Bahia Honda State Park Camping - Affordable Camping in the Florida Keys

Bahia Honda State Park in the Florida Keys is one of my family's favorite places to visit, and it seems as if there is always something new to explore. Camping at Bahia Honda is extremely popular, but it takes a certain kind of camper to do. Camping at Bahia Honda State Park is in fact so popular, that all wishful campers are advised to book a camp site 11 months in advance. It is possible to book closer to your travel date, as there are cancellations, but booking in advance is definitely recommended. 

In 1966 a camp site at Bahia Honda would cost $2.06 you, and while the prices sure have increased since then, a camp site at Bahia Honda state park is still quite a bargain at $37 before taxen. In comparison surrounding private campgrounds run about $45 - $55 during high season, while you are likely to find comparable rates at the private campgrounds in the off season. Of course you will not get all of the amenities of staying at some some of the bigger private campgrounds in the Florida Keys, but you will get some beautiful surroundings, and a feeling of getting back to nature.

To get to the tent sites at Bahia Honda State Park you have to drive up a short road, which makes the tent site area seem very excluded. 

The tent camp sites at Bahia Honda State Park are not huge, but they are bigger than at other campsites in the Florida Keys, and there is plenty of room for a large tent and an SUV or minivan. Some of the tent sites (like tent site #56 below) have a bit of a wilderness feel to them, and some of the Bahia Honda tent sites have a fantastic ocean view.

Bahia Honda Camping - Tent Site 56

The ocean is right across from Bahia Honda tent site 56 above.

Each of the tent sites have a picnic table, water and a barbecue grill. 

Sites #57-72 sites have electricity.

Bahia Honda Camping - Tent Site 56

Look at this view:

Restroom facility at Bahia Honda tent site

The tent sites at Bahia Honda state are located close to the restroom/shower facility, but remember it is a state park, so it is just a basic facility. 

While there are no fancy swimming pool or playgrounds, the beach is nearby and when camping at Bahia Honda State Park, you are surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery in the Florida Keys.

Sandspur beach is close by the camp area, and in in Bahia Honda state park also have my favorite beach the scenic Caloosa Beach by the old Bahia Honda bridge, and Loggerhead beach is also located inside the park. 

The cabins and the RV sites at Bahia Honda State Park are located closer to Caloosa Beach and the marina. 

Things To Do At Bahia Honda State Park:

There are lots to do in Bahia Honda State Park besides hiking and beachgoing. 

Ranger Programs: 

On Friday nights at 8 p.m. there is a park ranger program at the Campfire Circle (located at the base of the Old Bridge Trail). The park ranger program will include a slide presentation or talk about topics such as Florida Keys' history, plants or animals. 

For more information about the campfire circle program, and other programs at Bahia Honda State Park go to the Park Ranger Programs.

Nature Center:

The Sand and Sea Nature Center is open Thursday - Monday from 9:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m

Concession stand:  

There is a small snack bar in the main concession building by the marina.

Snorkeling: 

Snorkeling is great at Bahia Honda. Over the years we have seen anything from colorful tropical fish to conchs, and at our most recent stay we even saw sting rays.

Fishing: 

There are plenty of fishing opportunities at Bahia Honda State Park.

Kayak rentals: 

Single kayak: $10 per hour, $30 per half a day

Double kayak: $18 per hour, $34 per half day

For more info about kayak rentals at Bahia Honda.

Basic Entrance Fees at Bahia Honda State Park: (March 2011)

Children under six years FREE

Vehicle Admission Fees at Bahia Honda State Park (limit 8 persons) $8 + ($0.50 Monroe County Surcharge Per Person)

Single Person Vehicle Entrance Free $4 + ($0.50 Monroe County Surcharge Per Person)

Annual Individual Entrance Past $60 + $4.50 Tax = $64.50 

(Holder must pay $0.50 Monroe County Surcharge upon entry.)

If lost - Entrance Pass replacement permit $15

Per Person Admission fee: $2 (Pedestrians, bicyclist, extra passengers) + ($0.50 Monroe County Surcharge Per Person)

Sunset admission free: $4 

(All vehicles, one hour before park closes) + ($0.50 Monroe County Surcharge Per Person)

Camping Fees at Bahia Honda State Park:

Base fee $36

Tax $7

Total $43

Senior citizens/disabled camping fee at Bahia Honda State Park:

(Must be Florida resident over the age of 65 years og age or 100 % disabled)

1/2 of base camping free = $18

Cabin fees at Bahia Honda State Park:

Cabin off season fee (5/1-10/31) $120 + $17.50 tax = $137.50

Cabin in season fee (11/1 - 4/30) $160 + $22.50 tax = $182.50

Bahia Honda State Park

36850 Overseas Highway
Big Pine Key, Florida 33043

(305) 872-2353

All of the above prices are from March 2011, you can find update prices at the Bahia Honda State Park website.

You can find more information about Bahia Honda State Park at http://www.floridastateparks.org/bahiahonda/default.cfm Make reservations for camping at Bahia Honda State Park through Reserve America (www.ReserveAmerica.com)