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Florida Keys State Park RV Camping and Fishing Guide
Florida Keys state park RV camping can give anglers something private RV resorts cannot always match.
You can camp near the water, fish before breakfast, launch a kayak, spend the afternoon on a beach, and still have your own RV waiting a short walk away.
Several Florida Keys state parks allow RV camping.
But they are not all the same.
One has full hookups and a deep-water boat ramp.
Another works especially well for kayaks but does not allow launching motorized boats.
Another has waterfront campsites, a marina, and strict size limits depending on which campground loop you reserve.
If fishing is a major part of your trip, those details matter.
Here is how the main Florida Keys state parks compare for RV travelers who want to fish.
Which Florida Keys State Parks Allow RV Camping?
Three of the most useful state parks for RV anglers are:
- John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo
- Curry Hammock State Park in Marathon
- Bahia Honda State Park in the Lower Keys
Long Key State Park also has camping, but it is not currently an RV campground.
Its current camping setup is hike-in and tent-only, and as of late 2026 its primitive camping area is temporarily closed for construction.
That makes Pennekamp, Curry Hammock, and Bahia Honda the three main state-park choices for this RV fishing guide.
Why Choose a State Park Instead of a Private RV Resort?
Private Florida Keys RV parks may offer more amenities.
You may get:
- Pool
- Marina
- Boat slips
- Clubhouse
- Laundry
- Resort activities
- Full hookups
State parks tend to be more basic.
But they can give you:
- Natural surroundings
- Lower nightly rates
- Beach or shoreline access
- Kayak launches
- Fishing access
- Wildlife
- Less of a resort atmosphere
For anglers who would rather wake up near mangroves or the Atlantic than beside a clubhouse, that tradeoff can be worth it.
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
Best for Full-Hookup RV Camping and Boaters
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is in Key Largo at Mile Marker 102.5.
For RV travelers who want both camping and boat access, Pennekamp has the strongest overall setup of the three parks.
Current park information lists 42 reservable campsites.
Each has:
- 30-amp electrical service
- 50-amp electrical service
- 110-volt electrical outlet
- Water hookup
- Sewer hookup
- Picnic table
- Grill
Most sites can handle RVs up to about 40 feet, with a few sites accommodating slightly longer rigs.
That full-hookup setup separates Pennekamp from many state-park campgrounds.
Fishing at John Pennekamp
Fishing is allowed from three designated shoreline areas.
Boat fishing is also allowed in park waters, subject to protected zones and current fishing regulations.
Ask at the ranger station where shore fishing is permitted.
Do not assume every shoreline or beach inside the park is open to fishing.
The surrounding waters include:
- Mangroves
- Seagrass
- Channels
- Atlantic water
- Reef habitat farther offshore
That can give visiting anglers several different options.
Bringing a Boat to Pennekamp
Pennekamp has a deep-water boat ramp at its marina.
The current park information says the ramp can handle most boats up to 36 feet.
There is also:
- Marina access
- Overnight boat slips
- Mooring buoys in Largo Sound
- Boat rentals
That makes Pennekamp particularly attractive if you are bringing both an RV and fishing boat.
Important Pennekamp Boat-Ramp Update
There is one current issue you need to know about.
As of November 2026, construction has temporarily closed one of the park’s two boat ramps.
Boat-trailer parking has also been significantly reduced.
That could make launching more difficult during busy periods.
If your entire trip depends on launching your own boat from Pennekamp, check the current construction status before you arrive.
Official park information:
https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/john-pennekamp-coral-reef-state-park
Pennekamp Boat Trailer Parking
Even under normal conditions, boat trailer parking can fill.
The park currently lists 40 boat-trailer parking spaces and warns that they may fill before noon on weekends and holidays.
Construction has reduced that capacity further.
For anglers, that means early starts can matter for more than fishing.
They can matter for parking.
How Much Is John Pennekamp Camping?
The current base camping rate is $36 per night plus tax, reservation fees, and applicable utility charges.
Florida State Parks currently adds a nightly utility fee for RV units.
Rates can change.
Check the reservation system for your exact travel dates before budgeting the trip.
