Just came from Key West stayed on the Naval Base Oceanfront for a week in my RV and hung downtown on Duvall Street I rented a moped for the week and enjoyed myself also when jet skiing power sailing so all your military people check out the naval base
I am sitting in the Grassy Key RV park right now, and although its expensive, its beautiful. Its a small park, only about 38 spaces, and I am told that that it will be full from December 1st forward... Good luck.
As you alluded, the Keys for camping in the past are long gone. Too many people in rv's these days make it nearly impossible to camp south of Miami. The reservation system for FL state parks is difficult to maneuver. I'd love for Campendium to look at areas in mid FL (rv parks, state parks, etc) which might be more accessible. Thanks for a great vid!
rhondalyn100 try RVJedi . His channel is all about him camping in state parks all over FL, especially the mid and gulf side. He also does a cooking part of his videos and he makes some killer dishes!
I live in Marathon and we had our first cold front come through today it was 58 this morning. Unfortunately Long Key State Park is still closed after Hurricane Irma But Sunshine Key has reopened south of the Seven Mile Bridge.
And Bahia Honda is wiped out all the trees and brush, flora is gone and is partially open and the beach what beach ? wiped out from Ima Long boat key has some camp spots but is barren also i dont recommend John Pennekamp for tent camping unless you want hear R.V gen sets all night long and rowdy drunks best bet is to make reservations for Dry Tortugas Those photos of the Keys are old pics i , live in Key Largo
Love the Keys...don't camp there anymore though. It is nearly impossible to get a good site unless you plan a year in advance and even with that, a decent Hurricane can quickly change that! Some of the camps I used to go to are closed due to storm damage or were wiped out for construction of the Hotels/Condo's (like America Outdoors CG). Pennekamp is as it always has but when I visited last summer at it seemed noisy from traffic noise. I also noticed the rates in some of the nicer parks are stupid high per night...like Disney Fort Wilderness CG "in season rates" high! Hey, I am Flo-Grown, so I know the area as it once was...fun camping then. Maybe someday I will plan an RV trip there, but given the plethora of great camping on the East/West Coasts of the state, I am not sure when. Just passed through Jacksonville and stayed an Hanna Park and it was nice...not a lot of frills but decent wooded sites and it looked like they have been upgrading the power/water and sewer connections. I saw big rigs in there but know it is tight, so be warned. Super beaches with white "sugar sand" and lots of shells for those who like to collect. When I was there, there were lots of open sites and the beaches were far from crowded. (went the week before Christmas).
With the pandemic going on, there was several times with reservations made the week or even day before but generally yes, a year reservation in advance was needed. I hardly can find a good state park with everything unless it's a 3 month in advance reservation. I plan on making some reservations next month though.
Hello Campendium. My first time in the Florida Keys was in May of this year. LOVED IT! I went all the way to MM 1. I Stayed at Boyd's Campground. It was amazing from the time I checked in, to the time I checked out. I'm headed back in October, same place. Thank you for the video on the other State Parks.
Love to hear it! If you haven't left a review for Boyd's or the other places you stayed yet, we'd love for you to do so 😀: www.campendium.com/boyds-key-west-campground -Liz
@@HelpfulRebelsTV Oh. I will be seeing so much more. I was just saying that I'd go back to Boyd's because it was just so beautiful. Then leave, and journey on.
The trick is getting a reservation in these spots! We are planning our time there now and have had difficulty finding availability. Can’t wait to explore when we get there.
Hi Elementary Explorers - No kidding! Florida state park reservations open 11 months in advance and we've found that they usually sell out the moment they become available so mark your calendar and set your alarm clock!
Hi Lance - Long term camping by the ocean will be hard on your rig. When we went camped in Florida in our first Airstream it got pitted from the salt water spray. You probably don't want to stay too long and consider washing your RV after camping at the beach.
I love the Keys but the State Parks are always booked a year in advance. The private RV parks could easily cost $150 a night with a minimum 5 night booking. Blue Water RV Park is beautiful but costly. Take kayaks and bicycles.
With growing up in the keys, I hate being around the salt water and the heat. People thinks salt water is great for the skin but overtime, it dries and damages skin over years. I myself prefer the natural springs in the woods more. However there was nice camping offers in the keys last year with for the first time without making a reservation made a year or more in advance. Last time I checked the prices in the keys with my military discount ranged from $16 to $18 a night which is nice however.
