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Bahia Honda State Park Rv Camping

Bahia Honda State Park In Florida Overview

Bahia Honda State Park Campground Tour, Florida Keys 4K

Hours: 8 am to sundown, 365 days a yearFee: $8 per vehicleAddress: 36850 Overseas Highway, Big Pine Key, FL 33043Phone Number: 305-872-2353Wi-Fi: Free 24-hour Wi-Fi at the Concession Building

Shade is limited in the park. You can rent chairs, snorkeling equipment, and kayak rentals in the park. There is also a snack bar with limited choices.

Bahia Honda State Park Cabins: So Nice But Impossible To Reserve

The six cabins at Bahia Honda State Park are an excellent place to stay overnight. Everyone agrees on that, which is why it requires lots of planning to get a cabin here.

You can book a spot 11 months in advance through the parks reservations website. Even if you mark your calendar and try to book a spot the morning a date becomes available, you can still be out of luck. One reason is that when you snag a cabin date 11 months in advance, you can reserve that cabin for two weeks. If all six cabins are booked multiple days, there can be days when no cabins become available on the 11-months-out date.

The Bahia Honda State Park cabins are built on pilings overlooking a lagoon, set apart of the busier day-use sections of the park. Weve stayed in a cabin here and found it clean, comfortable, well-equipped and with a beautiful view.

Most folks, though, arent going to have the patience to figure out exactly when and how to book a cabin, so this experience remains largely out of reach for most. Still, its worth vulturing watching the park reservations website for cancellations.

Oceanside camping at Bahia Honda State Park is highly sought after. This gorgeous campsite is located in Sandspur campground.

Things To Do Near Big Pine Key Florida

Henry Flagler’s railroad to Key West turned the remote island of Bahia Honda Key into a tropical destination. Today, the island is home to one of Florida’s southernmost state parks, known for beautiful beaches, magnificent sunsets and excellent snorkeling. Visitors can picnic on the beach, take a swim, or relax and enjoy the balmy sea breezes that caress the shores year-round. Anglers can fish from shore or bring a boat and launch at the boat ramp. Kayaks, and snorkeling gear can be rented and boat trips to the reef for a snorkeling excursion are available. Bahia Honda is an excellent place to see wading birds and shorebirds, while the Sand and Sea Nature Center introduces nature lovers to the island’s plants and animals. Campsites and vacation cabins are also available.

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Happy Camping In Bahia Honda State Park

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Can You Swim At Bahia Honda

@andi_fisher enjoying Bluewater Key #rvresort in #keywest #florida.  # ...

Swimming is safe at in this part of the Keys. The best place to go swimming is at Loggerhead Beach. The water is shallow here and is a great place to go snorkeling.

The only place where there are strong currents in the park is within the Bahia Honda Channel. You should check for the warning flags and weather conditions before swimming here.

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Rv Resorts & Campsites In Bahia Honda State Park

If glamping it up with a cosy bed, fully-stocked kitchen, and private bathroom is more your style when it comes to camping, then we recommend visiting this stunning place in an RV. If you dont own one, you can easily rent an RV fromRVshare.com to suit your budget and needs. All rentals come with nationwide insurance, 24/7 roadside assistance, and a world-class team dedicated to helping you succeed.

There are several campgrounds within the state park which are suitable for RV camping. Buttonwood contains the largest sites in the park and all have electricity, water, a picnic table and grill. There is also a bathhouse with restrooms and hot showers, as well as a dump station.

Some other RV-friendly campgrounds within the area include:

Bahia Honda Campground Fees

It costs $43 USD a night to camp at the State Park including tax.

This is regardless of whether you book a site with power or without.

In the camp sites, you are allowed up to 8 people but only 1 vehicle that requires electricity per site.

For a nights camping, we felt that $43 USD was a little pricey by worlds standards however, if you compare this price to the regular camping in the Florida Keys this is extremely cheap. Most camping in the Florida Keys costs $100 USD + a night.

One thing to note is that if you decide to camp at the State Park you do not have to pay the $4.50 State Park entry fee.

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Camping At Bahia Honda State Park

Bahia Honda visitors have various accommodation options ranging from campsites and cabins to boat slip rentals. Given the parkâs popularity, all sites are available by reservation. There are no walk-up or first-come, first-served campsites available.

Campers with large RVs will likely opt for Buttonwood Campground , which can accommodate anything from a small tent to an RV. Primitive camping is available at Bayside Campground . All campsites offer water hook-ups, picnic tables, and grills. Primitive sites do not provide electricity. Six cabins and 19 boat slips are also available for rental.

Amenities at Bahia Honda include restrooms, hot showers, trash disposal, and a sani-dump. Youâll also find a visitor center, amphitheater, interpretive exhibit, and restaurant. Forgot something? The concession offers snacks, marine supplies, and rentals . You can also rinse away sand and saltwater at the cold-water shower station in the day-use area.

As for ADA affordances, a small number of sites and one cabin are accessible. Bahia Honda State Park offers accessible picnic tables, a boardwalk, and ramps. If you wish, you can borrow a beach wheelchair from the park. Service animals are also welcome.

