RV parks and campgrounds in the Florida Keys can be expensive in season. But from April through November, the water activities, sightseeing, shopping, dining, and relaxing under the swaying palms of this U.S. version of the Caribbean is balm to the soul.
Rain is usually on the menu during July and August, but the weather in early spring and autumn can be ideal. There are four RV-friendly Florida State Parks in the Keys, some with water views and sea breezes. Bahia Honda, Curry Hammock, Long Key and John Pennekamp each offer sites for around $40 per night. Not a bad deal considering that these parks offer beach access. Here’s a rundown of what you can expect:
Bahia Honda
Located on Big Pine Key, this park has 86 sites offering beautiful sunsets and sunrises over the water, and private sites hidden by lush green foliage. There are beaches on both ends of the park for toe-dipping, fishing, snorkeling, and swimming. Inland there’s a butterfly trail, and a nice trail hike to a remnant of an original Overseas Highway bridge—the highway being near the southern end of U.S. 1 and the bridge now almost a century old.
Curry Hammock
Located near Marathon, this park’s 28 large sites with tenting areas are generally coveted by RVers because there are no bad sites here—all ocean front and breezy. Hurricane Irma hit Marathon hard, so there’s less vegetation than before, but the lack of trees does make for great satellite reception and good cell service. Hiking trails, lots of iguanas, nearby kayaks rentals and shopping, restaurants, and ice cream shops are a short drive away.
John Pennekamp
Located in Key Largo, this park offers 47 sites which makes for cramped conditions during season, but off-season is not a problem. The seafood dining options are the best! Key Largo Fisheries offers fresh seafood to go or to eat on picnic tables overlooking the marina. The Conch House and The Fish House are within walking distance. There’s plenty to do in Key Largo, so boredom is not problem. Five stars for convenience and activities!
Long Key
Located in Long Key, this park offers 60 sites all overlooking the ocean. Each site has a picnic table and ground grill, plus all the regular electric and water hookups (bring an extension cord to this park). Here, the ocean is shallow and sea grass feels soft on wading feet. The park is a natural ecosystem, and you can wade out into the ocean for a long ways. There was damage from Irma, so call to be sure all the facilities are open.
All of the oceanfront Florida Keys State parks were damaged by Hurricane Irma in 2017. Be sure to check before making reservations online to be sure that the park you like will meet your expectations.
Early this year we held the Grand Opening of our brand spanking new washroom with separate air-conditioned men’s and women’s showers and bathrooms in the front of the building, and a generous number of new washers and dryers in the rear of the building. The laundry section is well-ventilated and has plenty of sorting and folding tables. To be sure that the washroom sparkles, a full-time resident, Patti Owen, keeps it spic ’n span daily.
Other park improvements this summer included a new mailroom and lots of new plants and grass. The new stand-alone mailroom means that guests can collect their mail from a central point away from office traffic and out of the rain. New plantings add more green space, cool and clean the air, and help create a more park-like setting.
We’ve also brought back Propane Rentals for park guests. No more trips to the store when making last-minute BBQ plans! The tanks sit by our new boatyard fence that connects to the park office that is also going through renovations with a new roof and remodeled office.
George, the resident park manager, will once again be making memories as he takes park guests on excursions up and down South Florida’s Intracoastal Waterway. And this season will be bigger and better than ever—George has a new 35-foot all aluminum beauty!
Some websites offer RVers a chance to review or rate the parks. 
We never brag about Floridays being the prettiest RV park in Florida. But we do brag about its charm and friendly people. Your view from the stoop may be your neighbor’s awning, the beach is a hike away, but we’re definitely an RV-friendly park with some great get-togethers. We know how to celebrate.
New Year’s Eve had us carving up yet another 23-pounder turkey, ham and beans, cornbread and all the traditional fixings in the glow of yet another golden Florida sunset. After dark, we lit the fire pit and somehow kept the cornhole tournament going. Live music and our favorite DJ kept most people on their feet. We danced and chatted toward the midnight countdown. For all our readers, we wish you happy cleanouts, functioning jacks, smooth transmissions, and smooth sliders throughout 2017!