Who Should Choose Pennekamp?
Pennekamp makes the most sense if you want:
- Full RV hookups
- Upper Keys location
- Boat-ramp access
- Reef and offshore opportunities
- Shore fishing
- Kayaking
- Easy access from mainland South Florida
It is especially convenient for RV travelers who do not want to drive all the way to the Middle or Lower Keys.
Curry Hammock State Park
Best for Kayak Fishing and Quiet Middle Keys Camping
Curry Hammock State Park sits near Marathon in the Middle Keys.
This is a much smaller campground than many private RV resorts.
There are only 28 campsites.
Each currently includes:
- Gravel pad
- Water
- 20-amp electric
- 30-amp electric
- 50-amp electric
- Picnic table
- Charcoal grill
- Hammock posts
The campground also has a dump station and bathhouse with hot showers.
There is no sewer hookup at individual campsites.
How Big an RV Can Curry Hammock Handle?
The current maximum RV length is 70 feet.
That gives Curry Hammock more large-rig flexibility than many people expect from a small Florida Keys state park.
Still, confirm your exact campsite dimensions when reserving.
A park maximum does not mean every individual site works equally well for every RV.
Fishing at Curry Hammock
Fishing is allowed within the park under current Florida fishing regulations.
The park protects:
- Mangrove habitat
- Seagrass beds
- Shallow flats
- Coastal shoreline
- Channels
That makes it particularly appealing for anglers interested in lighter tackle and shallow-water fishing.
Possible fishing styles include:
- Shore fishing
- Kayak fishing
- Paddle fishing
- Wading where permitted and safe
Curry Hammock Is Excellent for Kayak Anglers
This may be the strongest state-park choice for RV travelers who bring kayaks.
The park has a canoe and kayak launch.
You can access shallow coastal water without towing a boat to a public ramp.
That gives you opportunities to fish:
- Mangrove edges
- Flats
- Channels
- Protected shallow water
Watch the wind carefully.
Florida Keys kayak fishing can become difficult quickly when conditions change.
Can You Launch a Powerboat at Curry Hammock?
No.
This is the biggest limitation for anglers bringing a motorized fishing boat.
Current park rules specifically prohibit launching powerboats or other motorized vessels from Curry Hammock.
If you are towing an offshore boat or center console, this is probably not the campground to choose solely for fishing convenience.
You would need to use another nearby ramp.
Official park information:
https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/curry-hammock-state-park
Who Should Choose Curry Hammock?
Curry Hammock makes the most sense for:
- Kayak anglers
- Shore anglers
- RV travelers booking local charters
- People who want a quieter campground
- Travelers who prefer Marathon as a central base
- Anglers who do not need an on-site powerboat ramp
It is also well positioned for accessing other Marathon fishing.
That includes:
- Reef charters
- Offshore trips
- Bridge fishing
- Party boats
- Backcountry trips
Use our Marathon Fishing Guide to plan fishing outside the park.
Bahia Honda State Park
Best for Lower Keys Scenery, Waterfront Sites and Marina Access
Bahia Honda State Park is one of the best-known state parks in the Florida Keys.
For RV anglers, it also offers one of the most interesting combinations of camping, marina access, shoreline, and Lower Keys location.
But site selection matters a lot.
Bahia Honda has several different camping areas.
They are not interchangeable.
Buttonwood Campground
Buttonwood is the main choice for larger RVs.
Sites 1 through 48 accommodate everything from tents to large RVs.
Current amenities include:
- Electricity
- Water
- Picnic table
- Grill
- Bathhouse
- Hot showers
- Dump station
Waterfront sites currently include sites 12 through 25.
Sites 12 and 13 are near the campers’ marina.
Site 14 is on the channel.
Those sites can be especially attractive for anglers who want to stay close to the water.
Sandspur Campground
Sandspur has a much stricter RV limit.
The current maximum rig length is 23 feet from hitch to bumper.
The campground has tight turns that larger RVs cannot safely navigate.
If you have:
- Large travel trailer
- Fifth wheel
- Class A
- Larger Class C
Sandspur probably will not work.
