Spread across 270 acres of woodland next to Zoo Miami in Southwest Miami-Dade, Larry and Penny Thompson Memorial Park and Campground is one of Miami’s natural treasures. The park has vast fields of wildflowers, palmettos and rock pinelands and a natural buffer of indigenous avocado, mango and lychee trees.

This park was named after popular Miami Herald columnist Larry Thompson and his wife Penny, a leader in women’s aviation. Both Larry and Penny were advocates for creating more parks and planting more trees and flowers in Miami-Dade County.

Camping

The campground is open daily and has 240 campsites for recreational vehicles as well as an individual tent area. There is a camp store onsite, four large restroom and laundry facilities with hot showers, water and electrical hook-ups for all RVs and complimentary WiFi. Please note that pets are welcome on the campground, but in the RV area only.

Daily, weekly and monthly rentals for groups can be reserved by contacting the park at (305) 232-1049. Individual tent sites do not need to be reserved in advance.

Park Activities

Larry and Penny Thompson Memorial Park and Campground offers plenty of activities for those who love the outdoors. There is a large freshwater lake where visitors and campers can swim, a seasonal beach, multiple picnic shelters, and trails for horseback riding, jogging and biking.

For a peek into history, stop by the campground office and see a display of artifacts honoring the park’s namesake couple. Need the perfect book for your time on the beach? Campers can check out a collection of humor columns and books written by Larry Thompson himself.

Visiting Information

Larry and Penny Thompson Memorial Park and Campground is located. Contact the park ahead of your visit to confirm normal operating hours and amenity availability.