camping--Florida Keys
 

We are planning a camping trip to the Keys for a week at the end of April. We are a family of four with two kids--ages 7 and 9. Does anyone have any recommendations for things not to miss while we're there, what to stay away from, or any other info on this area? I am looking into camping overnight at Ft. Jefferson but am wondering if, at $500 for the four of us (which does include the boat trip, breakfast, lunch, and camping fees), it's worth it. We are basically looking to swim, snorkel, nature/wildlife-watch, and relax a little too. Any input you can offer would be greatly appreciated!

There is camping at Pennekamp State Park in Key Largo. Plenty of things to do there, snorkeling, etc. Here's the site.<BR>http://www.pennekamppark.com/

You are really isolated at Ft. Jefferson. I am not sure I would want to be that isolated with my kids. And for $500 a night, you could stay in a luxury hotel in Key West with all the anemities and no bugs.

Should be amenities. I never could type. Hope the spelling police doesn't crucify me. ;-) There are alot of nice campgrounds in the Keys.<BR>www.fla-keys.com

<BR><BR>I would think you'd be way too isolated at Ft Jefferson. My choice (it's where I camped when I was a kid) is Bahia Honda. Not too far away from Key WEst when you need a little dose of civilization (or whatever they call it in Key West.)

I love Bahia Honda. But if I were camping, I'd also take a look at Long Key State Park, at MM 67.5. It's not nearly as fancy as Bahia Honda, but that line of sites along the oceanside at Long Key looks mighty inviting...

Fort Jefferson was closed to camping when I was there a few weeks ago. Check to see if it has since opened.

I would definitely not recommend camping on Ft. Jefferson with two kids. It's VERY remote - you even have to bring in your own water - and there's not that much to do. <BR><BR>At those ages, my kids loved the aquarium and sunset celebration in Key West, snorkeling at Looe Key (take a boat from Big Pine Key), looking at Key Deer on Big Pine and No Name Keys, fishing, and exploring Bahia Honda.

Maybe I missed something, but Wynn seems to be planning a week of camping in the Keys, only ONE night of which they are considering spending at Ft. Jefferson. Since we are only talking overnight, the &quot;remoteness&quot; actually is a big plus (at almost every other Keys campground you will be hearing the calming sounds of 18-wheelers rumbling up and down US1 all night-but not at Ft. J!). For only 2 days and 1 night, boredom shouldn't be a factor. Actually I think what you need to consider is the cost. If you saved a few hundred by not going to Ft. Jefferson, will that let you indulge in some other stuff you might not have the $ to do otherwise (like go on charter fishing trip, rent waverunners, go parasailing, etc)?

I can only say that 500 dollars to go CAMPING for one night miles and miles away from mainland is not a good idea. You could get a descent hotel for a few nights and spend the extra money on other activities. Florida does have other places to camp that is quiet and cheap besides the Keys. But yeh, camping not far from US 1 anywhere in keys makes the night a bit noisy. Thats my suggestion

I am with Blue. For that kind of money you could stay at the Hyatt on Key West.

Although I'm not sure that the money is worth it, I should point out that many people consider a day trip to Ft. Jefferson a normal tourist activity. For a family of four, this day trip (boat, breakfast, and lunch) would cost about $370. Therefore, the camping trip really is only costing this family $130. Plenty of people spend the money to stay at the Hyatt and THEN spend the $370 to go to Ft. J for the day, so the comparisons of &quot;you could stay at the Hyatt for that kind of money&quot; aren't quite right. Yes, you COULD stay at the Hyatt for that kind of money, but you couldn't stay there AND visit Fort Jefferson for that same price.

Thanks Larry for putting things in perspective with the pricing for everyone--the camping part is really not the expense but the day trip on the boat out there which I believe is the cheapest way to get out to Fort Jefferson. I also don't compare that kind of experience with a nice hotel as that's not what we're looking for. But, thanks for everyone's input! We'll definitely check out the aquarium and some of the other recommendations. I could also use some advice on where to stop on the way down. We're in Georgia and have a 14 hour drive that we'd like to break up. I think we could make it to Miami but is that the best place to check out? Some recommended Fort Lauderdale but I'm not sure that's the best place to be at this time of year. It's my kids' Spring Break and I don't know if this also means college/high school kids will be there partying.

I agree an overnight at Ft. Jefferson in the Tortugas would be wonderful. in the middle of the ocean and very serene.<BR><BR>But...it's not going to happen.<BR><BR>The campground at Dry Tortugas is closed because of some restoom/swer issue. For more info, visit www.nps.gov

Well, there you go, Wynn. At least debating over if it is worth it or not to camp at Ft. J. is now a moot point! Turning to you latest question, Are you interested in camping somewhere on the way down, or staying in a motel? If you want a motel I would say Ft. Lauderdale is more family oriented than Miami (and I wouldn't worry much about spring break, it is mostly over by the end of April). If you want to camp I think you might be able to find some sites close to the beach a little further north in areas such as Sebastien Inlet, Vero Beach, or Stuart that might be nice.

Thanks Larry, we'll be camping on the way down too so I'll check the places you mentioned out. I now have a new problem--all three state parks are booked for the week we want so I'm left with Sugarloaf KOA or a place called Boyd's. Has anyone stayed at either or these locations?