A Guide To Key West Campgrounds

Thinking about camping in Key West? There are plenty of great places to set up your tent or park your RV!

Key West Campgrounds: An Overview

The Florida Keys are some of our country’s most beautiful natural treasures. With so much to see and do, it's no wonder millions of people flock to the Keys every year. It's a tropical paradise you can visit without needing a passport.

While some folks are all about luxury hotels when they travel to the Keys, others would rather immerse themselves in the outdoors, taking in all that this area of South Florida has to offer in the way of sun, sand, and sightseeing.

If this sounds like you, you will want to keep reading. In this article, we’ll explore some of Key West’s best campgrounds. Whether you choose tent camping or an RV site, there’s a lot of fun to be had in Key West.

When To Go

Travel experts cite March through May as the best timeframe to go camping in Key West. By this time. most of the snowbird traffic has gone away and the summer travelers haven’t shown up yet. If you visit during the first part of this timeframe, the weather will be less hot and humid.

If you’re looking for the least expensive time to visit, this would be September through November, after the summer break, and before peak season begins. The issue with this timeframe is the weather; hurricane season in Key West also happens to be September through November.

Key West Campground Activities

Many travelers come to the Keys just to take in the heavenly weather and gorgeous views. There’s plenty of that to enjoy on Key West campgrounds.

Key West is known around the world for its pristine white sand beaches, crystal blue skies, breathtaking sunsets, and clear nights that are perfect for star-gazing.

There are also opportunities to check out the local plant and animal life. For example, take a trip to Big Pine Key to see the key deer on the National Key Deer Reserve. These tiny deer are only found in this region. Water-related activities are at the top of the list of things to do in Key West. Snorkeling, kayaking, boating, fishing, and swimming are among the aquatic adventures there.

Garden Key in particular has an excellent reputation as a fine place to swim and snorkel. Or, if you’re more of a dry-land person, you could try your hand at beachcombing to see what treasures you can find.

If you enjoy hiking, there are several trails in Key West near popular campsites. For example, Bush Key Trail is part of the Dry Tortugas National Park. It's a fairly easy trail and not crowded most of the year.

Let’s not forget those who like to come to Key West for dining and shopping. When choosing a key west campground, check the surrounding areas to see if you’ll be close to stores and restaurants.

Noteworthy Bars in Key West

If you’re camping in Key West, you may want to check out what the local nightlife has to offer. Like most resort regions, Key West has a healthy share of bars and clubs to enjoy. The following is only a partial list. .

• The Tipsy Rooster Liquor Store and Bar This hybrid bar/store is known for its unique specialty drinks in addition to a selection of beer, wine, and liquor. You can chill at this laidback location or buy a bottle to take home.
• The Green Parrot One of the oldest bars in Key West, the Green Parrot caters to locals and tourists alike with its no-frills ambiance.
• Aqua Nightclub - If a more “now” club is your preference, Aqua might be the place for you. Enjoy today's music and a hip vibe, as well as performances from some of the Keys' top drag performers.
• Tiki House - This classy, welcoming Tiki-themed bar is a perfect spot to bask in the glow of your tropical vacation.
• Bottle Caps Key West - Come and play a game of pool or enjoy the patio in this cozy bar. They also serve delicious casual bar food.
• Vinos on Duval - Visitors to this eclectic wine bar say that they were surprised both by the selection and by the reasonable prices. Stop by and enjoy a chilled wine on a warm evening.
• The Bull and Whistle Bar - This European-style building houses a rollicking bar atmosphere with 3 levels. The roof, aka the Garden of Eden, is a clothing-optional space with an awesome view of the island.
• The Rum Bar - Located inside the Speakeasy Inn, this Cuban-style building carries a lot of history. It formerly belonged to a rum runner who trafficked rum between the Keys and Cuba. Today, you can relax and (legally!) enjoy their assortment of rum and other drinks, all with blocks of the beach and Duval street attractions.
• Virgilios - Enjoy Italian cuisine, drinks and live music in this bar’s classically cool atmosphere. Check out their Martini Mondays.

Some of Key West’s Top Campgrounds

Here are the best campgrounds to visit in Key West.

Leo's Campground

Only 5 miles from Key West, this popular location is a good choice to park your RV or set up your tent if you enjoy being in the thick of the action. Watch the iguanas, enjoy a picnic, and use local public transportation to get to wherever you need to go. It is a convenient location if you want to get to and from Key West quickly.

Camping - Dry Tortugas

If roughing it is more of your style, this is the spot for you. This massive national park has so much to offer in the way of nature, including beachfront camping, it's the perfect spot to truly get away from it all. The park offers opportunities to snorkel, kayak, watch the wildlife and enjoy photo-worthy sunsets. Just be sure you come prepared. This park does not offer any conveniences or amenities, including water. See the checklist on your website to ensure that you’re ready.

Sunshine Key RV Resort & Marina

Going south on U.S. 1, you’ll find Sunshine Key at mile marker 39. This RV park is an all-inclusive vacation destination, offering a marina, sports facilities, guided boat tours, a game room, an on-site store, and much more. It’s a wonderful spot to stop while exploring the Keys or to book an extended stay. The choice is yours!

Grassy Key RV Park & Resort

Are you looking for an RV park that’s near the Keys’ most popular dining, shopping, and attractions? Check out Grassy Key RV Park and Resort, located at mile marker 58.7 in Maraton. This park has recently been renovated and is welcoming RVs of all sizes as well as boats.

Long Key State Park

Long Key has a history of being the go-to spot for well-to-do vacationers. Now, this white sand paradise can be enjoyed by just about anyone. This tranquil haven on the Atlantic Ocean offers opportunities for wildlife-watching, hiking, kayaking, and snorkeling. For those looking to camp, it is a tent-only site at the moment, with limited numbers of campers permitted. The park was hit hard by Hurricane Irma a few years ago and is still in the process of restoring its full-service campgrounds.

Geiger Key RV Park

Did you visit the Keys in your youth, or did you often hear stories about the regions’ glory days from older loved ones while growing up? Geiger Key RV Park sets out to recreate the best parts of Old Time Florida. Modeled after a vintage fishing camp, Geiger invites you to enjoy the water to your heart’s content. Or simply sit out on a lawn chair and take in the soothing Gulf air. The on-site restaurant offers classic Keys favorites like fish and grits or pulled pork.

Fiesta Key RV Resort

Fiesta Key Resort is another great option if you want a Florida RV park that’s comfortable, convenient, and fun. This full-amenities resort offers RV hookups as well as a hotel and cabins. For fun, there’s a pool, a spa, and a beach-themed bar. You can spend the day checking out the nearby attractions and come back to a relaxing tropical environment.

Boyd’s Key West RV Campground

At mile marker 5 off US 1, you’ll find Boyd’s, a family-friendly campground where you can park your RV or set up your tent. Boyd’s has a cozy down-home feel and offers activities like group fitness classes, golf, potluck suppers, and much more.

Camping and Nightlife in Key West - The Wrapup

Hopefully, this article has shown you all the choices you have when camping in Key West.

Whether you want to camp in the lap of luxury or rough it in the wild, Key West has what you’re looking for. And at the end of the day when you’re looking to unwind at a bar or club, you have lots of choices as well.

The wide selection of laidback atmospheres and higher-end clubs and hip alternative species allows you to decide just how wild - or how mild - you want your evening to be.