Keys are awesome, but getting pretty used up by the tourism. The quiet escape from the real world that older folks remember from 30-40 years ago is gone. Good video though.
Hi Ian, prices vary depending on if it's a state park or a private RV park - you can see recent prices and filter by price here: www.campendium.com/florida-keys
I love the Keys. I was lucky to have been stationed at Boca Chica (Key West) at the end of my Navy time. Great place to stay. However - the mosquitos are aggressive there. However you camp I'd make sure I protected myself from the pesky mosquitos.
I lived in south Florida for a couple of decades. I know the keys backwards. There is nowhere to park other than campsites and parks. So if you do that bring a big wad of cash. It is EXPENSIVE. Believe me the novelty of winter sun and palm trees gets old in about a week. If you are older and are into boondocking and just want the warmth there are other options. The Keys are an endless series of arty farty stores, greasy spoon joints charging top dollar for crappy burgers and various other places that are there purely to extract money from you. People are not particularly friendly and places like Duval, Captain Tony's, Sloppy Joe etc are packed and super dear. Every time I went asked myself why I kept doing this. Having said that the museums and some of the sights are worth doing in KW. It is an interesting place. The sunset parties have turned into mini carnivals every night. When I went fishing I'd sleep in my minivan on an inflatable mattress in a friends yard on Pine Key. Don't dare sleep in a van on the street because the cops are ruthless and the fines are wicked.
After reviewing rates and availability of the parks you mention, I can neither afford the cost nor the time it takes to get a site. For me, camping is about a level of spontaneity and not planning months in advance. Thanks Florida, but I’ll pass.
I stealth camped in the keys for about six weeks a few years back in a 2006 toyota sienna. Had a great time, snorkeling, paddle boarding, hanging out on the beach. I would work out in the evenings at the little park in key west by the beach with pull up bars and stuff. Solitude is not hard to find once you get out on the water. A six week vacation in the keys for around 500 dollars, food gas and everything. I pity the masses, I really do.
Not accurate or current information. Nearly all the keys were affected by the hurricane last year and recovery has been slow. These aren’t current pictures.
Hi Troy - we show last reported price on the campground pages for each location on Campendium, however, we always recommend calling as prices do change! 😊
Be sure to check out the links with more specific information on the places mentioned in this video, above. Then, head over to www.campendium.com and use the search and filter features to find even more awesome campsites! Happy camping 🏝
What park is it that the gorgeous silver Airstream is parked on (right on the beach and surrounded by palms) about a quarter of the way into the video? Gorgeous!
"Long Key State Park" I was sitting in a lawn chair one night watching the full moon with a light wind blowing the palm tree. I was only about 20 feet from the Atlantic Ocean. It was so perfect, until a Big Rat jumped in the lawn chair with me. Long Key is infested with RATS !!!!!
Monroe County (The Florida Keys) is open to travel, yes! Just be sure to call ahead to any park you're interested in staying at to confirm their status/rules/regulations! Happy camping - Liz
These are paid sites. We have a video on free camping in Florida here: th-cam.com/video/dlpLRm0PIKk/w-d-xo.html If you're interested in free camping in general, check out: www.campendium.com/free-camping
Key West was mentioned at the very end. And all the ones he mentioned are considered to be in the "keys" which is considered to start on the very first island.
@@yankeesusa1 listen carefully.the places he said were in key west are not in key west.there "up the keys" as we say here IN KEY WEST.take it from me iv been here over 20 year's
I wouldn't recommend Blue Water Key RV park to my worst enemy. They are a very unsavory bunch and practice bait and switch! They tell you one thing and do quite another. Not a nice place.
If you're looking for more camping options in the Keys - or anywhere in the U.S. or Canada - head over to www.campendium.com to search and review! Happy camping - Liz
For an awesome experience take your tent, a cooler with some food and ferry out to the dry tortugas and camp out for one night. The stars are amazing.
Do they offer camping gear? Can you stay more than one night with tent? Are reservations for tent needed?
Just came from Key West stayed on the Naval Base Oceanfront for a week in my RV and hung downtown on Duvall Street I rented a moped for the week and enjoyed myself also when jet skiing power sailing so all your military people check out the naval base
We dry camp, and being retired military, we stay on Key West at Trumbo Famcamp. Easy walk to Old Town.
Do you have to be retired military to use this campsite? Im a veteran but I only served for 4 years, if that helps me.
