Bahia Honda State Park RV & Campground Guide
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The Spanish term Bahia Honda translates to "deep bay." The deep bay surrounding Bahia Honda State Park is the main attraction in this Florida Keys area. This destination's palm trees, sunshine, scenic beaches, pristine clear water, and gentle sea breezes make it ideal for a tropical getaway.
During your visit, you can learn about the park's history by exploring the remnants of the old Bahia Honda Bridge, which was built in the early 1900s as part of the Florida East Coast Railway linking mainland Florida mainland with Key West.
Nearby Cities:
Key West, FL
Key Largo, FL
Marathon, FL
Islamorada, FL
Spring 68-86 F
Summer 78-90 F
Fall 70-88 F
Winter 64-76 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Bahia Honda State Park
Campground Accommodations
Buttonwood Campground
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes, leashed or confined pets are welcome.
Max RV length: 50 feet
Other amenities: Picnic tables, grills, bathhouse, and dump station
Sandspur Campground
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes, leashed or confined pets are welcome.
Max RV length: 23 feet
Other amenities: Picnic tables, grills, and bathhouse
Bayside Campground
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: No
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes, leashed or confined pets are welcome.
Max RV length: N/A
Other amenities: Picnic tables, grills, and restroom
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
Bahia Honda State Park offers outdoor activities all year long. There are recreational outdoor opportunities like kayaking and canoeing. Those wanting to view sea life can try snorkeling or scuba diving. Visitors who prefer to stay on land will enjoy shelling along the shore. Grills for a BBQ and food from the concession area are available for picnics.
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.
Fishing
Visitors can try fly-fishing for bonefish and barracuda on the island. Interested parties can hire a captain for a tarpon fishing charter in the spring and early summer. The park prohibits spearfishing and spearfishing equipment. You should also note that Florida requires a saltwater fishing license for residents and guests participating in this recreational sport. Visitors should peruse the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) site for more fishing license and regulation information. Depending on where you intend to fish, you may need a saltwater shoreline-only fishing license or a saltwater fishing license.
Geocaching
Geocaching is available but limited while restoration occurs on the park's damage from Hurricane Irma.
Nature Watching
Visitors to this state park can watch bottle-nosed dolphins swim offshore and have the opportunity to see several endangered species, including sea turtles and Miami blue butterflies.
Stargazing
Bahia Honda is the darkest location in the Florida Keys, making it perfect for observing the night sky. Guests can view the stars from several places in the park, including the beaches, or while sitting at a picnic table.
Flora and Fauna
Some species of plants visitors will find in the park are yellow satinwood, Key thatch palm, Florida silver palms, sea grapes, sea grass, and Jamaica dogwood. In addition to dolphins, sea turtles, and butterflies, the park is home to various sharks, sting rays, wading birds, hawks, and ghost crabs.
Hiking
There is one trail in the park for hiking. It leads hikers to the top of the Old Bahia Honda Bridge, giving hikers a view of the water below and the entire island of Bahia Honda in the distance.
Boating
The island has access to water for boats in both the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Boat tours for snorkelers are available from the concession area. Boat slips are available to rent at the marina. Guests interested in boating or using the boat ramps should visit the marina for more information.
Swimming
There are three beaches at Bahia Honda State Park: Loggerhead Beach, Calusa Beach, and Sandspur Beach. The park's clear, warm, shallow waters offer ideal swimming conditions for visitors to these beaches.
Biking
Visitors are permitted to bike on the park's paved roads. Florida law requires helmets for anyone 16 years of age or younger. All other bikers are encouraged to wear helmets for safety reasons.
How to Get to
Bahia Honda State Park
The best way to get to Bahia Honda State Park is to take US Highway 1 South. At mile marker 37, turn left into the park.
The admission fee is $8 per vehicle, with a $0.50 county surcharge per person. Visitors can park their vehicles in the main parking lot near the marina.
Entering Bahia Honda State Park
Bahia Honda State Park is a fantastic place to simply relax and gaze at the crystal-clear turquoise waters of the Florida Keys. If you're looking for something more adventurous, however, you'll find plenty to choose from during your visit. You can stop by the visitor's center to learn more about everything the park has to offer.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bahia Honda State Park
It depends on how you like to vacation. You'll find the park to be the most crowded during spring break, so avoid that time if you don't like crowds. For the best snorkeling, visitors should plan to reserve a time between March and June. Spring is the best time for tarpon fishing, and to avoid the high heat of summer, plan your trip for the colder months.
Sea life, including dolphins, sea turtles, and ghost crabs, can be found at the park, as well as several species of birds, including herons, egrets, and hawks.
Yes, there are two campgrounds with spots suitable for RVs in the park. The Buttonwood Campground is better for larger RVs, and you may want to choose Sandspur Campground if your RV is under 23 feet long.
Yes. Reservations are needed and can be made up to 11 months in advance via the Florida State Park reservations website. A site costs $36 per night plus taxes and fees.
Pets are welcome at the park. You are expected to clean up after your four-legged family member, and they must be on a leash.
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