A Complete Guide To Visit Bahia Honda State Park

FAVORITE RV CAMPGROUND! BAHIA HONDA STATE PARK | FLORIDA KEYS (RV LIVING FULL TIME)

One of our favorite beaches when we visit the Florida Keys is Bahia Honda State Park. There are so many great amenities, including an awesome campground and some fun beaches. If youre going to be headed to the Keys, make sure to plan a stop at Bahia Honda.

Whether youre there for an hour or spend the day there, youll enjoy the great views of the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, historic bridge, and beautiful water. It is also known for its magnificent sunsets. This is one of the beautiful beaches in Florida with clear water.

One reason we love Bahia Honda is because of the sandy palm-lined beaches. We didnt really understand this before our first trip to the Keys, but there arent very many beaches with actual sand there. This state park is one of the few places in the Keys that has beautiful and natural sandy beaches.

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The Bahia Honda State Park Beaches

When people hear these beaches called the best in the Keys, they probably envision an expansive, wide beach. And thats why some people may be disappointed. Yes, this may be the Keys best beach, but beaches arent all that wonderful in the Florida Keys.

iew of old and crumbling Bahia Honda bridge from the southern end, across the channel from Bahia Honda State Park.

Bahia Honda had three natural, sandy beaches:

  • Scenic Calusa Beach is spectacularly situated with the old Bahia Honda bridge as a backdrop. Its pretty and pretty small, however, and it fills up on sunny weekends. Calusa Beach is on the northwest side of the island facing the Overseas Highway.
  • Loggerhead Beach is also on the western end of the island and faces the open Atlantic. Its a very shallow beach with a large shallow sand bar a few feet offshore.
  • Sandspur Beach is nearly a mile long, narrow with shallow water and sand flats the whole way. Here, you can get away from the crowds if youre willing to walk the beach. There is a covered pavilion available on a first come first serve basis. The restrooms are located near the parking areas.

The Bahia Honda State Park beaches are good for snorkeling, generally with very clear water. There is often sea grass piled along the beach: its good for the beachs ecology, but plenty of visitors consider it unattractive.

Calusa beach at Bahia Honda State Park.

Bahia Honda State Park Camping I Stayed For 10 Nights At A Bahia Honda State Park Campground State Park Campground Closest To Key West Florida Keys Travel Blog

Hi there!

So you want to go camping in the Florida Keys!

The Bahia Honda State Park campgrounds are some of the best campgrounds in the Florida Keys!

Yes, there are several campgrounds in Bahia Honda State Park!

Explore the map: Bahia Honda State Park campground

Is there state park camping in Key West?

There are no state parks with camping in Key West.

The state park campgrounds that are the closest to Key West are the Bahia Honda State Park campgrounds!

Bahia Honda State Park to Key West is around a 1 hour drive.

This might seem a bit of a drive, but its still an easy day trip to Key West from Bahia Honda State Park.

Explore the map: Bahia Honda State Park to Key West

There are 3 campgrounds in Bahia Honda State Park:

  • Buttonwood Campground

All campgrounds have waterfront campsites.

So, you are never too far from seeing amazing views!

RV camping and tent camping at Bahia Honda State Park campgrounds

Bahia Honda State Park campgrounds are for RV camping and tent camping, although some campsites are tent camping only.

Buttonwood Campground is for RV camping and tent camping.

Sandspur Campground is for small RV camping and tent camping.

There are hot water showers at these Bahia Honda State Park campgrounds, along with modern bathrooms. There is also electricity and water at each campsite.

There is no laundry in Bahia Honda State Park.

Those are the quick bullet points about Bahia Honda State Park campgrounds! More below with pictures of each campground!

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Trails In Bahia Honda

There are not a lot of hiking trails in the park, but there are two quick and easy trails that are worth a visit if youre spending the day in the park. While youre out hiking, keep an eye out for all of the different flora in the park, including the endangered small-flowered lily thorn and the rare yellow satinwood.

Silver Palm Trail

The Silver Palm Trail leaves from the Sandspur area of the park. Be sure to pick up one of the self-guided brochures that explain a little more about the area and this nature trail.

Old Bahia Honda Bridge Trail

If youre just stopping by Bahia Honda State Park on your way to Key West, it is worth a walk to the top of the Old Bahia Honda Bridge. It is a pretty short trail but has amazing views of the park and the ocean. From the top of the bridge, youll be able to see tropical fish and maybe even sea turtles swimming below.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bahia Honda State Park

Bahia Honda State Park

What is the best time of year to visit Bahia Honda State Park?

Winter is the best time to visit the park because it is still warm. The summer can be very hot, while spring and fall are very busy times for the park.

What is the climate of Bahia Honda State Park?

Bahia Honda State Park has a tropical climate because it is located in the Florida Keys. Summer is very hot, while the other seasons are fairly mild. It is important to keep hurricane season in mind when planning your trip.

What kind of wildlife can be found in Bahia Honda State Park?

