Elliott Key Campground
The Quick Take
Elliott Key is camping for people who mean it. There is no driving here — you load your gear into a boat and cross Biscayne Bay to reach this slender island, which immediately filters out anyone looking for a casual weekend with hookups and a camp store. What you get in return is a small, waterside campground where the sound of lapping waves replaces the hum of generators. Sites sit along the harbor and under a canopy of hardwood hammock, with picnic tables, grills, and restrooms that include cold-water showers — luxurious by island-camping standards. The mile-long nature loop is a warm-up; the real draw is Spite Highway, a six-mile trail with a story as wild as the island itself. First-come, first-served and rarely full on weekdays, this is the spot for paddlers, boaters, and anyone who believes the best campgrounds require a little effort to reach.
Booking
Reserve Your Campsite
20 sites, first-come first-served.
What You Get
Sites & Setup
RV Information
RVs allowed. No electrical hookups.
Accessibility
Accessible restrooms available. The island is uneven and unpaved and not suitable for most mobility devices. No Roads
Pro Tips
Check the tide charts before you go — the marina entrance drops to about two and a half feet at low tide, which can strand shallow-draft boats or make entry dicey for deeper hulls. Plan your arrival and departure around mid-to-high tide.
There is no potable water on the island. Bring every drop you need, and then bring more. A good rule is one gallon per person per day, plus extra for cooking. Collapsible water containers beat individual bottles for packing efficiency on a boat.
Weekends from November through April draw the most visitors, but midweek trips — especially Tuesday through Thursday — often leave you with the campground nearly to yourself. The shoulder months of October and early May offer warm water, fewer mosquitoes than summer, and almost guaranteed solitude.
Photos
NPS photo by Karen Adkins