What are the hours and season for Bahia Honda State Park?

Bahia Honda State Park is open Year-round. Check-in: 3:00 PM. Check-out: 11:00 AM.

What are the fire rules at Bahia Honda State Park?

Fire rules at Bahia Honda State Park: No open campfires at Sandspur or Bayside. Buttonwood has provided charcoal grills. No wood-burning fires anywhere in the park. Propane stoves permitted everywhere.

What is the best time to visit Bahia Honda State Park?

Dec: Mild temperatures. No-see-ums minimal. Snowbird escape season. Jan: Best weather. Dry season. Water clearest. Feb: Perfect temperatures. Snorkeling visibility best. Nov: Shoulder season pricing. Quieter. Still warm enough to snorkel.

What are the best things to do near Bahia Honda State Park?

Near Bahia Honda State Park: Sandspur Beach snorkeling (Spanish Harbor shoals). Kayak to Flagler Bridge ruins. Sunset from Buttonwood Gulf side. Looe Key Reef snorkel trip (6 mi by boat).

Is there wildlife at Bahia Honda State Park?

Wildlife alert for Bahia Honda State Park: Key deer (an endangered subspecies of white-tailed deer) are found only in the Lower Keys — Bahia Honda is in their range. Do not feed them. Speed limit 35 mph on Big Pine Key is strictly enforced to protect them. Marine life very active: nurse sharks, rays, and sea turtles common in shallow water near camp.

What are the common problems at Bahia Honda State Park?

At Bahia Honda State Park: Only 80 sites for the most popular Keys campground — extremely hard to book. Solution: Florida residents book at 11 months, non-residents at 10 months via ReserveAmerica. Set a calendar reminder and log in before 9am on your booking day.

What are the insider tips for Bahia Honda State Park?

Insider tips for Bahia Honda State Park: Bahia Honda State Park rents kayaks and snorkel equipment on-site — bring your own mask for the best fit Looe Key Reef day trips depart from Big Pine Key (7 mi) — book in advance for the coral reef diving The old bridge walk is free and one of the best views in the Keys — do it at sunrise

What makes Bahia Honda State Park unique?

Kayaking to the old Flagler Railroad bridge at sunset — the historic structure that Henry Flagler built to connect the Keys by train in 1912. Snorkeling the pilings as the light fades is one of the most memorable experiences in Florida. ⇒ Water: Sandspur Beach on the north side of the park has clearer water than the main Loggerhead Beach — visibility 15+ feet in calm conditions. The tidal flat at low tide exposes live sand dollars and starfish. Snorkeling here is significantly better than the crowded side.

Bahia Honda State Park

✓ Sites Available

Florida Keys beach camping on the clearest water in the continental US

Big Pine Key, FL (Mile Marker 37)4.9 (4870)Sea level

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Bahia Honda State Park occupies the widest natural beach in the Florida Keys at Mile Marker 37, with three campgrounds (Sandspur, Buttonwood, Bayside) straddling the Atlantic and Gulf sides. The water is turquoise and gin-clear, the snorkeling rivals Caribbean destinations, and the old Henry Flagler railroad bridge is a landmark accessible by kayak. Year-round operation in a tropical climate. Only 80 sites total — cabins and waterfront sites are the hardest reservations in the Florida state park system. Book through ReserveAmerica at the 11-month window.

Things to do nearby

Looe Key ReefBig Pine KeyKey WestSandspur Beach snorkeling

Best For

SnorkelersFlorida Keys road-trippersBeach campersKayakersWinter sun-seekers

Site Types

TentRV (max 24 ft most loops)Waterfront cabins

Amenities

Flush Toilets

Showers

Drinking Water

Dump Station

Picnic Tables

Atlantic and Gulf Beach Access

Kayak and Snorkel Rentals

Boat Ramp

Waterfront Cabins

Check-in

3:00 PM

Check-out

11:00 AM

Season

Year-round

Max/site

6 people

Known Issues

Sandspur RV limit 24 ft. Very small campground — 80 sites for the most popular spot in the Keys. No-see-ums severe in shoulder seasons. Mosquitoes year-round at dusk. Cabins book out at exactly 11 months.

Cancellation Policy

Florida State Parks / ReserveAmerica: $6.50 non-refundable reservation fee. Cancel 2+ days: refund minus fee. Less than 2 days: no refund.

Why campers love Bahia Honda State Park

Bahia Honda has the clearest, most turquoise water in the continental United States. The snorkeling from Sandspur Beach rivals Caribbean destinations. You can kayak to the old Flagler Railroad bridge ruins, snorkel the pilings (which have become an artificial reef), and watch the sunset over the Gulf from Buttonwood campground all in the same day. In a country where great beach camping is rare, Bahia Honda is exceptional.

What's new in 2026

2026: Year-round operation. Florida State Parks reservation system. Book at ReserveAmerica.

What campers say about Bahia Honda State Park

"We snorkeled from the beach and saw more fish than on a paid dive boat in Key Largo. The water is that clear."

— TripAdvisor

"Sunset from Buttonwood over the Gulf was the most beautiful thing I've seen in Florida."

— The Dyrt

"No-see-ums destroyed us in April. Best no-see-um-proof tent is mandatory."

— Campendium

Not the right fit if…

✕You're visiting March-May without serious no-see-um protection
✕You have an RV over 24 ft at Sandspur
✕You can't book at 10-11 months in advance

Frequently asked questions

How much does Bahia Honda State Park cost per night?+

Bahia Honda State Park costs $43–$80 per night depending on site type and season. Hookup options: Bayside loop has electric + water hookups. Sandspur and Buttonwood: no hookups.

What season is Bahia Honda State Park open?+

Bahia Honda State Park is open Year-round. Check-in is 3:00 PM, check-out is 11:00 AM.

Does Bahia Honda State Park have hookups?+

Bayside loop has electric + water hookups. Sandspur and Buttonwood: no hookups.

What is the maximum RV length at Bahia Honda State Park?+

Bahia Honda State Park can accommodate RVs up to 24 feet long.

How do I make reservations at Bahia Honda State Park?+

Book Bahia Honda State Park directly at camperwatch.org/book/bahia-honda-state-park-campground. No booking fees. Select your dates and site type and pay online.

Does Bahia Honda State Park have cabins?+

Yes — Bahia Honda State Park offers cabin rentals in addition to tent and RV sites. Cabin availability and pricing vary by season. Book at camperwatch.org/book/bahia-honda-state-park-campground.

Does Bahia Honda State Park have beach access?+

Bahia Honda State Park has beach access. Check the campground details for distance and access points.

What is the cell service like at Bahia Honda State Park?+

Very limited. Most carriers get 1 bar at best in the Lower Keys. Download offline maps, your reservation, and any navigation before crossing the 7 Mile Bridge. No reliable internet from camp.

How far is Bahia Honda State Park from the nearest town?+

Nearest services: Big Pine Key — 7 miles. Key West — 37 miles.