Boca Chita Campground
The Quick Take
Boca Chita is the kind of campground that makes you earn it. There is no road here -- you are boating to a small island in Biscayne Bay, pitching your tent on a breezy, open lawn with the Miami skyline glowing on the horizon. The iconic ornamental lighthouse anchors the key, and the waterside sites feel more like a private island retreat than a national park campground. Compared to Elliott Key, the park's other island option, Boca Chita is more exposed and slightly more popular, but it trades Elliott's forested shade for unobstructed bay views and better sunset angles. Amenities are essentially nonexistent -- no potable water, no showers, no trash pickup -- so this is strictly a pack-everything-in, pack-everything-out affair. Best suited for boaters who want a genuine island camping experience without leaving South Florida.
Booking
Reserve Your Campsite
All 60 sites are reservable.
What You Get
Sites & Setup
RV Information
RVs allowed. No electrical hookups. Generators permitted during designated hours.
Accessibility
Accessible restrooms available. Most of the island is uneven, unpaved surfaces not suitable for most mobility devices. Restrooms are wheelchair accessible No Roads
Rules to Know
- Generators:Quiet Hours - 10 pm to 6 am.
- Bear Safety:Wildlife – Do not feed wildlife.
Pro Tips
Camping and docking fees are waived from May through September, but that is also peak mosquito and no-see-um season. The sweet spot is late October through early December -- bugs taper off, hurricane season winds down, and you still get warm nights without the winter weekend crowds.
The harbor entrance runs about four feet deep at low tide, so check your tide charts before heading over. If you are running a deeper-draft boat, plan your arrival and departure around high tide to avoid an embarrassing grounding in front of the whole campground.
Bring every drop of water you will need -- there are no sinks or potable water on the island. A good rule is one gallon per person per day, plus extra for cooking. Freeze a few jugs beforehand so they double as cooler ice on the boat ride over.
Photos
NPS photo by Matt JohnsonGetting There
Directions
There are two campgrounds in Biscayne National Park. Both are located on islands, Elliott Key and Boca Chita Key. The only access to these islands is by boat. No services are available on the islands.
Get directions