Where To Tent Camp In Key West?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Throughout the Florida Keys, and especially in Key West,

there are not any places where you can pitch a tent

, or park a normal car to sleep, without being disturbed by the police. Formal campgrounds are the only places where you can legally camp.

Where can I camp for free in Key West?

Located near Marathon, about halfway down the Overseas Highway between Key Largo and Key West,

Curry Hammock State Park

is one of your best options for boondocking on the islands. Sites have electrical hookups, but no water or sewer, which helps to keep its fee lower than most of the campgrounds on the Keys.

Where do you pitch a tent in the Keys?

  1. Boyd`s Key West Campground. Source.
  2. Sugarloaf Key West Koa. Source. …
  3. Bahia Honda State Park. Source. …
  4. Long Key State Park. Source. …
  5. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Source. …

How much does it cost to tent camp in Key West?

Far from wilderness , and it's expensive, but you don't have many choices this close to Key West.

Waterfront tent sites in season (Oct 15-April 30) are $87, interior sites are $69. Off-season, waterfront tent sites are $71, interior sites are $61

. (2019 rates) Discounts are offered if you book a full week.

Can I sleep on the beach in Key West?


It's against the law to sleep on the ground or in a vehicle anywhere in the state of Florida unless you are registered in a campsite

. Or you will get a free ride to spend the night on a hard bunk behind bars.

Can I sleep in my car in Key West?


Do NOT sleep in your car in The Keys

. It is illegal and strictly enforced. You could be arrested.

Is Boondocking legal in Florida?

Is There Boondocking in Florida?

Yes, there is!

What is the meaning of Boondocking?

Sometimes referred to as “dry camping,” boondocking is

any time you camp in your RV without water, sewer, or electrical connections

. That can take the form of parking your rig deep in the backcountry or pulling over at a highway rest stop.

What beach in Florida can you camp on?


Biscayne National Park

You can discover this undeveloped, scenic group of islands close to the booming city of Miami. Although most of the park is underwater, there are two islands of note – Elliott Key and Boca Chita Key – where Florida beach camping is permitted.

Can you camp in a tent in Florida?

Florida's state parks have plenty of options for camping throughout the state.

Full-facility campsites for tent campers and RVers

include water, electricity, a grill and picnic table, along with centralized showers, restrooms and dump station. Maximum RV lengths vary by park.

Can I camp in the Keys?


Anyone can find a style of camping in the Florida Keys that is suited to their needs

. From primitive tent camping, rustic RV camping, or full service luxury RV resorts and campgrounds offering all the amenities you can think of! Think restaurants, heated pools, boat docks, oceanfront views, and more.

Can you camp on the islands in the Keys?

You do need to be careful about where you go camping in the Florida Keys, however. Like other Florida camping destinations,

camping is prohibited on all publicly-owned islands in the various National Wildlife Refuges within the Keys

, which cover about 400,000 acres.

How can I camp for free in Florida?

  1. Always leave no trace.
  2. Be bear aware.
  3. Minimize waste.
  4. Do not camp within 100 feet of a water source.
  5. Select a previously used primitive site to minimize environmental impact whenever possible.
  6. Adhere to local campfire restrictions.

Can you camp anywhere in Florida?

Can You Camp Anywhere In Florida?

The Sunshine State actually provides many opportunities for camping in Florida: state parks, national parks, city parks, beaches, recreational areas, and even private campgrounds

. It is important, however, to do your homework before just walking around and setting up a tent!

Can you uber in Key West?

Thanks to a change in Florida state law, ride share, is now legal in Key West;

Uber and LYFT are both in operation

.

Can you sleep outside in Key West?

In Key West,

overnight parking is not allowed in most public and private parking lots

. If you try to park in a supermarket lot or beach lot, someone will wake you up in the middle of the night to kick you out. The only place left are residential streets. Fortunately, there is plenty of parking there.

Can you park your car in Key West?

Options include

metered street parking, non-metered street parking, City owned pay lots and garages, and non-city owned pay lots and garages

.

Can you camp for free in the Florida Keys?


There is no free camping in the Florida Keys

, but it's such a spectacular spot, it's worth the splurge on a state park campground or RV park!

Can you live in a van in Key West?

What is the prettiest Florida Key?

  • Key West – Fort Zachary Taylor State Park. …
  • Big Pine Key – National Key Deer Refuge. …
  • Marathon – Bahia Honda State Park. …
  • Marathon – Seven Mile Bridge. …
  • Pigeon Key. …
  • Islamorada – Florida Bay. …
  • Key Largo – John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.

Is it illegal to live in your car in Florida?

The Law on Sleeping in Your Car in Florida


There is no federal law that prohibits motorists from sleeping inside their vehicle

. However, in Florida, drivers are only allowed to sleep inside their vehicle for a maximum of three hours. You are not allowed to park overnight and sleep in your vehicle.

Can you live in a tent in Florida?

Even if you own the land,

you cannot legally live in a tent

. In the eyes of the law, living full-time in such conditions is equal to sleeping in a car in a parking lot, thus, you are considered homeless.

Can I sleep on the beach in Florida?

Under Florida law,

each city ordinance against nighttime beach sleeping or trespassing is a third-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to a $500 fine and up to 60 days in jail

.

Is there any BLM land in Florida?

Well,

BLM Land camping in Florida is non-existent

. But you have plenty of other opportunities to explore. While talking about camping in Florida, there is no need to discuss BLM in-depth but I want to point out a few important things just as a comparison to the public land management in Florida.

What is stealth camping?

Stealth camping is

camping without being noticed

. Some people do this in urban areas, while some venture into wild locations. Sometimes the camping is considered legal, while other times it's illegal (which we don't recommend!). For many, it's done thinking it's easier to get forgiveness than permission.

What is a Boondocker person?

Boondockers are

frugal people who love the challenge of living with less, repurposing things, and not having to spend money of stuff they don't need

.

What is off grid camping?

Camping off-grid has been around forever. Also known as dispersed camping, dry camping, boondocking, off the grid camping are other names for

camping without hookups including electric, water or sewage

. It's a way to be close to the action, away from it all (and everyone) or to save on camping fees.

Kim Nguyen
Author
Kim Nguyen
Kim Nguyen is a fitness expert and personal trainer with over 15 years of experience in the industry. She is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and has trained a variety of clients, from professional athletes to everyday fitness enthusiasts. Kim is passionate about helping people achieve their fitness goals and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.