departure as you gaze at the sky from the white sandy beach on Garden Key within the Dry Tortugas and Fort Jefferson State Park. Camping here is anything but ordinary; it’s an authentic, intimate camping experience. With only 10 campsites available, you’ll feel like you’re on your own, exclusive island. Bring your tent and everything else you need including food, water and either a gas or charcoal briquettes grill, no wood fires are allowed in the park. Then be prepared to be awed. The star-filled skies, the sound of the waves rolling into shore and the serenity of this secluded oasis are just the beginning. This historic park is also home to the ancient civil war fortress Fort Jefferson. You can take a tour, see where the prisoners, including Samuel Mudd, were held, see the cannons and learn all about the fort and its fascinating history. The Dry Tortugas is also well known for the many bird species that make the area their home. Bird watchers from all over visit here to get a look at more than 300 species.

Ft. Zachary Taylor State Park
Shaded by vast, Australian pines whose rocky beach is considered the finest on Key West, this Florida state park has a lot to offer.
Far from brackish, the confluence of gulf and Atlantic waters here blends to make a stunning turquoise with a lively reef to explore just minutes offshore. If snagging a prize snapper or grouper is your thing, tread carefully on the neighboring rock jetties, plunk that line in the water and wait for a bite. In addition to great people-watching, you’ll see massive cruise ships heading out to sea and even the occasional rooster. The namesake fort dates back before the Civil War and was built entirely from masonry by highly-skilled Irish and British artisans well versed in castle construction. It possesses the largest amount of Civil War armaments in the United States and was considered to have been a state-of-the-art facility in its day. Camping is permitted most places though not overnight. The friendly park rangers allow people to watch the dramatic sunset before closing down the park.

Leo’s Campground
Located a block off of US1, this campsite is a favorite among campers with large RVs, small trailers and van campers. Picnic tables, grills, water and sewer hook-up, cable, electric and even a wi-fi connection is available for all who stay there. For those who would rather hunker down in a tent, you can opt to either bring your own or rent one from the park. There are, however, limited sites for tent campers as there are only 9 that can accommodate up to groups of 4. As a further convenience, the park also offers a laundry room and hot showers.

Boyd’s Key West Campground
Located on Mahoney Avenue, just minutes from the excitement of Duval Street, Boyd’s Key West Campground has been hosting campers for more than 45 years. Bring your RV, camper or tent and enjoy a beautiful, tropical oceanfront setting. A favorite among campers looking for the perfect place for a Key West camping adventure, Boyd’s offers an exceptional experience that includes electricity, Wi-Fi, bathrooms, a marina, a lounging beach, heated swimming pool and 24 hour security.

Other Florida Keys Camping

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
Whether you like roughing it or want to enjoy some of the comforts of home while you explore the great outdoors, there’s lots of camping fun to be had at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Their full facility has 47 different campsites available for tents or those with RV’s. This area of the park has all the necessities including water, sewer hookup and electricity. There’s also a picnic table and grills for each campsite and a main bathroom with hot showers. For groups and special youth groups, there are two other areas that offer picnic tables, grills, a fire circle with benches and a main restroom with hot showers.

Long Key
What was once the home of a luxurious fishing resort; is today the site for rustic and adventurous camping. Become one with nature as you hike the Golden Orb Trail that leads through lush pathways and natural communities to the observation tower. Climb to the top and enjoy the panoramic view of the island. Long Key, located at mile marker 67.5 between Islamorada and Marathon, offers 60 full facility campsites with picnic tables, grills, water and electricity. Campers can kayak through a chain of lagoons, hike the trails and enjoy some of the best fishing in the Florida Keys.

Sugar Loaf
Just 14 miles north of Key West, Sugarloaf Key is where tent and RV campers and their pets come to play while enjoying many of the comforts of home. At Sugarloaf, you’ll feel like you’re at an Oceanside resort—RV’s can park right on the water’s edge. This cozy campsite not only has Wi-Fi, electricity, restrooms and showers, it has a pub, snack bar and shuttles to downtown Key West for a night on the town. There are also sunset cruises and a pet playground! And if you’re looking for adventure and need a place to stay, you can even rent one of their Airstream travel trailers—a vintage looking silver camper that sleeps two.