@@mattmarsh4502 following, Im a veteran too, wondering the same thing
We stayed at blue water key and it was amazing the only time we went in our camper was to sleep and shower, and we had a private dock
We've always stayed at Boyd's Key West Campground on Stock Island. Really close to Key West and maybe 4 miles from Duval St.
I am sitting in the Grassy Key RV park right now, and although its expensive, its beautiful. Its a small park, only about 38 spaces, and I am told that that it will be full from December 1st forward... Good luck.
The “best” camping in the Florida Keys is right offshore - in a boat !
I believe that! If only RV's could float ~ haha!
Or stealth camping in a van.
@@TheTaoofEternalWar Hehe..stealth beats offshore...
Or in a AIRSTREAM 😁👍
I love the Keys. So beautiful.
Love the keys. I had a time share there. Food is good. Lots to do.
As you alluded, the Keys for camping in the past are long gone. Too many people in rv's these days make it nearly impossible to camp south of Miami. The reservation system for FL state parks is difficult to maneuver. I'd love for Campendium to look at areas in mid FL (rv parks, state parks, etc) which might be more accessible. Thanks for a great vid!
rhondalyn100 try RVJedi . His channel is all about him camping in state parks all over FL, especially the mid and gulf side. He also does a cooking part of his videos and he makes some killer dishes!
Thanks so much! I'll check out the channel....:-)
I live in Marathon and we had our first cold front come through today it was 58 this morning. Unfortunately Long Key State Park is still closed after Hurricane Irma But Sunshine Key has reopened south of the Seven Mile Bridge.
Thanks for the update William!
And Bahia Honda is wiped out all the trees and brush, flora is gone and is partially open and the beach what beach ? wiped out from Ima Long boat key has some camp spots but is barren also i dont recommend John Pennekamp for tent camping unless you want hear R.V gen sets all night long and rowdy drunks best bet is to make reservations for Dry Tortugas Those photos of the Keys are old pics i , live in Key Largo
I, heard some of Long Key S.P was open not sure how accurate that is
Loved blue water RV resort can't wait to get back there
We have got to get down there to camp and paddle. Cool video and great info. Subbed!
Hope you get down there soon! - Liz
Love the Keys...don't camp there anymore though. It is nearly impossible to get a good site unless you plan a year in advance and even with that, a decent Hurricane can quickly change that! Some of the camps I used to go to are closed due to storm damage or were wiped out for construction of the Hotels/Condo's (like America Outdoors CG). Pennekamp is as it always has but when I visited last summer at it seemed noisy from traffic noise. I also noticed the rates in some of the nicer parks are stupid high per night...like Disney Fort Wilderness CG "in season rates" high! Hey, I am Flo-Grown, so I know the area as it once was...fun camping then. Maybe someday I will plan an RV trip there, but given the plethora of great camping on the East/West Coasts of the state, I am not sure when.
Just passed through Jacksonville and stayed an Hanna Park and it was nice...not a lot of frills but decent wooded sites and it looked like they have been upgrading the power/water and sewer connections. I saw big rigs in there but know it is tight, so be warned. Super beaches with white "sugar sand" and lots of shells for those who like to collect. When I was there, there were lots of open sites and the beaches were far from crowded. (went the week before Christmas).
With the pandemic going on, there was several times with reservations made the week or even day before but generally yes, a year reservation in advance was needed. I hardly can find a good state park with everything unless it's a 3 month in advance reservation. I plan on making some reservations next month though.
Beautiful places but forget it in the winter months. Book 6 months in advance and just maybe, you’ll get a spot.
Love Jolly Roger rv park
Beautiful and nice amenities
I love the Keys... thanks for sharing 😊
Hello Campendium.
My first time in the Florida Keys was in May of this year. LOVED IT! I went all the way to MM 1. I Stayed at Boyd's Campground. It was amazing from the time I checked in, to the time I checked out. I'm headed back in October, same place. Thank you for the video on the other State Parks.
Love to hear it! If you haven't left a review for Boyd's or the other places you stayed yet, we'd love for you to do so 😀: www.campendium.com/boyds-key-west-campground -Liz
Same place? Too much to see before you die to keep going back to the same place
@@HelpfulRebelsTV Oh. I will be seeing so much more. I was just saying that I'd go back to Boyd's because it was just so beautiful. Then leave, and journey on.
The trick is getting a reservation in these spots! We are planning our time there now and have had difficulty finding availability. Can’t wait to explore when we get there.
