It doesn't get any better than the camping at Bahia Honda State Park just 40 minutes north of Key West on Highway 1. No, really, there is no better place to camp in the Florida Keys. I've asked, and "best camping" and "Bahia Honda" are always said in the same sentence. When I say private oceanside campsites, I mean big sandy patches of land surrounded by trees and shrubs just 30 feet from the Atlantic Ocean. When I'm talking amazing sunset views, I'm talking views from the top of what used to be the Overseas Railroad that sits 40 feet above the water for a wide, uninhibited view of the sunset. And did I mention dogs are allowed? That's not exactly a given when camping in the Florida Keys.
My husband, Noah, and I have been camping twice at Bahia Honda State Park since we moved to Key West in October. Both times, there's been a moment as walked the beach with our dog late at night when we asked, "Is this even happening? Are we really this lucky?" The beach is lit only by the moon, and we can look out for miles in all directions. We're standing at the edge of the ocean, feet in warm tropical waters in the middle of winter. The only sound is the light crashing of the waves, and we feel like we're the only people in the world, yet we're just a mile or so from our campsite.
That's camping at Bahia Honda, where RVs and tent campers are welcome, though you usually need to book a weekend site at least three months in advance. We're tent campers, and that's where the best camping is, anyway. There's maybe 20 tent sites, half of which are on the ocean, the other half are across the little road you drive in on to get to your site. Each site has enough room for a couple of tents, and has a park bench and a grill, perfect for anywhere from two to eight people. And the restrooms and showers are nice, too (I mean, nice by campsite standards).
At your site, you can hear other campers and even see a few of them if you look over the trees surrounding your plot, but as fas as camping goes, this is as private as it gets. We arrived in the late afternoon both times (you can arrive as early as 3 p.m.) and stayed one night. Many people make a weekend of it, and take advantage of snorkeling, kayaking and other activities the park offers for a few bucks to pay for equipment rental. Camping costs about $30 a night (book in advance here), but it's well worth it.
Three things will ruin your camping experience at Bahia Honda. First, don't forget bug spray or little critters will invade your campsite, bite your ankles and manage to find a way inside your tent to make sleeping nearly impossible. Second, and this is probably obvious, but pack everything up at night before you enter the tent. The first night, we left our dog's water and food out, and had some company in the middle of the night from a hungry raccoon. Finally, make reservations. Don't just show up and assume you'll get a camping spot, because I assure you, you won't.
You don't have to go too far north of Key West to feel like you're in a whole different place. And believe me, after a few months on the island, that's a welcome change of scenery.
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