The park has a vast array of wildlife including manatees, dolphins, lobster, sea turtles, and multiple species of fish. Birdwatchers can enjoy the migrating birds coming over the Gulf of Mexico in spring and fall.

Are there designated RV camping spots in Bahia Honda State Park?

Bahia Honda State Park has 48 designated RV camping spots with full water and electrical hook-ups. These sites are clean, spacious, and private and have convenient access to the beach.

Do you have to reserve a camping spot at Bahia Honda State Park and what is the cost?

The park has an online reservation service for your convenience that should be taken advantage of in the busier seasons. They do offer first come first serve as well. the cost varies from $16 to $42 per nigh

    RVshare

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The Best Part About Camping In Bahia Honda State Park

In short, for me the best part about camping in Bahia Honda State Park was being so close to the ocean and just a short drive away from beaches for swimming and snorkeling!

The Bahia Honda beaches can be perfect for swimming and snorkeling.

The Bahia Honda State Park water temperature in May can be in the low 80s.

This includes snorkeling at Calusa Beach and Loggerhead Beach.

You can drive a couple of minutes from any Bahia Honda State Park campground to go snorkeling at Calusa Beach.

You can drive a couple of minutes from any Bahia Honda State Park campground to go snorkeling at Loggerhead Beach.

I also drove 5 minutes down the Overseas Highway to Horseshoe Beach for another fun snorkeling experience.

And then directly from Bahia Honda State Park, you might also be able to take a snorkeling tour that goes to one of the best snorkeling spots in the Florida Keys.

That is, a Looe Key snorkeling tour from Bahia Honda State Park!

You can also go ocean kayaking in Bahia Honda State Park. There are kayak rentals available at the park.

And now, some basics about the Bahia Honda State Park campgrounds!

Bahia Honda State Park Overview

Bahia Honda State Park offers three campgrounds/loops with a total of 80 campsites and is located in the beautiful Florida Keys. There are also cabins available for rent on the beach.

Campground amenities include drinking water, flush toilets, hot showers and a dump station. Theres also a visitor center, boat ramp, marina, camp store picnic area, beach, and sports equipment rentals.

Buttonwood can accommodate tents, trailers and RVs. The campsites are the largest in the park and all have electric hookups. Each campsite also has a table and BBQ pedestal. Waterfront sites are #12-25. #12 and #13 are by the boat docks and #14 is on the channel.

Sandspur is located in a hardwood hammock and most are small with low clearance. The sites are generally best for tent camping, but small trailers or RVs will work. Campsites 57-72 have electricity. Each site also has a table and BBQ pedestal. The waterfront sites in this area are #64-72.

Bayside has just 98 campsites with a limited vehicle height restriction of 6 feet 8 inches. Your vehicle must be able to go under the new Bahia Honda Bridge to reach these sites. The sites also have a picnic table, grill and water.

Pets are allowed in camping areas at Bahia Honda State Park, but not on beaches, on tour or rental boats, or in any buildings and may be restricted to other designated areas. All pets must be kept on a six-foot, hand-held leash and be well-behaved at all times.

Bahia Honda State Park Area Recreation

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Inside Bahia Honda State Park

While Bahia Honda State Park is popular due to its camping, its also a widely-visited region because of the number of fun recreational activities on offer. With its beautiful clean waters, picturesque trails, historic bridge, and more, you certainly wont be bored during your time here.

Swimming : Visitors come from all over the world to enjoy the swimming at Bahia Honda, particularly with its clear and clean blue water. The water around the island is shallow and the currents are very mild, making it a mostly safe place for visitors of all ages to swim. Just be sure to avoid swimming near the Bahia Honda Channel, as the currents can be very swift.

Kayaking : Visitors are welcome to bring their own kayak or canoe, or they can rent one through the parks Concession. Kayaks and canoes are not permitted in designated buoyed swimming areas, but they can be launched from either Loggerhead parking lot on the ocean side or the boat ramp on the Gulf side.

Fishing : There are plenty of areas within the park to fish, however somerules and regulations apply. A fishing license may be required to fish, and visitors must conform to regulations concerning size, number, method of capture and season.

Stargazing : Bahia Honda is the darkest location for stargazing in the Florida Keys and twice a month, the state park hosts two stargazing programs for overnight guests to partake in.

Welcome To Bahia Honda State Park

2020 Bahia Honda State Park Part 2 “Best campground in the Keys”

Along with its iconic Florida Keys scenery, sandy beaches, gin-clear waters and magnificent sunsets, the park is known for balmy sea breezes that caress the shores year-round.

Henry Flaglers bold effort to build a railroad to Key West in the early 1900s turned the remote island of Bahia Honda Key into a tropical destination.

Along with its iconic Florida scenery palm-lined beaches, gin-clear waters and magnificent sunsets the park is known for balmy sea breezes that caress the shores year-round.

The park is an excellent place to observe wading birds and shorebirds, and introduces nature lovers to the islands plants and animals.

Kayaks and snorkeling gear can be rented, and boat trips to the reef for snorkeling excursions are available.

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