Hi Elementary Explorers - No kidding! Florida state park reservations open 11 months in advance and we've found that they usually sell out the moment they become available so mark your calendar and set your alarm clock!
Campendium And what day is that? The first of every month?
The campground at Long Key is closed for construction but walk-in tent camping has been made available. 8/31/2020.
Really, is there no reservation? I want to go tent camping there and i called and they said to go on the website
We stayed at Jolly Roger, Great park
I'm new to Rv camping can staying by the ocean cause rust to develop on your RV would love to stay by the water
Hi Lance - Long term camping by the ocean will be hard on your rig. When we went camped in Florida in our first Airstream it got pitted from the salt water spray. You probably don't want to stay too long and consider washing your RV after camping at the beach.
So excited to check all these out! Thank you!
Enjoy! - Liz
Great video...inspiring and informative. thanks
Long Key has been closed forever due to reconstruction after a hurricane last year. Supposed to reopen in Jan but who knows....
Lazy Lakes RV park is open and may have spaces. Lower middle keys.
Blue water is great
I love the Keys but the State Parks are always booked a year in advance. The private RV parks could easily cost $150 a night with a minimum 5 night booking. Blue Water RV Park is beautiful but costly. Take kayaks and bicycles.
Blue water is amazing
Long key is closed...key largo need reservations way in advance..bahia honda was only partially open chk before you go
With growing up in the keys, I hate being around the salt water and the heat. People thinks salt water is great for the skin but overtime, it dries and damages skin over years. I myself prefer the natural springs in the woods more. However there was nice camping offers in the keys last year with for the first time without making a reservation made a year or more in advance. Last time I checked the prices in the keys with my military discount ranged from $16 to $18 a night which is nice however.
Big Pine key fishing lodge was my favorite while tent camping this spring. Most of the stats parks weren’t open for camping yet.
You have to book these places at least a year in advance unless you get real lucky. Then they are outrageously expensive.
Ty
Thank you
You're welcome!
Keys are awesome, but getting pretty used up by the tourism. The quiet escape from the real world that older folks remember from 30-40 years ago is gone. Good video though.
Great information thanks. What would you say would be the average price?
Hi Ian, prices vary depending on if it's a state park or a private RV park - you can see recent prices and filter by price here: www.campendium.com/florida-keys
I have been camping in Florida. Most recently I stayed at Devil's Den.
Thinking of trying the keys soon. Thanks for the video.
Try myakka. Not on the coast more of a rainforest/real Florida experience.
Yes sir..
👍
I love the Keys. I was lucky to have been stationed at Boca Chica (Key West) at the end of my Navy time. Great place to stay. However - the mosquitos are aggressive there. However you camp I'd make sure I protected myself from the pesky mosquitos.
It looks like Long Key will be closed for another year. Totally wiped out in the hurricane.
I lived in south Florida for a couple of decades. I know the keys backwards. There is nowhere to park other than campsites and parks. So if you do that bring a big wad of cash. It is EXPENSIVE. Believe me the novelty of winter sun and palm trees gets old in about a week. If you are older and are into boondocking and just want the warmth there are other options. The Keys are an endless series of arty farty stores, greasy spoon joints charging top dollar for crappy burgers and various other places that are there purely to extract money from you. People are not particularly friendly and places like Duval, Captain Tony's, Sloppy Joe etc are packed and super dear. Every time I went asked myself why I kept doing this. Having said that the museums and some of the sights are worth doing in KW. It is an interesting place. The sunset parties have turned into mini carnivals every night. When I went fishing I'd sleep in my minivan on an inflatable mattress in a friends yard on Pine Key. Don't dare sleep in a van on the street because the cops are ruthless and the fines are wicked.
The keys are great! Cheap spots if you know where to look
Thanks for the video!
Thanks 😊
Nice information. The Keys is on our bucket list.
Thanks
well said
After reviewing rates and availability of the parks you mention, I can neither afford the cost nor the time it takes to get a site. For me, camping is about a level of spontaneity and not planning months in advance. Thanks Florida, but I’ll pass.
DL Mac FYI: Florida includes areas besides the Keys. The Keys are actually Islands.
Unfortunately you are right. What is available is expensive.
@@bobgil3464 Florida and Cali...might be the two most rv unfriendly states in the union...dunno
Long Key State Park was devastated by Hurricane Irma 9/17. There are no longer any campsites left. So sad.
