The Florida Keys are chock-full of excellent places to camp, which is one of the reasons this string of islands off the southern tip of Florida has some of the most popular destinations for RVers, especially in winter.
Bahia Honda State Park stands out as one of the Keys’ most loved destinations among RVers and tent campers. Bahia Honda is pronounced “Bah-EE-ah OWN-dah” in Spanish, but if you want to sound like a local, pronounce it “BAY-ah HON-da.” Its name means “deep bay,” so it should not come as a surprise that this park is full of opportunities for water recreation — even non-waterfront campsites are close to the water. RVs and tents line the water surrounding the campground, as do boats, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards, which guests can launch directly from waterfront sites. Most campers do some snorkeling or fishing during their stay, and it’s not uncommon to see guests emerging from the water carrying live lobsters to cook for dinner.
In other areas of the park are beaches and views of the famous Seven Mile Bridge. Sandbars and shallow areas make this an ideal place for snorkeling and viewing sea life, including stingrays, horseshoe crabs and a variety of fish.
Tip: As with many campgrounds in the Keys, this park fills up quickly, so make reservations early. Online reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance.
WHAT: Bahia Honda State Park
WHERE: 36850 Overseas Highway, Big Pine Key, FL 33043
KNOWN FOR: Fishing, snorkeling, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, beach activities. Kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and snorkeling equipment can be rented at the park.
MORE INFO: www.floridastateparks.org/park/Bahia-Honda or 305-872-2353
