Everglades National Park
For the hard core outdoor enthusiast, Everglades National Park offers myriad wilderness experiences. Everglades National Park has two RV campsites, both of which can accommodate RVs: Long Pine Key and Flamingo campgrounds. Long Pine Key campground has 108 sites, while Flamingo, which is deeper into the park than Long Pine Key, has 234, some with a water view. Both sites are close to hiking, canoe, kayak and bike trails as well as fishing opportunities (fishing license required.) From May through November, the park does not charge a fee for camping. However, the conditions during these hot, wet months make for rough camping.
Everglades National Park has several entrances. The Ernest Coe Visitor Center is just outside Miami in Homestead, which was one of the communities dramatically devastated by Hurricane Andrew in 1992. This visitor center has a gift shop, restrooms, interactive displays, and a local art collection. The visitor's center is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day
Everglades National Park- Ernest Coe Visitor Center
40001 State Road 9336
Homestead, FL 33034-6733
(305) 242-7700
www.nps.gov/ever
Miami Everglades Campground
If you want an RV campground with a few more amenities, the Miami Everglades Campground offers a pool, playground, Wi-Fi, a hot tub, and shuffleboard--all on the edge of the Everglades. This campground also offers bikes for guests to use as well as a grill and a fully stocked camp store.
Campgrounds like these are an ideal compromise for families where not everyone revels in the wilderness; the Everglades are close, but less adventurous campers will find plenty to do all day at the campsite.
Miami Everglades Campground
20675 Southwest 162nd Avenue
Miami, FL 33187
(305) 233-5300
www.miamicamp.com
Larry and Penny Thompson Park
Located next to Miami's renowned MetroZoo, Larry and Penny Thompson Park lets nature lovers explore Miami's natural side with horse, hiking, and biking trails. This campsite has 240 sites, all with RV hookups. Amenities include hot showers, laundry facilities, a camp store, playground, pool, and a freshwater lake. The lake has a beach and a water slide (open seasonally). This park has a concession stand as well as picnic shelters.
12451 SW 184 Street
Miami, FL 33177
(305) 232-1049
http://www.miamidade.gov/parks/parks/larry_penny.asp
Caution
Keep in mind that while many sites allow pets, alligators are more populous than people in many parts of Florida, especially the areas surrounding the Everglades. Be sure to supervise your pets at all times while in the area.
