The Overseas Highway is arguably one of the most scenic drives in Florida. This 113-mile route takes you over a chain of limestone islands surrounded by aquamarine waters before ending in Key West. Along the way, you’ll see a crocodile refuge, a giant lobster and conch shell, have the chance to feed tarpon, and snorkel the best coral reefs in North America.
Finding a great campsite in the Florida Keys can prove challenging, but with a little planning and a lot of knowledge, you can find the perfect place to camp along the Overseas Highway. Not all campsites are created equal, so think about what you want to get out of your Keys vacation before you book one.
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You can reserve a Florida State Park campsite 11 months in advance, starting at 8 a.m. local time. State park campsites in the Keys typically book within minutes, so be ready to reserve at 8 a.m. sharp to secure your spot.
May and September are the least crowded times; the winter month crowds can be almost overwhelming (and you’ll pay premium pricing at private campgrounds). September is one of the most active hurricane months in this part of Florida, and as soon as the Keys are in the pathway of a named storm, the state parks and campgrounds close. While camping can be unpredictable during hurricane season, if a storm turns away from the Keys, it can be an opportune moment to snag a great last-minute campsite at some of the parks.
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If you plan to camp in the Keys during the months of May through October, sunscreen, shade, and bug spray (preferably with DEET) are non-negotiables, but in exchange, you’ll be able to immerse yourself in a chain of picturesque tropical islands.
Collier-Seminole State Park, Naples, Florida
- Number of Sites: 120
- Pad Type: Grass
- Reservations: Yes
- Tent Camping: Yes
For RVers traveling from the western side of the state, consider budgeting an extra night for Collier-Seminole State Park in Naples, located roughly 2 hours north of the Florida Keys on the Tamiami Trail (U.S. 41). You can leave the next morning and arrive in the Keys refreshed rather than stressed from fighting rush hour, and you won’t race against sunset to get to your campground.
Collier-Seminole State Park is somewhat of a pass-through park; there’s a boat ramp, a small pollinator garden, and the Bay City Walking Dredge, a historic machine used to build portions of U.S. 41. This Everglades park is home to several types of wildlife, and it’s important to not leave food or trash out at your site.
Collier-Seminole offers grills, picnic tables, on-site laundry, hot showers, and a dump station.
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Key Largo, Florida
- Number of Sites: 42
- Pad Type: Gravel
- Reservations: Yes
- Tent Camping: Yes
As the first underwater state park in the U.S., John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park attracts snorkelers, paddlers, and divers throughout the year. Want to snorkel with a barracuda or dive Christ of the Deep? This is your campground.
People camp here for the park amenities; larger RVs will find the campsites (which have sewer connections) a manageable but tight squeeze. The sites aren’t on the water, but campers are close to glass-bottom boats, paddling trails, and plenty of water activities. “The amount of available outdoor activities nearby is unbelievable,” says one Campendium reviewer.
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park features grills, picnic tables, a laundry facility, hot showers, sewer hookups, and a dump station.
Long Key State Park, Long Key, Florida
- Number of Sites: n/a
- Pad Type: n/a
- Reservations: Yes
- Tent Camping: Yes
Hurricane Irma devastated this beachfront campground in 2017, and as of July 2022, Long Key State Park only has its tent campground—Orb Trail—open. It expects to allow RV campers back in January 2023.
This campground was a worksite when railroad magnate Henry Flagler built his Over-the-Sea Railway from Miami to Key West, and park rangers find—and host talks about—artifacts of the work camp as they rebuild the campground. Plus, this park is home to one of the few sandy beaches in the Florida Keys, and every RV site fronts the sandy ocean shore. “The ocean is literally feet from your campsite,” one Campendium reviewer writes.
When the campground reopens, it will have sites that can accommodate larger RVs, a dump station, grills, and hot showers.
Curry Hammock State Park, Marathon, Florida
- Number of Sites: 28
- Pad Type: Gravel
- Reservations: Yes
- Tent Camping: Yes
Curry Hammock State Park is also located right by the ocean, but this campground doesn’t boast a huge beach. This isn’t a problem for most travelers, because there’s so much to do in the area. Windsurfers flock here for the ideal wind conditions, and kayakers can take free ranger-guided tours that wind through mangrove tunnels and over lagoons brimming with upside-down jellyfish.
On the other side of the Overseas Highway, take a 2-mile hike through a mangrove forest. Nearby, sink your toes in the sand at dog-friendly Sombrero Beach, explore the environmental and cultural treasure trove at Crane Point Museum and Nature Center (including a fish pedicure at a tidal pool), or immerse yourself in history at Pigeon Key. The park also offers astronomy talks on select nights, and make sure you find the octopus sculpture by the beach.
This park has grills, hot showers, picnic tables, and a dump station. Some campsites are waterfront (and have epic sunrise views), and the campground has its own beach access.
Bahia Honda State Park, Big Pine Key, Florida
- Number of Sites: 79
- Pad Type: Gravel
- Reservations: Yes
- Tent Camping: Yes
Bahia Honda State Park is one of Florida’s top RVer destinations. A few coveted RV sites front the water, and if you have a camper shorter than 23 feet, almost all of the sites at the park’s Sandspur campground are located on the water—larger rigs can’t navigate the sharp turns. Dive and snorkel boats leave from the park marina several times a day, as do fishing boats. There’s plenty of snorkeling and fishing from within the park, too.
“Bahia Honda easily has the best beach in the Florida Keys,” says one Campendium review. But the beach isn’t the only reason to stay here: Fishing, snorkeling, diving, stargazing, and proximity to Key West and Big Pine Key make this a lovely respite.
The campground has hot water showers, a dump station, picnic tables, and grills or fire rings at every site.
Boyd’s Key West Campground, Stock Island, Florida
- Number of Sites: 263
- Pad Type: Gravel
- Reservations: Yes
- Tent Camping: Yes
Despite the name, Boyd’s Key West Campground is actually located on Stock Island. This popular campground attracts Key West visitors who want to enjoy their own space without paying Key West prices. It’s located right next to the original El Siboney Cuban restaurant (try the roast pork) and a short walk from Matt’s Stock Island Kitchen & Bar, so even if you don’t want to go to Key West proper, there’s no shortage of unique Florida Keys experiences.
This campground has all the amenities of a private campground, including a pool, game room, laundry, and a tiki bar. Boyd’s also has boat slips and kayak and paddleboard rentals. Sites tend to be tight at this campground, so be prepared to camp close to your neighbors.
Boyd’s offers hot showers, picnic tables, sewer hookups, a dump station (for an extra fee), laundry, and grills,
The Overseas Highway connects the Florida Keys, and driving from Card Sound Road to Key West is a road trip experience not to be missed. Be patient with traffic, and if something looks interesting, don’t hesitate to stop.
Here are a few must-see places to add to your adventure:
- Bayside Gourmet in Islamorada has fantastic sandwiches and pizzas, and it also has 1980s arcade games. This parking lot is not ideal for larger RVs.
- Feed the tarpon for a small fee at Robbie’s Marina in Islamorada. They’ll take a small fish right out of your hand.
- Snorkel at Alligator Reef Light by catching a boat from the marina. This is some of the best snorkeling in the Florida Keys.
- Stop at No Name Pub on No Name Key for food and a chance to catch the Key deer at twilight—drive cautiously.
- Grab breakfast and a coffee at Cuban Coffee Queen in Key West.