Judy Barrett this is true! Was looking for this comment
I love The Keys!!
Giving us expert advice about places he's yet to go. LOL
Long Key State Park appears to be currently closed.
Yeah, looks like it's closed through the end of the year. :(
I stealth camped in the keys for about six weeks a few years back in a 2006 toyota sienna. Had a great time, snorkeling, paddle boarding, hanging out on the beach. I would work out in the evenings at the little park in key west by the beach with pull up bars and stuff. Solitude is not hard to find once you get out on the water. A six week vacation in the keys for around 500 dollars, food gas and everything. I pity the masses, I really do.
Not accurate or current information. Nearly all the keys were affected by the hurricane last year and recovery has been slow. These aren’t current pictures.
Wish you would have shared the prices for each place...
Hi Troy - we show last reported price on the campground pages for each location on Campendium, however, we always recommend calling as prices do change! 😊
Westside faces the Gulf of Mexico. Eastside faces the Atlantic Ocean.
Talk about. Ramp and boat slips
I'm looking to backpack/hammock camp in June for 5 days,if any one could help or offer information it would be amazingly appreciated!!
Be sure to check out the links with more specific information on the places mentioned in this video, above. Then, head over to www.campendium.com and use the search and filter features to find even more awesome campsites! Happy camping 🏝
What park is it that the gorgeous silver Airstream is parked on (right on the beach and surrounded by palms) about a quarter of the way into the video? Gorgeous!
If you go camping in the keys beware of rabid deer ,foaming at the mouth,with rabies ,thousands of them,just have a machine gun and you’ll be safe
How about broke rvers
Big bucks not many places!!!
"Long Key State Park" I was sitting in a lawn chair one night watching the full moon with a light wind blowing the palm tree. I was only about 20 feet from the Atlantic Ocean. It was so perfect, until a Big Rat jumped in the lawn chair with me. Long Key is infested with RATS !!!!!
Hi Keith, that's super gross!!
Some guy standing there telling you how great it is.
Maine is so much better in the winter no long lines of people just were your woollys lol
At least spelling isn't a big concern in Maine.
Hope you enjoy mosquitos and super humidity. Oh, and it's a giant tourist trap. Keylime pies are frozen and made in China.
What about what 1000 a month
Is it open now?
Monroe County (The Florida Keys) is open to travel, yes! Just be sure to call ahead to any park you're interested in staying at to confirm their status/rules/regulations! Happy camping - Liz
There's still some places to hide when camping but there's no view to anything worthwhile. You have to spend some money for a place along the water.
Are all these "Paid Sites Only" or are any of them free sites?
These are paid sites. We have a video on free camping in Florida here: th-cam.com/video/dlpLRm0PIKk/w-d-xo.html If you're interested in free camping in general, check out: www.campendium.com/free-camping
Neither of the places mentioned in key west are in key west.why be misleading?
Key West was mentioned at the very end. And all the ones he mentioned are considered to be in the "keys" which is considered to start on the very first island.
@@yankeesusa1 listen carefully.the places he said were in key west are not in key west.there "up the keys" as we say here IN KEY WEST.take it from me iv been here over 20 year's
the Florida keys is right up my ally but camping is not ha ha ha richard in south florida
Really? No mention of Boyd's Campground. Next time please include the best campground in the Keys!
If you haven't shared your review of Boyd's yet, be sure to head over to www.campendium.com and tell the community about your experience there! 💭 -Liz
💜😇💜
I wouldn't recommend Blue Water Key RV park to my worst enemy. They are a very unsavory bunch and practice bait and switch! They tell you one thing and do quite another. Not a nice place.
I like Blue Water Key RV park but it is expensive.
Isn't it hurricane season?
According to Wikipedia, 2018 hurricane season ends on 11/30. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_Atlantic_hurricane_season :)
NO
Any boondocking opportunities?
Unfortunately, there isn't any free camping in the Keys, but there are a lot of options in Florida: www.campendium.com/florida/free-camping
Yes up in Maine come up now!!
City and County Laws is very strict overnight camping in parking lots. It would be diffecult to boondock in the keys.
Billy Darico
Too cold in the late Fall and Winter...!
Goan feeja 2 my gaydoh
didn’t help me at all
If you're looking for more camping options in the Keys - or anywhere in the U.S. or Canada - head over to www.campendium.com to search and review! Happy camping - Liz
This video is not accurate