Camping in Key West, Florida

A complete guide to camping in Key West

Key West, Florida, beachfront camping with palm trees

Photo Credit: Z Colah

Overview

Key West sits at the end of the Overseas Highway, 160 miles southwest of Miami on a coral island at the southernmost point of the continental US. The camping options are limited by the island's size and density, but the campgrounds that exist provide an affordable alternative to Key West's hotel prices, which rank among the highest in Florida.

Boyd's Key West Campground and Leo's Key West Campground operate on the eastern side of the island with waterfront sites on the Atlantic side. Both accommodate tents and RVs. El Mar RV Resort and Bluewater Key RV Resort sit along the Overseas Highway approaching Key West, with Bluewater Key occupying its own island between Key West and Sugarloaf Key. Sigsbee Campground on the naval air station provides camping for military personnel and eligible civilians.

Sugarloaf Key KOA Resort on Summerland Key (20 miles north) and Big Pine Key RV Park provide additional options between Key West and Marathon. The real camping draw in the Keys stretches across the islands north of Key West. Bahia Honda State Park in Big Pine Key (36 miles north) is the most sought-after campground in the Keys, with sites behind a white-sand beach that looks more Caribbean than mainland Florida. The campground books out months ahead. The Keys' coral-rock geography, mangrove shorelines, and clear water create a camping environment unlike anywhere else in the continental US.

Browse All RV Parks & Campgrounds in Key West

Weather & Best Seasons

Best months: November through April

Winter is peak season in the Keys. January averages 68 degrees with warm, dry days and cool evenings. The water stays swimmable year-round (mid-70s in winter, mid-80s in summer). Summer is hot, humid, and within hurricane season (June through November). Mosquitoes peak from May through October near standing water and mangrove areas. The dry season (November through April) coincides with the highest visitor traffic and campground demand.

Season

Things to Do in Key West

Snorkel or dive the coral reef at John Pennekamp State Park (Key Largo, 100 miles north) or the Looe Key reef (27 miles north). Glass-bottom boat tours provide a dry alternative. The reef supports tropical fish, sea turtles, and nurse sharks.
Watch the sunset from Mallory Square, a nightly ritual where street performers, food vendors, and crowds gather at the western tip of Key West as the sun drops into the Gulf.
Walk Duval Street from the Gulf to the Atlantic, a one-mile strip of bars, restaurants, galleries, and historic buildings that defines Key West's social center.
Visit the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, where Hemingway wrote several novels. Polydactyl (six-toed) cats descended from his pets still roam the property.
Kayak through the mangrove channels of the Key West backcountry or Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge. Guided tours access channels too narrow for motorboats.
Bike the island. Key West is flat and compact enough to cover on two wheels. Bike rentals are available throughout town. The bike path along the Atlantic side connects most campgrounds to the historic district.
Stand at the Southernmost Point buoy, the marker at the corner of South and Whitehead streets. The closest point in the continental US to Cuba (90 miles).

Camping Tips for Key West

Bahia Honda State Park in Big Pine Key (36 miles from Key West) is the most competitive campground reservation in the Keys. Book six months ahead on the first available day. The beach rivals Caribbean sand.
Key West campgrounds serve as affordable alternatives to hotel rooms that average over 300 per night in peak season. Even basic tent sites provide significant savings.
Mosquitoes in the Keys are intense from May through October, especially near mangroves and standing water. DEET and long sleeves are necessary. Ocean-exposed sites with trade-wind breeze have fewer issues.
The Overseas Highway (US 1) is the only road connecting the Keys. Traffic congestion on weekend mornings heading south and Sunday evenings heading north can add hours. Plan travel timing around the rush.
Snorkeling and diving in the Keys requires reef awareness. Touch nothing. Use reef-safe sunscreen. The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary protects the third-largest barrier reef system in the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is camping affordable in Key West?

Relative to Key West hotels (averaging over 300 per night in peak season), camping is significantly cheaper. Boyd's and Leo's campgrounds provide waterfront tent and RV sites at a fraction of hotel rates. The savings fund the restaurants and activities. Bluewater Key RV Resort is more upscale but still below hotel pricing.

How far is Bahia Honda from Key West?

Bahia Honda State Park in Big Pine Key is 36 miles north of Key West on the Overseas Highway, about a 45-minute drive. The park's beach is the most photographed in the Keys. The campground books six months ahead and fills immediately for winter season dates. It is worth the drive from Key West for a day visit even without camping.

Can I snorkel from Key West campgrounds?

The reef is offshore and requires a boat to reach. Snorkel and dive charters operate from Key West marina daily. Fort Zachary Taylor State Park has the best shore snorkeling on the island. The main reef system at Looe Key (27 miles north by boat) and John Pennekamp (Key Largo) provide the richest snorkeling.

When is the best time to camp in the Keys?

November through April. The dry season brings warm days (75 to 85 degrees), minimal mosquitoes, and trade-wind breezes. This is peak tourist season with the highest campground demand. Summer is hot, humid, mosquito-heavy, and within hurricane season. Campground availability improves in summer but conditions are challenging.

Spring	Mar-May	82°F	70°F	Mosquitoes peak from May through October near standing water and mangrove areas.
Summer	Jun-Aug	89°F	77°F	The water stays swimmable year-round (mid-70s in winter, mid-80s in summer).
Fall	Sep-Nov	82°F	70°F	Summer is hot, humid, and within hurricane season (June through November).
Winter	Dec-Feb	75°F	63°F	Winter is peak season in the Keys.

Camping in Key West, Florida

Overview

Weather & Best Seasons

Featured Parks in Key West

Leo's Key West Campground

Boyd's Key West Campground

Bluewater Key RV Resort

El Mar RV Resort

Nearby National Parks

Dry Tortugas National Park

Everglades National Park