Island Camping Trail
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
Mosquitoes and no-see-ums on the keys range from aggressive to biblical, especially in summer and after rain. Long sleeves, head nets, and serious DEET or picaridin are non-negotiable — this is not a drill.
Weather on Biscayne Bay can turn fast. If you're boating in, check marine forecasts carefully — afternoon thunderstorms from June through October can produce dangerous lightning and sudden swells that make crossing the bay hazardous.
Trail Details
- 1
Elliott Key has a seven-mile spine trail running its full length — if you want more mileage after setting up camp, this crushed-rock path through dense hammock forest is worth the detour and sees almost no foot traffic midweek.
- 2
Bring every drop of water you'll need. There's no potable water on the islands outside of what the harbor at Elliott Key occasionally provides, and that supply isn't guaranteed. Plan for a gallon per person per day minimum.
- 3
Boca Chita Key's ornamental lighthouse is the most photographed spot in the park — arrive by mid-afternoon to claim a waterfront campsite and shoot the lighthouse with Miami's skyline behind it at golden hour.