Florida Keys

[68 Overlander]

We took our first trip to the Keys in June and just loved it even though it was hot and muggy! We flew in to meet friends so it wasn't an RV trip but we did see plenty of RV parks during our stay and our wheels started spinnin'! We want to go back in Jan and stay in the parks this time so my question is to those who have been there...Which parks do you like? Thanks!
Randy and Lauri

[Mrjkq]

I hope you're referring to January 2018, because 2017 will take an almost miracle to find a site in the Keys.

[68 Overlander]

Good to know and figured as much, thanks! We know its tight and have a backup plan to at least be in the area but going through the motions in case we get lucky.

[white laker]

we stayed at Curry Hammock sp which is in Marathon. Its half way down the keys with about 25 sites. A very nice clean, quiet park. Water and electric hook ups with a dump site. Swimming is fair but that the keys. Lots to do in town. only down side were the "birders" that hang out at the elevated washrooms ALL DAY LONG! Just weird.
Hope this helps
Pete

[Phoenix]

I have heard that the overseas highway to Key West is narrow and slow, especially with an RV.

• Is visiting this key better done without our Airstream in tow, perhaps with a 1-2 day stay in a B&B or motel?
  
  
• Are reservations a year in advance also required for a hotel stay?

[68 Overlander]

Originally Posted by Phoenix

I have heard that the overseas highway to Key West is narrow and slow, especially with an RV.

• Is visiting this key better done without our Airstream in tow, perhaps with a 1-2 day stay in a B&B or motel?
  
  
• Are reservations a year in advance also required for a hotel stay?

There were full sized Class A RV/Bus on the highway both ways, not an issue from what I saw.
I did see some B&Bs but not my plan. I want crispy bacon
We stayed at Tranquility Bay in Marathon and I think they were not full but that was June.

[Jarrod White]

I'll be making my fifth rv trip to the keys in November and sixth in December. I've stayed in all four state parks in the keys and like them all. Long key has all waterfront sites. Bahia Honda has a few waterfront sites and probably the best beach. Curry hammock may be my favorite, however, because it is quiet and peaceful but fairly close to marathon. I always enjoy eating at Key Fisheries there. Pennecamp has small sites but the glass bottom boat tour and kayaking mangroves makes up for it.
If you cannot get in the state parks, look at jolly Rodger which is a private park that participates in passport America so fairly reasonable.
Another option for part of your trip is Larry and penny Thompson park in Miami near the zoo.

[Paddledipper]

We just visited this summer and had no problem towing the Airstream through the keys. We loved Bahia Honda SP and Blue Water RV. Both ends of the wallet are represented there and both are probably hard to come by without reservations made well in advance. Blue Water was a great location for driving the vehicle in and out of Key West to easily see the sights and very well maintained.

[Bruce B]

We have had no problem towing in the Keys at all.
Check with Boyd's on Stock Island near Key West. You are packed in there like sardines but you are there! We've had nice stays Grassy Key RV Resort (or something like that) in Islamorada. We are pretty adept at getting reservations at state and federal campgrounds with the exception of the Keys. There, we stay in commercial campgrounds. One of these days we will get it figured out though.
Bruce
Bruce

[polarlyse]

The road through the Keys is slow if you are towing a trailer. It is also slow if you are not. So, it really doesn't matter. Most of it is 2 lane, straight and 45 mph. So go for it and enjoy.

[AWCHIEF]

I am Retired military so I take advantage of the Navy Family Park facilities in Key West.

[AirEgger]

X2 re Blue Water Key. Stayed there in Jan '15. Very nice park located at the 14 mile marker. Easy trip to KW. Although it's sometimes tough to get a left turn out of Blue Water with the almost constant traffic. Best to leave in the morning.

[68 Overlander]

Originally Posted by AWCHIEF

I am Retired military so I take advantage of the Navy Family Park facilities in Key West.

Being retired Army myself, I thought about that one too. Might not get lucky this winter but still plan to try. Thanks for all the replies.

[n2916s]

The RV park at NAS Key West has never flat out turned anyone away. You may be dry camping but you will be inside the fence in a beautiful place.

I always choose to dry camp at the Sigsbee Point NAS campground as it is staggering, I mean walking, distance to downtown...

[polarlyse]

The Navy base at Key West certainly has turned people away. They have a long history of NOT turning anyone out but beginning 2 winters ago things have changed. No reservations so first come ...... Still a great place but beware .

[tvketchum]

Originally Posted by Phoenix

I have heard that the overseas highway to Key West is narrow and slow, especially with an RV.

• Is visiting this key better done without our Airstream in tow, perhaps with a 1-2 day stay in a B&B or motel?
  
  
  
  
  
• Are reservations a year in advance also required for a hotel stay?
  

The old, narrow road has long since been modernized. All of the old railroad bridges have been replaced by highway bridges in the last several decades. Hotels, motels, private RV parks are not as filled in prime snowbird season as are the State Parks. Pennecamp Coral Reef, Long Key, Curry Hammock and Bahia Honda fill as soon as the eleven month reservation window opens. You can try, and you might beat, others, for a site.

Keep in mind, Miami to Key West is over 120 miles. If you want to enjoy the Keys, book a site in the Keys and make the Airstream your base. You won't regret it.


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

Tom
TVKetchum

[bababouy]

These are all good suggestions. We live about 2 hours north of key largo and are in the process of moving there. Another good spot is the KOA in Big Pine Key. We also have a 68 overlander.

[68 Overlander]

Thanks to you all. We should have started planning earlier but its not the end of the world. Can always plan better for next year if we don't get in this year.

[Mike1997]

The RV Park on the Navy Base in Key West, aka Sigsby Park, only has about 92 sites with hook ups. They have a larger open area for boondockers next to the Coast Guard Base that's walking distance to Mallory Square. Usually they have a 15 day limit on sites then rotate people into the boondock area. If you really want to stay in Key West, I suppose anything is tolerable for awhile