Do not reserve it just because the park itself allows large RVs elsewhere.
Bayside Campground
Bayside is even more restrictive for RV travelers.
It has only eight primitive non-electric sites.
To reach it, vehicles must pass beneath the Bahia Honda Bridge.
The current overhead clearance is only 6 feet 8 inches.
That makes it unsuitable for most RVs.
This is one of those details that can completely ruin a trip if you miss it during booking.
Bahia Honda Marina
Bahia Honda has a protected marina with 19 boat slips.
Current marina information lists:
- Water
- Electricity
- Pump-out
- Overnight slips
- 4.5-foot controlling depth
That can work well for some fishing boats.
But draft matters.
If your boat needs more than 4.5 feet of water, this marina is not going to work.
Always confirm current water conditions and marina rules before arrival.
Fishing at Bahia Honda
Fishing is permitted within the park under current Florida regulations.
The park gives you access to Lower Keys water and puts you close to:
- Bridges
- Channels
- Shallow flats
- Backcountry
- Reef charters
- Offshore fishing
You can fish independently or use the park as your RV base for trips farther around the Lower Keys.
Official park information:
https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/bahia-honda-state-park
Bahia Honda for Kayak Fishing
The park has canoe and kayak launching access.
Kayaks can work well around protected shallow areas when weather cooperates.
Potential targets can include:
- Snapper
- Barracuda
- Jacks
- Tarpon
- Other inshore species
Do not paddle into unfamiliar water without checking:
- Wind
- Tide
- Current
- Boat traffic
- Weather
Bahia Honda for Boat Owners
Boat owners have more options here than at Curry Hammock.
But Bahia Honda is not automatically the perfect powerboat campground.
You still need to consider:
- Marina depth
- Slip availability
- Boat size
- Trailer storage
- Ramp access
- RV site size
Call the park if your setup is near any stated limits.
What About Long Key State Park?
Long Key State Park deserves mention because many older Florida Keys camping articles still describe it as an RV camping destination.
That is outdated.
Current state-park information lists its campground as hike-in and tent-only.
There are no electric or water hookups at the campsites.
As of November 2026, primitive camping is also temporarily closed for construction.
Long Key is still worth visiting for:
- Fishing
- Kayaking
- Wildlife
- Shoreline
- Day trips
But it should not currently be part of an RV campground itinerary.
Official park information:
https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/long-key-state-park
Which Florida Keys State Park Is Best for RV Fishing?
It depends on how you fish.
Best for Bringing a Boat
John Pennekamp.
You get full hookups, marina access, and a deep-water ramp.
Just verify the current construction situation before relying on the ramp.
Best for Kayak Fishing
Curry Hammock.
The shallow coastal environment and kayak launch fit paddle anglers well.
Best for Lower Keys Fishing
Bahia Honda.
You are close to Big Pine Key, Lower Keys water, bridges, backcountry, and Key West.
Best for Full Hookups
John Pennekamp.
Water, sewer, and electric hookups make it the most comfortable state-park choice for longer RV stays.
Best for Larger RVs
Curry Hammock currently lists a 70-foot maximum.
Bahia Honda’s Buttonwood loop can also handle larger RVs, but other Bahia Honda loops have much tighter restrictions.
State Park vs. Private RV Resort for Anglers
A private RV resort may make more sense if you need:
- Guaranteed boat slip
- Larger marina
- Fuel dock
- Fish-cleaning station
- Pool
- Resort amenities
- Long-term stay
A state park may make more sense if you value:
- Natural setting
- Lower campground cost
- Shoreline
- Kayaking
- State-park access
- Less resort development
Neither is automatically better.
Choose based on how you plan to fish.
Do Florida Keys State Parks Have Fish-Cleaning Stations?
Do not assume they do.
This is one area where private fishing-oriented RV parks often have an advantage.
If you expect to keep legal fish regularly, ask the park:
- Is there a fish-cleaning station?
- Where can fish legally be cleaned?
- How should fish remains be disposed of?
Do not clean fish at your campsite unless park rules specifically allow it.
Can You Book a Fishing Charter While Staying at a State Park?
