Where to stay in the Keys? I found a place!

[MommaMia]

We are trying to plan a Florida Keys trip for April.  Call me crazy but it's making me physically sick to think we are going to have to pay in the neighborhood of $60 a night to camp there!  We need some help finding a place to stay.

We need a place that allows pets... have an 8 lb dog that's going to go with us.  We also need electric for ac.  We'd like to find someplace with a beach on site.  Otherwise we are REALLY flexible.  I don't mind roughing it a bit.

Anyone out there know a good place for us to camp?

[Papaso]

Any of the State park campgrounds in the Keys are really great, our favorite is Long Key. The sites are right on the ocean. Any of the sites in the 50's are nice, 50,51,52 being our favorites close the restroom and showers. Long Key is about 15 mins. north of Marathon if your looking for relaxation, exploration and beauty Long Key is the place. If your looking for a little more excitement Bahia Honda SP is just outside of Key west and is also very beautiful, just stay out of site # 27 smallest, narrowest site I've ever seen or camped at. John Pennekamp SP is north of Long key with great reef diving and much to see under the sea, but the campground is not one of my favorites, right on top of each other and not much to see from the sites. I'm not into the private campgrounds, I'm really into our State Parks but I've heard both good and bad things about American outdoors just north of Long Key but I've never seen past the gates as we drive by. There are many wonderful State parks in our great camp all year round State we've been to most of them on the Penninsula from Anastasia to Bahia Honda on the East coast and from Lake Manatee south on the West coast and everywhere in between check them out at www.floridastateparks.org. Let us know when your comming down it would be nice to meet you and your family

[Papaso]

Don't know what happened but if you click and scroll you can read the text I wrote ?

[MommaMia]

If I click reply I can read what you wrote.   When this happens, go back to that post and edit out the  color code that is there (the #f1f1f1 code, begin and end) It makes the text invisible.  I'll edit in this rely so you can see it.

Thanks for the suggestions but the SP cgs are all full with nothing reservable.  Each cg does have some non-reservable first come first serve sites and we could get luck and find one open but the other problem is no pets are allowed at any of the sp cgs in the Keys.  I'll keep this review of the cgs for future use though!  

We'd love to meet with you sometime!  We live in Jacksonville.  What trips do you have planned?  

Any of the State park campgrounds in the Keys are really great, our favorite is Long Key. The sites are right on the ocean. Any of the sites in the 50's are nice, 50,51,52 being our favorites close the restroom and showers. Long Key is about 15 mins. north of Marathon if your looking for relaxation, exploration and beauty Long Key is the place. If your looking for a little more excitement Bahia Honda SP is just outside of Key west and is also very beautiful, just stay out of site # 27 smallest, narrowest site I've ever seen or camped at. John Pennekamp SP is north of Long key with great reef diving and much to see under the sea, but the campground is not one of my favorites, right on top of each other and not much to see from the sites. I'm not into the private campgrounds, I'm really into our State Parks but I've heard both good and bad things about American outdoors just north of Long Key but I've never seen past the gates as we drive by. There are many wonderful State parks in our great camp all year round State we've been to most of them on the Penninsula from Anastasia to Bahia Honda on the East coast and from Lake Manatee south on the West coast and everywhere in between check them out at www.floridastateparks.org. Let us know when your comming down it would be nice to meet you and your family

[Papaso]

Keep checking there's always cancellations I check every day and usually get a site. As of now we have no plans for our next trip as soon as I get something set up I'll let you know.

[sandykayak]

I agree with Papaso viz SPs, but at this time of year it's hard to get reservations.  I also agree with him on Pennekamp - not at all attractive and no ocean views from the sites.  .... The tourists aren't down in full force...at least not yet.  

For doggies (and I have 2) you need to try the private CGs.

A woman told me that last year American Outdoors in Key Largo was jam-packed and now they have 40 sites available.  do a google   prices are high, tho.  IMO, they have one of the best sandy/swimming beaches in the area.  They also have a snack bar on the premises.

We recently stayed at The Jolly Roger in the middle/lower keys - do a google.  This was in October and all sites were $25.  They said that in November the sites go up to $50.  Our waterfront site was great, good swimming.  its something like //www.jrp.com

I think the best guide is Foghorn Outdoors - Florida Camping.  Amazon carries it.

