Bahia Honda State Park RV & Campground Guide
Florida
- Home
- State Parks
- Florida
- Bahia Honda State Park
Bahia Honda State Park is a stunning island getaway, located in the famous Florida Keys region. Founded in 1961, the state park occupies most of the Bahia Honda island, covering an area of 524 acres. The region is also home to a historic bridge and award-winning beach, which offers some of the best snorkeling and beachcombing in Florida. As a result, the state park is a popular region for families all-year-round.
Bahia Honda State Park has a tropical climate, so it receives a lot of rainfall annually (approximately 1407 mm each year), even during its driest’ month. The temperature averages a balmy 76.1 °F, making it ideal for outdoor activities such as swimming, hiking, boating, and picnicking. The region is also home to several species of shore birds and wading birds, large rays, tropical fish, ghost crabs, sea turtles, and Atlantic bottle-nosed dolphins.
If you’re planning a trip to this incredible state park, you’ll want to keep reading to find out all there is to know about the region, including camping, activities, how to get here, and more.
Spring 68-86 F
Summer 78-90 F
Fall 70-88 F
Winter 64-76 F
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 don’t 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 (sites #1-48) 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:
Sunshine Key RV Resort and Marina
Sunshine Key RV Resort and Marina is a beautiful island resort with an adjoining marina for water enthusiasts. It’s located on the 75-acre island of Ohio Key, near Big Pine Key in the lower Florida Keys, just one mile from the state park. Rates vary depending on site type and time of year, but as one of the premium RV resorts within the area, you can expect premium pricing too.
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: yes
Wifi: yes
Pet-friendly: yes
Other amenities: swimming pool, fitness center, restroom / shower facilities, game room, laundry, playground, general store, high-speed internet.
Royal Palm RV Park
Just 6.3 miles from the state park is theRoyal Palm RV Park. It’s located on Big Pine Key, minutes from the white sand beaches of the Bahia Honda State Park. They have a total of 34 sites, all with full hookups, with rates starting at $68 per night.
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: yes
Wifi: yes
Pet-friendly: yes
Other amenities: laundry, bathhouses, shuffleboard court, clubhouse with kitchen available for use, lending library.
Bonefish Bay Motel & RV Resort
Bonefish Bay Motel & RV Resort is located in Marathon, just 16.8 miles from the state park. It’s a prime location for fishing and even has personalized fishing charters available on-site. Rates start from $79 per day.
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: yes
Wifi: N/A
Pet-friendly: yes
Other amenities: boat ramp and dock, boat and trailer parking, fresh water pool, laundry, restrooms, showers.
What to Do at
Bahia Honda State Park
Inside Bahia Honda State Park
While Bahia Honda State Park is popular due to its camping, it’s 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 won’t 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 park’s 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.
Snorkeling : The state park has some of the best nearshore snorkeling in the Florida Keys. Because the water is shallow (just 4 – 6 feet), the area is also perfect for beginner snorkelers.
Hiking : There is one nature trail within the park, located on the southwest end of the island in the Calusa area, leading to the top of the Old Bahia Honda Bridge. When the conditions are calm, you can see fish and sea turtles swimming beneath the water’s surface.
Outside Bahia Honda State Park
If you thought there was plenty to do inside of the park, then you’ll be surprised by just how many experiences are on offer outside of the park too. Bahia Honda State Park is surrounded by breath-taking locations and is just 15.3 miles from Marathon, one of the largest cities within the Keys region.
Restaurants
Boondocks Grille and Draft House and Miniature Golf
Boondocks isn’t your average restaurant. There’s on-site mini golf (the only one within the region), live music every night, and over 20 55-inch 4K TVs to ensure guests never miss a single sporting game. Plus, their menu is so big, you’ll have trouble choosing just one thing to eat!
Type: Tropical bar and restaurant
Location: Ramrod Key, FL
No Name Pub
If you’re after something a little more rustic, then the No Name Pub is for you. Out of 700 South Florida restaurants surveyed, the No Name Pub was rated the “best casual dining experience in the Florida Keys”. They have a wide selection of pizza, as well as other pub favorites such as pasta, soups, salads, burgers, wings, and more.
Type: Pub / bistro
Location: Big Pine Key, FL
Kiki's Sandbar Bar & Grille
This easy-going beachfront eatery offers great seafood dishes, as well as other classic favorites. Inside, you’ll find games, live music, and a full bar. Outside also offers a patio with breath-taking views.
Type: Seafood restaurant and bar
Location: Little Torch Key, FL
Shopping
Key West Visitors Center
There aren’t exactly any large malls within the region, but if you fancy picking up some great souvenirs during your trip, the Key West Visitors Center is worth a visit. The gift shop has reasonable prices and the center is overflowing with knowledge about the area.
Sightseeing
Dolphin Research Center
This not-for-profit marine mammaleducation and research facility has been operating for more than 35 years. It’s less than a 30-minute drive from the state park and is a wonderful opportunity to see dolphin shows, interact with dolphins, and view sea lions. General admission starts at $23 per person and children aged 3 and under can gain entry for free.
Location: Grassy Key, FL
Southernmost Point of the Continental US
While you’re at the state park, you’re also less than an hour’s drive from the Southernmost Point of the Continental US. Come and view the monument, take photos, and gaze out at the seemingly endless expanse of sea.
Location: Key West, FL
National Key Deer Refuge
This 9,200-acrepreserve is home to several endangered species of animals, including key deer and the marsh rabbit. The endangered key deer are found in the lower Florida Keys and nowhere else in the world, but you can get up-close with them here!
Location: Big Pine Key, FL
How to Get to
Bahia Honda State Park
The state park is 92.5 miles from Homestead on the Florida mainland. Take FL-997 S/SW 177th Ave/S Krome Ave to US-1, before following US-1 S to Monroe County. The state park is located before Old Bahia Honda Bridge, on the left of the road.
Entering Bahia Honda State Park
The state park is open from 8 a.m. until sundown every day of the year. Admission rates range from $2.50 - $8.50.
We’re very excited you’re planning a trip to Bahia Honda State Park. Once you’ve finished exploring all the park has to offer, there are also some incredible opportunities waiting for you outside of its gates! During or after your stay, we encourage you to tag us in any of your social media posts, or share your photos and experience with us at [email protected]. We may even feature your story on our blog or social media channels. Happy camping!
Frequently Asked Questions About 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.
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.
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.
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.
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