Absolutely.
This may be the easiest setup for many RV travelers.
Camp in the park.
Drive your tow vehicle to a nearby marina.
Let the captain provide:
- Boat
- Gear
- Bait
- Fishing knowledge
Then come back to your RV after the trip.
This gives you a state-park camping experience without having to tow and maintain your own fishing boat.
Florida Keys State Parks Can Book Fast
These campgrounds are small.
Curry Hammock has only 28 sites.
Pennekamp has 42 reservable sites.
Bahia Honda is extremely popular.
Florida State Parks currently allows reservations up to 11 months ahead for Florida residents and up to 10 months ahead for non-residents.
If you want a winter RV site in the Keys, booking early makes sense.
Official reservation information:
https://www.floridastateparks.org/reservation-information
Winter Camping and Fishing
Winter is one of the most popular periods for RV travel in the Florida Keys.
It can also be an excellent fishing season.
Possible winter targets include:
- Sailfish
- Blackfin tuna
- Wahoo
- King mackerel
- Snapper
The downside is campground demand.
If you want January or February dates, do not wait until December to start looking.
Spring RV Fishing
Spring can give you a completely different fishing trip.
Possible targets include:
- Tarpon
- Permit
- Bonefish
- Snapper
- Offshore species
It can also be a comfortable time for kayaking and shore fishing before summer heat becomes intense.
Summer RV Fishing
Summer can produce excellent fishing.
Possible targets include:
- Mahi-mahi
- Tarpon
- Snapper
- Bonefish
- Permit
But heat becomes a serious factor.
Make sure your RV air conditioning is working before heading south.
Summer also falls within Atlantic hurricane season.
Build flexibility into reservations and travel plans.
Do You Need a Fishing License?
Usually, yes.
If you are fishing independently from:
- Shore
- Kayak
- Your own boat
you generally need the appropriate Florida recreational saltwater fishing license unless an exemption applies.
Fishing inside a state park does not remove normal fishing-license requirements.
If you are fishing aboard a properly licensed charter, passengers are generally covered by the vessel’s license.
Check current rules before fishing:
https://myfwc.com/license/recreational/visitors/
Fishing Regulations Still Apply Inside State Parks
Camping inside a state park does not change:
- Size limits
- Bag limits
- Seasons
- Gear restrictions
- Protected species rules
Some parks also have their own restricted fishing areas.
Always follow:
- FWC regulations
- Park rules
- Marine sanctuary rules
- Posted signs
If you cannot identify a fish or confirm whether it is legal, release it.
Build a State-Park RV Fishing Route
If you have enough time, you could build an entire Florida Keys RV trip around these three parks.
Stop 1: John Pennekamp
Camp in Key Largo.
Fish shore access.
Take your boat out if conditions and ramp availability allow.
Book a reef charter.
Stop 2: Curry Hammock
Move to Marathon.
Kayak fish.
Try bridge fishing.
Book a Middle Keys charter.
Stop 3: Bahia Honda
Move into the Lower Keys.
Fish shallow water.
Explore Big Pine Key.
Take a Lower Keys charter.
Visit Key West for a day.
That gives you three different fishing regions while staying entirely in Florida state parks.
Which One Would I Choose?
For an angler with an RV but no boat, Curry Hammock and Bahia Honda would be especially attractive because they put you close to several fishing styles without requiring marina infrastructure.
For an angler bringing a fishing boat, John Pennekamp deserves a closer look because of its full hookups and boat ramp.
For a first Florida Keys RV trip, splitting time between Pennekamp and Bahia Honda would give you the biggest geographic contrast.
You would experience both the Upper and Lower Keys without moving every couple of nights.
Plan Your Florida Keys State Park RV Fishing Trip
Start with our Florida Keys RV Fishing guide for the broader trip plan.
If you are towing your own fishing boat, read Florida Keys RV Parks With Boat Ramps.
For a ready-made route, use our 7-Day Florida Keys RV Fishing Itinerary.
Then use the Florida Keys Fishing Calendar to match your travel month with the species you want to target.
You can also use our location guides:
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