Beach camping near Marathon with campfires
Snorkel through enchanting coral reefs in the Florida Keys while camping near Marathon.
- Marathon
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Beach camping near Marathon with campfires guide
Overview
Spanning 13 islands off the southern tip of Florida, Marathon is set in the heart of the Florida Keys. It’s best known for its barrier reef and breathtaking beaches, offering amazing opportunities to spot loggerhead turtles and colorful sea life. The Dolphin Research Center and Wild Bird Center are great places to learn more about the local wildlife. Tent camping and RV sites at and near Curry Hammock, Bahia Honda, and Long Key State Parks provide easy access to beaches, hiking trails, and big fishing opportunities. Catch tarpon as big as eight feet in length, weighing up to 280 pounds! Anglers can also hook mahi, snapper, and even sailfish.
Where to go
Curry Hammock State Park
Described by locals as “uninhabited, untouched, and unrivaled,” Curry Hammock State Park is on the island of Grassy Key. At over 1,100 acres, it’s the largest uninhabited parcel of land between Key Large and Big Pine Key—paddling and kiteboarding are popular activities. Behind the coral reefs of the Florida Keys are expansive estuaries, which serve as invaluable sanctuaries and nurseries for sea life, so keep a lookout for manatees, starfish, horseshoe crabs, dolphins, and jellyfish. Spacious campsites, including some with an ocean view, offer up to 50-amp hookups for RVs. Other nearby campsite amenities include picnic tables, tent pads, fire pit, and ADA-compliant bathhouses with hot showers.
Bahia Honda State Park
The journey to Bahia Honda State Park from Marathon starts by crossing the Seven Mile Bridge, one of the longest bridges in the U.S. when it originally opened in 1982. Running parallel is an early 1900s bridge that’s open only to cyclists and pedestrians. Once in Bahia Honda State Park on Big Pine Key, Hipcampers can explore hundreds of acres of tropical trees and gin-clear waters. Bring umbrellas or sunshades when visiting the open, sandy beaches. In addition to cabins and campgrounds for small tents and large RVs—including hot showers, full hookups, and picnic tables—nearby boat slips are available for overnight boat camping, including full use of park facilities.
Long Key State Park
Follow the Overseas Highway east out of Marathon to arrive at Long Key State Park. On Long Key, Hipcampers can explore nature trails, take advantage of bountiful fishing opportunities, and relax on the beach. Efforts are ongoing to repair and restore the oceanfront campsites following Hurricane Irma in 2017, but for now, off-grid camping is available via the hike-in, tent-only campsites along the Atlantic Ocean. Expect restrooms, cold outdoor showers, and grills.
When to go
Year-round camping is comfortable in the Florida Keys. During the dry season, usually from November to April, Hipcampers can expect weather that is both cooler and drier, which may make outdoor activities more pleasant. As a bonus, migratory birds are especially abundant near Marathon in the winter as they escape the colder weather to the north. Camping during the summer is possible, but it can be quite hot and humid. Tropical storms and hurricanes during the wet season of May to October can dampen camping opportunities.
