Bahia Honda State Park: Our Favorite Florida Keys Camping Escape

Bahia Honda State Park review: after camping here three different times, we can confidently say this is our favorite state park in the Florida Keys. Located in the Middle Keys, just past Marathon and before Big Pine Key, Bahia Honda combines beautiful waterfront camping, clear blue water, and the kind of laid-back atmosphere that keeps us coming back every chance we get.

From the moment you arrive, Bahia Honda feels special. The park staff have always been friendly, welcoming, and efficient, and on our first visit they even suggested we spend time at Sandspur Beach while we waited for our campsite to be ready. That first impression set the tone for every stay we have had here, and it is a big part of why this Bahia Honda State Park review is such an easy one to write.

Where to Stay: Buttonwood, Bayside, Sandspur, and Cabins

Because we travel in a 30-foot Class A motorhome, we always stay at Buttonwood Campground, which can accommodate rigs up to 65 feet. Bahia Honda also has Bayside Campground, which is mostly tent camping, and Sandspur Campground for tents and smaller rigs. If camping is not your thing, the park also offers six rental cabins. For current reservation details, campground updates, and park information, check the official Bahia Honda State Park website.

Buttonwood Campground sits between the old and new bridges on the Gulf side at the southern tip of the island. We have stayed at sites 13, 16, and 25, and all three were waterfront sites. We love being right on the water, but the interior sites tucked back in the trees also offer a lot more privacy for campers who prefer a more secluded feel.

The campground has several clean bathhouses, and even though our motorhome has a good bathroom, Kate still loves the long showers and endless hot water that Florida State Park bathhouses often provide. Most Buttonwood sites include 50-amp service and water, but no septic hookup, so having the bathhouse nearby makes our setup even easier.

Our Favorite Part: Life on the Water

Our favorite thing to do at Bahia Honda is spend as much time as possible in, on, and around the water. We always bring our inflatables with us, including a stand-up paddleboard and two NRS fishing kayaks, so we are ready to get out on the water every chance we get.

Our daughters love fishing, snorkeling, and spotting marine life, and Bahia Honda is an incredible place for all three. Kate has waded right out from our campsite to snorkel and spotted endangered sea stars, barracudas, and parrotfish. She has also snorkeled at Loggerhead Beach, which is just a short bike ride away, and paddleboarded over to Calusa Beach where she saw even more barracudas near the swimming area.

My personal favorite activity is much simpler. I could happily sit by the water, or even in the water, and watch the sun rise or set. The sunsets at Bahia Honda, especially from the campsites between the bridges, are some of the most beautiful I have ever seen.

Biking Around the Park

Another one of our favorite activities at Bahia Honda is biking. We almost always travel with three or four bikes on our Thor because we like to travel lightly without a tow car or trailer. Once the motorhome is parked, bikes become our main mode of transportation.

Biking around Bahia Honda is especially enjoyable because so much of the road runs along the water. The views are beautiful in every direction, and there is always wildlife to spot along the way. My favorite ride in the park is to the Bahia Honda Railroad Bridge overlook, with a stop at the marina camp store on the way back.

Don’t Miss the Railroad Bridge Overlook

The Bahia Honda Railroad Bridge overlook is one of the most memorable spots in the park. We leave our bikes at the bottom and take the short walk up to the bridge. Along the way, signs share the history of the bridge as well as information about the wildlife and surrounding area.

Once you reach the overlook, the views are unbelievable. Standing there, we could see the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Gulf on the other, along with a panoramic view of the campground, our Thor, the marina, and the beaches below. It is one of those places that makes you stop and soak it all in.

A Fun Stop at the Marina Store

After visiting the bridge overlook, we love stopping by the marina camp store. It has a little bit of everything you might need for camping or boating, and we have picked up souvenirs, snorkeling gear, and other supplies there on different trips.

On one visit, we grabbed ice cream cones from the cafe and sat at the picnic tables in the marina area while we watched and waited for manatees. It was one of those simple travel moments that ended up being one of our favorites.

The One Drawback: It’s Hard to Book

As much as we love Bahia Honda, the biggest downside is how difficult it can be to get a reservation. Like many Florida State Parks, it stays booked year-round. Every reservation we have ever managed to book there has come from a cancellation alert, and the longest we have been able to stay so far is just three days.

I would love to spend a full week there, or even two, but for now we are just happy to snag whatever time we can. If Bahia Honda is on your list, it is worth monitoring for cancellations and booking quickly when something opens up.

Final Thoughts

If you want to experience one of the most beautiful state parks in Florida, and maybe even in the whole United States, Bahia Honda State Park absolutely deserves a place on your bucket list. Whether you visit for a day trip, camp overnight, or get lucky enough to reserve one of the cabins, this breathtaking park is one you will not forget.

For our family, Bahia Honda is the kind of place we would return to again and again, and honestly, three visits still do not feel like enough.