Camping in the Keys?

[shawnandjeff]

Anyone done any camping in the Keys? We're thinking of doing a combo Fort trip and Keys trip in March...thanks!

 

[Disney Campers]

Some nice places in the keys, although many campgrounds have been sold for development such as condos, Key West itself is not very RV friendly, there is a campground on Stock Island Boyds Campground which is just before Key West, Nice state park Bahia Honda with nice beaches, need to reserve far in advance, also a couple KOA's with the exception of the state parks the campgrounds are very pricey. One other is Bluewater key, its an ownership park, when sites are not in use by the owners they rent them out.

 

[stacktester]

We're thinking of going before school starts back as well. I went the summer of 05 during mini lobster season (big mistake) even though we went after lobster both days and came up empty. We stayed at Knights Key CG in Marathon. It was on the left before you go over the 7 mile bridge. I was told when we were there it was sold for condos. A friend confirmed when he was there recently it was indeed leveled out and empty.

I was thinking of going to John Pennekamp State Park which is very early in the keys. They have a glass bottom boat tour that goes over some reefs and some other attractions. I've heard the KOA in Sugarloaf is also a good place so we may stay there as well. Someone I know was there 2 weeks ago and she said it is still a good cg. Bahai Honda looked to be nice but it gets packed from what I've been told. When we passed by it looked like campers were sardines. If you stay at a state park I would call the ranger and ask questions before you book. I'm hoping some others post here with ideas from their past trips as I would like info as well.

 

[tungpo1]

I just got back from pennycamp last week. Its a little bit of a bummer, not much to do, the water is murky and the no-see-ums are rough!!!!! your better off going further down at least to Sugarloaf area.

 

[wdwbound]

We drove down to Key Largo three years back and stayed at America Outdoors and really liked it there. They no longer have a website which is unfortunate but you can get info through camping in the Florida Keys. We did like this campground, and we did do the glass bottom boat tour.
Next year we do plan to make ressies at Blue Water Key no matter the cost (as long as we plan well). We like to have plenty of room between sites and most of the KOAs don't look like they have much in the way of vegetation for shade and privacy.

 

[tungpo1]

There is a few places in key largo, across from American Outdoors is Keylargo campground and marina which is nice also next to the publix

 

[MrKTI]

We are going to FW next week, then to the keys first week of Aug. We are going to Bluewater Key RV, our second visit. Very nice, but expensive.

Goto Bluewaterkey.com or .org, different sites. I think Rita's is .org, she handles some private lots ... if fact I think she owns several.

About 14 miles from Key West.

I did not read every post, so this might be a repeat. Not sure what kind of rig you have, so this might not pertain.

John

Edit: If you have a large rig, fuel up before getting on the two lane to Key West. There are places to pull off, but if you don't know where they are, you will blow right by them. About 100 miles of two lane I think to Key West, but plan on taking it easy, it takes awhile.

 

[Disney Campers]

I heard America Outdoor was closed, this was my campsite there in 2004:

and then to Bluewater key:

Some More Pictures - Click Here

 

[shawnandjeff]

Wow! That Bluewater place is awesome...but yes, VERY expensive. Is that pic a waterfront site I imagine? It looks so great!

 

[shawnandjeff]

No can do for us...we have a popup and they don't allow them at Bluewater.

 

[tungpo1]

I think Bluewater is for class A only. They each have their own tiki huts its beautiful. Calusa next to American Outdoors is nice too as long as you get waterfront, but the rest rooms are nasty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[lucy_love]

We stay at Vetnrue Out on Cud Joe Key which is 23 miles from Key West. We stay there because we bring our 26ft boat with us. Bluewater does not allow us to bring our boat. So if you plan on bringing a boat, I would stay at Venture Out.

 

[loveDmouse]

I think Bluewater is for class A only. They each have their own tiki huts its beautiful. Calusa next to American Outdoors is nice too as long as you get waterfront, but the rest rooms are nasty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If I read it right Bluewater just doesn't allow pop-ups or truck camper. Looks like they allow all motorhomes and travel trailers.

It does say they don't allow tents, hybrid trailers and high/lows whatever that is.

 

[Disney Campers]

high/lows whatever that is

 

[loveDmouse]

Thanks. Now I know what a High/Low is.

 

[4mickey2]

now that's just wrong.. what's the problem with the truck camper. i don't see a problem with a pop up either. but, a truck camper can be just as hard-sided as any other camper..

 

[4mickey2]

sounds like class a's only. i wonder if they allow c's. we have stayed at boyds over x-mas and it was nice.

 

[pammypooh]

We stayed at Sugarloaf Key KOA for about a week the end of Feb. 2006. It is a great campground. They have a pool that my kids lived in. They also have a "beach area", but we preferred the pool. They did activities for kids, had bingo, had a band, enjoyed eating breakfast from their little restaurant beside pool. Also had bar on opposite end of pool. We loved it. There is a great restaurant - Mangrove Mama's also on Sugarloaf Key. We really want to go back.

Pam

 

[loveDmouse]

sounds like class a's only. i wonder if they allow c's. we have stayed at boyds over x-mas and it was nice.

It doesn't say anything about no Class Cs so I am guessing they are allowed. Only says the ones I stated previously aren't allowed. So Motorhomes and travel trailers can go. Most places I have seen that only allow Class As only allow them. No trailers or anything else.

 

[loveDmouse]

We stayed at Sugarloaf Key KOA for about a week the end of Feb. 2006. It is a great campground. They have a pool that my kids lived in. They also have a "beach area", but we preferred the pool. They did activities for kids, had bingo, had a band, enjoyed eating breakfast from their little restaurant beside pool. Also had bar on opposite end of pool. We loved it. There is a great restaurant - Mangrove Mama's also on Sugarloaf Key. We really want to go back.

Pam

I would love to go camping in the keys but it is such a long drive. I guess if we had atleast two weeks off from work we could do it.

How was the drive for you guys? How many days did it take? We are in Virginia so you had even farther to go then we would.