Forest camping near Miami with fishing
Explore white sand beaches, coral reefs, and the wild Everglades during a Miami camping trip.
- Miami
Popular camping styles for Miami
Dog-friendly getaways
3 top forest campgrounds near Miami with fishing
Forest camping near Miami with fishing guide
Overview
Although famous for its culture and nightlife, Miami’s access to extraordinary tropical nature makes it an underrated camping destination. Beyond the white sands of South Beach, Miami is close to Caribbean coral reefs off the Florida Keys, undeveloped island beaches, and one of the most unique ecosystems on earth, the Florida Everglades. All of these spots are worth a visit the next time you’re looking to pitch a tent or park the RV. After all, where else but the Miami area could you swim alongside tropical fish, paddle with manatees, hike through alligator country, and drink cafecito outside your tent flap? The region’s warm weather makes it a camping oasis year-round.
Where to go
Miami Surrounds
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park on Key Biscayne is a great natural alternative to Miami Beach. This park has white-sand beaches below swaying palms, calm emerald waters, a historic lighthouse, and not a condo in sight. Although the park is for day-use only, another natural gem in Miami that does offer camping is Oleta River State Park. This tropical hammock and mangrove forest park has kayaking and canoeing rentals right on Biscayne Bay. The local Larry & Penny Thompson Park and Campground also has RV and tent camping and biking trails in Miami city limits. RV campers will also find RV parks with full hookups and wifi around Miami, Hollywood, and Homestead.
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
About an hour south of Miami on Key Largo lies John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. This undersea park contains 70 nautical miles of clear Caribbean waters and coral reefs brimming with tropical fish. Guided boat tours lead snorkeling and scuba diving trips to these incredible underwater sites, and the park has a campground, too.
Biscayne National Park
Biscayne National Park is a wild water and island paradise just south of Miami. You’ll need a boat to access it, but the peace and solitude you’ll find at the Boca Chita Key or Elliott Key campgrounds is unrivaled in South Florida.
Everglades National Park
The Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center to Everglades National Park is an hour southeast of Miami. Here, visitors can see alligators and anhinga along boardwalk hikes or survey the vast expanse of the Everglades from a number of lookouts. The Long Pine Key Campground has campsites with picnic tables, fire rings, and restrooms, while the park’s Flamingo section also has a campground.
When to go
Miami's tropical climate makes the area good for camping year-round, but it’s especially nice during winter when much of the rest of the country is cold. Book well in advance when planning winter or spring break camping trips. Summer is hot and humid in Miami, so campers may be most comfortable in setups with AC or a fan. Summer rain showers also necessitate good rain protection, especially given that summer and fall are the Atlantic hurricane season. Keep an eye on the National Hurricane Center’s forecasts for any approaching storms.
