The Florida Keys

The Florida Keys represents the ultimate destination for many RVers. For some, it’s the allure of warm winters that brings them down south. For other’s, just the thought of traveling with an RV to somewhere as enticing as the Florida Keys is powerful enough to have them hitting the road. Regardless, nobody can deny that a Florida Keys road trip should be on everyone’s bucket list.

In this episode, we travel up and down Highway 1 to show you the best activities and the best place to camp on your trip to the Florida Keys.

What to do in the Florida Keys

Scuba Dive at John Pennekamp State Park

There are many great places to snorkel and scuba dive in the Florida Keys. One of the best and most often recommended, however, is John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. The living reefs and marine wildlife are so special that John Pennekamp was the first underwater park created in the United States. The park covers over 70 nautical miles so there is plenty of areas to explore. Don’t miss the underwater Christ of the Abyss statue! The park has equipment for rent and also offers scuba and snorkel tours.

Experience one of the World’s Best Skydive Destinations

Skydiving might not be the first activity you think of when you imagine visiting the Keys. If you want to inject a thrill into your relaxing vacation, then we recommend taking to the skies. The Keys is a great place to skydive because it is so incredibly beautiful and gives you a completely different perspective of the islands.  Skydive Key West is the best company in the area and will ensure that you have a safe and wonderful experience! We had the time of our lives and recommend it to anyone.

Enjoy Lively Key West

People like to have fun in Key West and Old Town Key West (Duval Street) is the place to go if you are looking for a good time. It’s hard to explain, but there is an electricity that you can feel as you walk around the streets. Perhaps it’s the warm weather, perhaps it’s the rum, but the scene is lively and something that you should experience.

Old Town Key West offers more than just bars and restaurants. Here are a couple of other things you shouldn’t miss on your trip:

Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum

Ernest Hemingway is one of America’s most beloved and respected authors. He spent 10 years living in Key West and found plenty of writing inspiration in the beauty and challenges provided by living on the island. Today, you can relive history and explore the iconic author’s beautiful home and gardens. There are also over 40 cats that live on the property that are said to be descendants of the cats that Hemingway kept during his time on the island.

Fort Zachary State Historic Site

Don’t miss stepping back in time and visiting Fort Zachary State Historic Site. Completed in 1866, Fort Zachary still stands today. Walk through the red brick corridors and imagine life in the 19th century while taking stock of the world’s largest cache of civil war armorment.

And if history isn’t really your thing, the most popular beach in Key West is also located inside the park, which you won’t want to miss.

Mallory Square

Mallory Square is the place to be during sunset in Key West. Each day, thousands flock to this lively square to watch and celebrate the ending of another day. The Sunset Celebration begins two hours before sunset. It’s wonderful to experience the pageantry, history and sheer beauty of a Key West sunset. There’s no shortage of food and drink options, souvenir shops and street performers. The square is right in the heart of Old Town and a great place to start your evening. We recommend getting there early so you can capture that perfect sunset picture without being blocked by others.

Visit Dry Tortuga National Park

If your idea of a good time includes being outside and visiting a national park, plan a day (you will need an entire day) and take a trip to Dry Tortugas National Park. Dry Tortugas is located 70 miles from Key West and is one of the most remote national parks. You can only access the park via a ferry or by seaplane and there are little to no amenities. That being said, Dry Tortugas enchants visitors with pristine white sandy beaches and unspoiled Caribbean blue waters. There is abundant wildlife and you may see turtles, dolphins and plenty of other marine life. Dry Tortugas is also historically interesting. Fort Jefferson still stands and can be explored during your visit.

Where to Camp

RV parks are plentiful in the Keys. We loved Fiesta Key RV Resort and Marina on Long Key. The park offers tons of amenities including a great swimming pool, a game and recreation room, basketball and tennis courts, and a playground for kids. You can reserve a spot right along the ocean and have your own slice of beach paradise. The location is good, too. It’s located in the middle of the Keys which allows you to travel to Key West or to Key Largo in about an hour. There are plenty of amenities in Islamorada which is only 20 minutes away. All in all, Fiesta Key RV Resort was one of our favorites!

The RV

We stayed in a Keystone Cougar 32RLI and loved it. This travel trailer has plenty of natural light from the large back windows. The living space is great. We loved the opposing slide-outs in the living room /kitchen because it opened the space and made the entire room feel very large.  Storage is exceptional and there is plenty of to store your belongings. All in all, the Cougar is a great choice for families requiring more sleeping space or anyone looking for a well designed, spacious travel trailer.

Want More Happy Camper Bucket List?

The Happy Camper Bucket List Ep. 1 – America’s Historic Triangle

The Happy Camper Bucket List Ep.2 – Outer Banks, NC

The Happy Camper Bucket List Ep. 3 – Savannah, GA

The Happy Camper Bucket List Ep. 4 – Memphis, TN

The Happy Camper Bucket List Ep. 5 – New Orleans, LA

The Happy Camper Bucket List Ep. 6 – Asheville, NC