Biscayne National Park Camping Guide
Welcome to the Biscayne National Park Camping Guide.
Here you will find camping and campground information including dates the campgrounds are open and the facilities offered to campers staying in the park.
Here you will find camping and campground information including dates the campgrounds are open and the facilities offered to campers staying in the park.
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| Backcountry Camping | Campgrounds | The Keys |
Campgrounds
There are two campgrounds in Biscayne National Park. They are located on two different Florida Key Islands. One campground is located on Boca Chita Key and the other is on Elliott Key. These campgrounds are open year round. Boat transportation must be arranged to these islands. All campgrounds operate on a first come first serve basis. Register on the islands at the kiosk located next to the harbor. The automated registration machine accepts U.S. currency.
| Campground | Open | Sites | Dump Station | Laundry | Showers | Groceries | Service Station | Approx Fill Time | Fee |
| Boca Chita | All Year | No | No | No | No | No | Early | $ 10.00 | |
| Elliott | All Year | 40 | No | No | Yes | No | No | Early | $ 10.00 |
Additional Camping Information
Individual campsites (up to two tents and / or six people) are $ 10.00 per night. Group campsites (up to 6 tents and 25 people) are $ 25.00 per night. Payment of the overnight docking fee ($ 15.00 per night) includes the use of one individual campsite (if available). Holders of the Golden Age Pass or Golden Access Pass receive a 50% discount on camping and docking fees. Reservations are not accepted. All camping is first come, first served.
At Elliot there are picnic tables and grills, rest rooms, showers and fresh water. There is also a group campsite available. The group campsite fee is $ 25.00 per night (maximum 25 people and 6 tents). The $ 15.00 per night overnight docking fee at the Boca Chita Key and Elliott Key harbors includes the use of one individual campsite. There is a 50% discount for holders of a Golden Access or Golden Age Passes.
Camping on Elliott Key is allowed year round, but only in the designated campsites. All campsites have a picnic table and a grill and are designated by a "C" painted on the grill post. There is a group campsite located in the breezeway between the harbor and the ocean side of the island. In addition, Elliott Key has freshwater, cold water showers, and restrooms. There are trails and a buoyed swim area. Fishing is allowed from the maintenance dock and from the shoreline outside of the harbor, no wake zone, and swimming area.
A fire ring is located .25 mile east of the harbor on the ocean side of the island. This is the only place in the park where a ground fire is allowed.
Pets are allowed in the developed areas of Elliott Key but must be kept on an attended leash no longer than six feet in length. Pets are not allowed in the buildings or in the swim area.
Camping on Boca Chita Key is allowed year round, but only in the designated campsites east of the "Chapel." All campsites have a picnic table and a grill. Individual campsites are designated by a "C" painted on the grill post and the group campsite is designated by a "G" painted on the grill post. A saltwater restroom is available (no sinks or showers). Fishing is allowed except in the harbor, where the shoreline is bulkheaded, or in the creek going into the wetlands.
Group camping areas are located on both Elliott and Boca Chita Key. Fee covers up to 6 tents and 25 people. Call: 305-230-1144, x 3074 to reserve.
There is no freshwater on the island. You must bring your own drinking and cooking water.
Pets are not allowed on Boca Chita Key, on vessels in the harbor or tied up to the island, or in the shallow waters (less than three feet deep) surrounding the island.
No ground fires are allowed.
There is no trash pickup on these islands, so all trash needs to be taken back to the mainland with you for disposal.
Be prepared for mosquitoes and "no-see-ums." Generally there are a lot of them around in the summer and fewer in the winter but their presence can fluctuate greatly at any time of the year depending on the weather.
There are no fuel or supply sales on the islands. Bring whatever you will need with you.
Raccoons and rodents are present on the islands. To protect you and your supplies, your food and trash need to be kept in rigid, raccoon proof containers. Do not keep food in your tent.
Quiet hours are 10:00 pm to 6:00 am. During quiet hours all noise must be kept to a minimum. Generators and other machinery must be turned off. At other times, noise or music must be at a reasonable level so as to not infringe on the enjoyment of others.
Do not tie, hang, or attach anything to trees or buildings.
Fires are permitted only in the provided grills, other grills designed for that purpose, or in the fire ring on the oceanside of Elliott Key. Dead and downed wood may be collected for use. Be careful not to collect and burn poison wood or pressure treated lumber as the smoke can be toxic. Coconuts can be collected from the ground but not from the trees. All other plants and animals are protected in the park — do not disturb them.
Backcountry Camping
Backcountry camping is only allowed on Elliot Key. You need to pick up a free permit at headquarters. Be sure to pack out all trash on the keys. Some private property still exists on the keys, please respect owners' rights. A few tropical plants can cause painful itching, do not touch plants you do not recognize as harmless.
The Keys
The keys can be reached only by boat. Developed recreation areas and services are limited to a few islands. Boat fuel, supplies and food are not sold on any island, but are available at mainland marinas. Only Elliott Key has drinking water.
The entire park is a wilderness refuge, but the Arsenicker Keys are particularly important as a bird nesting area; do not disturb these keys. West Arsenicker Keys and the islands in sandwich Cove are closed to the public.
Elliott Key
Elliott Bay, located on the bay side of the island, is protected and has a visitor center.
Free boat docks are located on Elliott Key Harbor and University Dock. A campground with picnic tables and grills. It's open on a first come first served basis. No fee is charged Drinking water, restrooms and showers are nearby. Backcountry camping is allowed by permit only and popular overnight anchorage sites are located offshore. The island also has a self guiding nature trail.
Adams Key
Adams Key was once developed as the Cocolobo Club hideaway for the rich and famous. Presidents Harding, Roosevelt, Johnson, and Nixon stayed at this resort. Today park rangers live on the island.
A free boat dock, picnic area, restrooms and nature trail are available during the day.
Boca Chita Key
Boca Chita Key in the northern part of the park, has a beautiful harbor. Once owned by the Honeywell family, this picturesque island has an ornamental 65 foot lighthouse constructed by them in the 1930s. It was lighted only once, then declared a hazard to navigate by the U.S. Coast Guard. Shallow waters around all the islands are constantly impacted by boats that run aground, leaving prop scars that are plainly visible.
A free boat dock, picnic area, and restrooms are available. A primitive camping are is on the island, no permit is required An ornamental lighthouse is open intermittently.
Sands Key
Popular overnight anchorage sites are located offshore.
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