Greater Miami & Miami Beach is known for its Art Deco hotels and glitzy resorts, but it also offers plenty of camping options for visitors who want to get closer to nature and sleep under the stars. Pitch a tent, park your RV or even go glamping to get an immersive experience in the Everglades or one of Miami’s beautiful parks.

Tents at Flamingo Campground — Set up a tent at Flamingo Campground

Everglades National Park

Everglades National Park, the third-largest national park in the lower 48 states, is a sprawling, 7,800-square-mile nature refuge only about an hour from Downtown Miami.

Location highlights: There may be no wilderness more epic than the Everglades when it comes to camping. This lush, subtropical wetland occupies 1.5 million acres of sawgrass prairies, hardwood hammocks and saltwater marshes and is home to a diverse population of wildlife that includes bald eagles, white-tailed deer and, of course, Florida alligators.

Stop at the Guy Bradley Visitor Center in Flamingo for trip information, but get your permits online from Flamingo Adventures.

Types of camping: Tent, RV, houseboats, glamping.

Facilities: Water, sewer, electric, bathrooms/showers and more (varies by campground).

Amenities: Everglades National Park offers drive-up camping sites at Long Pine Key and sites at the Flamingo Campground. Prime camping season is between November and April, so it’s best to reserve a campsite, especially during that time. The T Loop section of the Flamingo campground has sites with electrical hookups for RVs.

Backcountry camping: For a more rustic experience, try backcountry camping in the Everglades. Be prepared to pack in and pack out everything you need for your adventure. You’ll also need to get your backcountry permit.

Glamping: Want to camp but not really rough it? There are two ways to go glamping in Everglades National Park (both at the Flamingo location). One is on the water with a houseboat rental at Flamingo Marina. The boats feature two bedrooms, a bathroom and a full galley kitchen, allowing travelers to live aboard as they explore the River of Grass. For another unique glamping option, rent an eco-tent with either a queen or two double beds, a seating area, fans and electricity. Eco-tents offer views of Florida Bay.

Biscayne National Park

Biscayne National Park, stretching more than 270 square miles southeast of Miami to the Florida Keys, is the largest marine sanctuary in the National Park system.

Location highlights: Biscayne National Park is a remarkable destination of coral reefs and mangrove forests. Since all but about 5% of the park is underwater, a boat is needed to experience it. Campsites are available at Boca Chita Key and Elliott Key, the park’s largest island. There are no ferries or bridges to the campgrounds. Check with the Dante Fascell Visitor Center in Homestead for more information.

Type of camping: Tent.

Facilities: Boca Chita Key, the park’s most popular island, offers stellar waterfront views and a grassy camping area, picnic tables and grills. Toilets are available, but there are no showers, sinks or drinking water. On Elliott Key, visitors will find a marina with 33 boat slips as well as restrooms with sinks and cold-water showers, picnic tables and grills. Although drinking water is available, the park suggests that you bring your own at Elliott as a precaution.

People mountain biking at Oleta — Go mountain biking at Oleta River State Park

Oleta River State Park

Oleta River State Park near Sunny Isles Beach is Florida’s largest urban park.

Location highlights: Oleta is popular for its miles of mountain biking trails, and visitors can rent bicycles, kayaks, paddleboards and canoes. With a meandering nature trail, fishing pier and peaceful beach on Biscayne Bay, there’s plenty for nature lovers to do.

Type of camping: Rustic cabins.

Cabins: The park has 14 small cabins with covered porches and picnic tables, each equipped with double or bunk beds and air conditioning. Cabins do not have bathrooms, kitchens or plumbing, but restrooms with hot showers are nearby.

Larry and Penny Thompson Memorial Park and Campground

The camping area is currently closed but plans to reopen in early 2024.

Larry and Penny Thompson Memorial Park and Campground is a Miami-Dade County park located in South Miami Heights next to the popular Zoo Miami.

Location highlights: The park, named for popular Miami Herald columnist Larry Thompson and his wife, Penny, a leader in women’s aviation, sits on 270 acres of woodland and has bridle trails and hiking paths.

Type of camping: RV, tent.

Facilities: Water, sewer, electric and bathrooms/showers.

Amenities: The campground has 240 RV campsites with full electrical and water hookups, picnic shelters, restrooms with hot showers and laundry facilities. There’s also a large freshwater lake with a beach, waterslide, jogging trail and bike trail. The campground has a separate tent camping area.

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