[Papaso]

Hey Sandy, Great to see you post again. I was wondering where you had gone. Hope all's well with you and yours and Thelma & Louise  

[woodthumb]

I'm with ya Cindy...we don't even pay 60 for Fort Wilderness.  ( actually we have never had to pay more than $35 )We tried to find somethin in Keys last year but ran into either price gouging or all sold out. Gave up and doubt we will ever try again.  24 years in Florida and we have never been down there........ somehow I really don't even care too. Much rather explore north Florida....the REAL Florida. Good luck tho.  Have heard nice things about Bahai Honda.

[2manytoyz]

I agree completely with the comments about Long Key.  We stayed there in 2001 & 2, family illness cancelled our 03 trip, but we're going again July of this year.

Here's some photos of my previous trips there:

http://www.2manytoyz.com/lkey.html

http://2manytoyz.com/lksp2002.html

KEEP checking frequently for cancellations!!!  Things often become available if you're persistent.

[sandykayak]

Hey Sandy, Great to see you post again. I was wondering where you had gone. Hope all's well with you and yours and Thelma & Louise  

i've been busy on the "retire in Mexico" forums.....  you (and anyone else in the south florida area) are welcome to subscribe to "my" South Florica Campers group - free on yahoo! groups.  or have you subscribed already?   Not much action there but I keep hoping that people will post.  I'm doind the flea market till April and then closing it out cos business is slo anyway.

to keep on topic....i grabbed my Foghorn Outdoors and can vouch for Lazy Lakes Camping Resort (gets a 6 out of poss 10 pts rating) on Sugarloaf Key on MM 19.8 - that means it's almost 20 miles north of Key West.

It's private but has a salt-water lagoon.  each site also has a shaded picnic table.  we were waterfront and could swim in the lake.  they also let resident campers use their double kayaks for free and that represents several dollars.  We paid $35 a night during Nov. a couple of years ago. The guide says $28 - 51 and my books is an '01 edition.

I believe they were bought out by a camping resort chain but it's not like a concrete RV park.

The phone number is 305 745 1079 or 800 354 5524

[FL Crackers]

You might want to check out Knights Key.

http://www.keysdirectory.com/knightskeycampground/

It is right at the base of the Seven-Mile bridge so don't miss your turn. It's not as scenic as most of Florida's state parks, but hey -- you're in the Keys and they allow pets.

[MommaMia]

Here is where we are staying....

http://www.agent35.com/flkeys/11-9091.jpg

http://www.agent35.com/flkeys/10-9093.jpg

Sunshine Key Resort is a camping RV resort on it's own "private" island.

Standard site with water and elec(30 amp) runs $54/night.  If you stay a week it's discounted to $46.29 night.

They also have full hook up sites for $64 a night.

They also offer waterfront sites with hook-ups for $74/night but those are first come, first serve.


They have everything we could need... pool, laundry, store, services, and they allow pets.  Can't wait!

[MommaMia]

You might want to check out Knights Key.

http://www.keysdirectory.com/knightskeycampground/

It is right at the base of the Seven-Mile bridge so don't miss your turn. It's not as scenic as most of Florida's state parks, but hey -- you're in the Keys and they allow pets.

Knight's Key looks nice but they don't start taking reservations for April until some time in March.  I didn't want to wait so long and risk not finding a place.

[jstaddwtr]

MommaMia,

Soooooo glad you asked this question!!!!!!!.  We had given up even thinking about the keys at this late date, but thanks to your thread, we were able to find something during the week of April 4th to our satisfaction.  So now all we need is good weather!

After the snow and cold we have been getting this year, we are really looking forward to some sun.  

Thanks for your assistance!!  Enjoy your vacation!

Dee

[MommaMia]

MommaMia,

Soooooo glad you asked this question!!!!!!!.  We had given up even thinking about the keys at this late date, but thanks to your thread, we were able to find something during the week of April 4th to our satisfaction.  So now all we need is good weather!

After the snow and cold we have been getting this year, we are really looking forward to some sun.  

Thanks for your assistance!!  Enjoy your vacation!

Dee

Dee... where are you going to camp?