How much does camping cost at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park?

Camping fees at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park range from $0.5-$8/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park first-come first-served or reservation?

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

What is the best time to visit John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park?

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is open Open year-round (park hours 8 a.m. until sunset, 365 days a year).. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park?

Yes, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

How many campsites does John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park have?

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park has 42 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park?

Yes, pets are allowed at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park?

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park offers: Showers, Potable Water, Electrical Hookups, Water Hookups, Sewer Hookups, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park?

Popular activities at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park include Hiking, Fishing, Swimming, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

4.24

50 reviews

102601 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL 33037

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

Price

$0.5 - $8/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

42 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Pets Allowed

Full HookupsShowers

Book on Florida State Parks Official Website

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

Price

$0.5 - $8/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

42 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Pets Allowed

Full HookupsShowers

Book on Florida State Parks Official Website

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

$0.50 - $8.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Day-use fees listed on the park page: $8 per vehicle plus $0.50 per person. Additional fees apply for tours, camping, marina services and other...

No paid fee categories listed.

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Florida State Parks

Provider

800-326-3521

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

102601 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL 33037

No map location available

Weather at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

Best Time to Camp at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

Spring (March through May) delivers the best combination of clear, calm seas and warm air temperatures in the mid-70s to mid-80s F. Water temps climb from the low 70s to upper 70s/low 80s F, making snorkeling and diving visibility peak. Rain and tropical-storm risk are still relatively low. Expect moderate crowds during spring break weekends, but overall it's quieter than summer. Late fall through spring is most comfortable for camping due to lower humidity, fewer mosquitoes, and less intense heat. Summer brings very hot, humid conditions and more bugs. Challenging in a tight campground with little shade, though water temperatures are excellent for families. Weekends, holidays, and school breaks mean crowding at the marina, long entrance lines, and busier tours. Mid-week and shoulder seasons are calmer.

Best

Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak season with warm weather, perfect for water activities. Book early.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Open year-round (park hours 8 a.m. until sunset, 365 days a year).

About John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, designated as America's first undersea park, sits on the western edge of the only living coral reef in the continental United States. The campground offers 42 full-hookup sites (30/50-amp electric, water, and sewer) with fees ranging from $0.50 to $8 per night. Sites are narrow and closely spaced, so this isn't the place for solitude. You're here for quick access to snorkeling, diving, and glass-bottom boat tours that launch from the park's marina.

The park offers 42 reservable full‑service campsites with utility hookups and a primitive group campsite for organized groups; marina dock slips and mooring buoys support overnight stays on private boats.

Historical Significance

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park was designated as the nation's first undersea park to emphasize coral-reef conservation and marine education. The park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Weather and SeasonsSpring (March through May) delivers the best combination of clear, calm seas and warm air temperatures in the mid-70s to mid-80s F. Water temps climb from the low 70s to upper 70s/low 80s F, making snorkeling and diving visibility peak. Rain and tropical-storm risk are still relatively low. Expect moderate crowds during spring break weekends, but overall it's quieter than summer. Late fall through spring is most comfortable for camping due to lower humidity, fewer mosquitoes, and less intense heat. Summer brings very hot, humid conditions and more bugs. Challenging in a tight campground with little shade, though water temperatures are excellent for families. Weekends, holidays, and school breaks mean crowding at the marina, long entrance lines, and busier tours. Mid-week and shoulder seasons are calmer.

Natural Features and ScenerySeventy nautical square miles of protected coral reef stretch beneath the turquoise waters of Largo Sound. The park protects a mix of offshore coral reef, mangrove swamp, and tropical hammock. From the marina and day-use areas, you look out over Largo Sound and watch boats heading to the reef. Underwater visibility is excellent on calm days, revealing coral formations and tropical fish that define the park's reputation. Within the campground itself, views are mostly of neighboring RVs, low vegetation, and a nearby pond rather than open water. The visitor center houses large saltwater aquariums that preview the marine life you'll see on the reef. Winding mangrove trails offer shaded walks through coastal hammock. Wildlife includes iguanas roaming the campground, shorebirds, rays, and fish in the shallows. Warning signs note the possible presence of American crocodiles in mangrove and lagoon waters, though sightings are uncommon.

