Best Beach Campsites Miami Near Me

4worldlovers:
Larry & Penny Thompson Park and Campground is a first-class camping area adjacent to world-famous zoo Miami. It has 270 acres of natural South Florida woodland, bike trails, hiking paths, and a freshwater lake with its own beach that operates seasonally.


Our campground consists of 240 separate campsites for recreational vehicles, each with electrical, sewer and water hook-ups. Amenities include four large bathhouse facilities with laundry, restrooms and showers.


Tent camping is currently closed until further notice due to major construction & renovations at our campground.

4worldlovers:
There are two campgrounds in the park. Both are located on islands, Elliott Key and Boca Chita Key. The only access to these islands is by boat. No services are available on the islands.

Boca Chita Key is the park's most popular island. It features beautiful waterfront views, a grassy camping area, picnic tables and grills. Toilets are available, but there are no showers, sinks or drinking water. The harbor entrance at low tide is approximately four feet.

Elliott Key is the park's largest island. Restrooms with sinks and cold water showers, picnic tables and grills are available. Drinking water is available, but bring water as a precaution if the system goes down. Elliott Key harbor is approximately 2 ½ feet at low tide. There are 33 boat slips in the marina.

Before you visit the islands, download the free Mobile App - Recreation.gov and create a login. Now you're ready to pay for your site with these easy steps:

Open the Recreation.gov app and click the "scan" icon on the bottom menu options. If prompted, allow camera access.

Scan the QR code located at the kiosk on the island and follow the on-screen instructions to pay for your site.

Got cell connectivity? You're all set! No cell connectivity? No problem! Your payment will be marked as "pending" until you reach cell connectivity later.

Be sure to follow any additonal instructions at the kiosk to indicate your campsite is paid for.

If asked for proof of payment, show the confirmation number or QR code on your phone.

Fees are for a maximum of six people and two tents.

Camping and marina use fees are due daily upon arrival or no later than official sunset.

Seniors with a valid America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Senior Pass receive a 50% discount on fees.

No reservations may be made in advance for these campgrounds; they are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Tents – Permitted in designated areas only. There is no backcountry camping in the park. Camping is limited to fourteen consecutive days or no more than thirty days within a calendar year.

Quiet Hours - 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. During quiet hours all noise must be kept to a minimum.

Insects – May be prevalent year round. Expect heavy populations of insects during the warmer months.

Pets – On Elliott Key pets on a leash are permitted within developed areas only. Pets may not be left unattended. Pets are not allowed in buildings. Pets, with the exception of service animals, are not allowed on Boca Chita Key including vessels docked at Boca Chita Key.

Fires - Ground fires are not permitted except at the group campsite on Elliott Key. Dead and downed wood may be collected only within the vicinity of the campgrounds.

Wildlife – Do not feed wildlife. Food and garbage should be stored in a boat or animal-proof cooler.

Trails - Two trails tunnel through the tropical hardwood hammock of Elliott Key. One runs across the entire seven miles of Elliott Key (fourteen miles round trip). There is a one mile long loop trail between the bay and ocean sides of Elliott Key beginning at the marina. Trails may be overgrown in places, as foliage grows year round and quickly in the warm and humid climate.

Group Campsite – Located on the ocean side of Elliott Key about a third of a mile from the main campground and restrooms. It is available for groups of 10 or more by reservation only (786-335-3609). Fees are $35 per night. This includes docking for one boat and one tent site for up to six people. For every additional one to to six people in the group arriving on the same vessel, there is a $25 fee. There is a maximum of thirty people and five tents for this site.

4worldlovers:
Just minutes from busy I-95, this park named from a Seminole term for “meeting or gathering place” attracts walkers, picnickers, and athletes. It’s also home to a campground and Castaway Island, with two water playgrounds and a swim lagoon.