Geological RegionFlorida Keys — offshore coral reef, mangrove swamp and tropical hammock coastal system

Scenic ViewsUnderwater views of coral formations and marine life are available on glass-bottom boat trips, snorkel boats and diving tours. Marina and dock areas provide views over the park waters (including mooring/dock areas such as Largo Sound referenced for moorings).

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsFlorida State Parks reservations website (park page links to reservations); phone 800-326-3521; TDD 888-433-0287. For some group-site reservations call the park at 305-676-3777.

Total Campsites42 campsites

Best CampsitesSites 1 through 22 sit next to a stagnant, sulfur-smelling pond and get complaints about odor and bugs. Avoid these if you're sensitive. One camper recommended site 35 for a mid-size RV, citing its proximity to a clean bathhouse and distance from the pond. Many sites are deep enough for rigs up to 57 feet but narrow (about 15 to 17 feet) and closely spaced. The best sites are usually on the ends or have slightly more vegetation between neighbors for a bit of privacy. Because the campground is small and demand is high, book any available site and try to adjust later if a preferred spot opens up.

Need help booking John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park?

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Florida State Parks Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

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Cancellation Alerts

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Amenities available

Site amenities include full-service campground facilities, a shower station and restrooms, laundry, picnic pavilions, a boat ramp and marina services, visitor center and on-site food/concession options.

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Water hookups

Sewer hookups

Fire rings

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

A wide range of water-based and on‑land activities are offered, including snorkeling, scuba diving, glass‑bottom boat tours, paddling, boating, fishing, beach swimming, hiking short trails and wildlife viewing; visitor center aquariums and interpretive programs are available.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available at this campground. Expect vault or pit toilets only.

No Dump StationThere is no dump station at this campground. Plan to use a dump station along your route or at a nearby facility before or after your stay.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.2

50 reviews

Satisfactory

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Overall visitor sentiment is positive: campers praise the park for exceptional access to snorkeling, diving and boat tours, full hookups at campsites, and helpful staff. Common drawbacks mentioned by visitors include tight, closely spaced sites, occasional pond odor/bugs near some sites, limited shade, and busy peak-season crowds.

Review Summaries

Based on 50 reviews

What Campers Love

Excellent access to coral reefs via snorkel, dive and glass-bottom boat tours; 42 reservable campsites with water, sewer and 30/50/110-volt electrical hookups; visitor center with large saltwater...

Based on 50 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Book campsites well in advance; avoid sites adjacent to the pond if sensitive to odors or mosquitoes; bring sun and insect protection and plan for limited campsite privacy; come primarily for water...

Based on 50 reviews

Camper Quotes

“Great and quiet park with aquarium, swimming, kayaking, paddle boating, camping and general fun.” — Google review. “The sites had full hookups which was super convenient.” — Google review. “I hate...

Based on 50 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

RVers who pre-book months out and plan to spend most of their time in the water, on a snorkel boat, or on a glass-bottom tour, full hookups (30/50-amp, water, sewer) mean comfortable evenings after long days on the reef.

Skip if

Tent campers, solitude-seekers, and anyone expecting a tropical shoreline view: sites are narrow, closely packed, some smell of pond sulfur, and the 'beach' is small and rocky rather than the wide sandy kind most people picture in the Keys.

Campgrounds

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

About Cachuma Lake

Context for the broader area surrounding John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, sourced from the federal Recreation.gov rec-area record.

Cachuma Reservoir, formed by <A HREF="http://www.usbr.gov/dataweb/dams/ca10136.htm">Bradbury Dam</a>, offers a prime recreational opportunity for the south central coast area of California. The <A HREF="http://www.usbr.gov/dataweb/html/cachuma.html">Cachuma Project</a> is located in the Santa Ynez Valley, the area provides an aesthetic view of the Santa Ynez mountains. The recreation area is adjacent to the Los Padres National Forest. Easily accessible from Santa Barbara, the area provide excellent camping facilities with full hookups for RV's. The lake is stocked during the winter months with trout and provides excellent bass fishing year round. The park is currently developing a recreational fisheries program in cooperation with the California Department of Fish and Game. Day use areas include trails and picnic facilities.

Directions

From Santa Barbara take Highway 101 to the San Marcos Pass exit, Highway 154. The park entrance is about 20 miles from this point. From the North take Highway 101 to State Highway 154.. Cachuma Lake is about 20 miles east.