John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Campground
Florida State Park
Write a Review 102601 Overseas Hwy Key Largo, FL 33037 305-676-3777 Reservations: 800-326-3521 Official WebsiteGPS: 25.127, -80.4092
Overview of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Campground
Last Price Paid: $36
Reported by camper-810379 on 10/26/2023
Longest RV Reported: 38 feet
Reported by barrygoodtimes on 1/15/2017
Number of Sites 42
Reservations yes
Elevation 0 ft / 0 m
Max Stay 14
Max Length 55 ft
Tent Camping Yes
Unlock pro campendium features
Featured Video by LivingOurDreamNow
Q&A - Ask the Community about John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Campground
To ask questions of the owner or manager please contact the campground directly. 305-676-3777
camper-769532 asked on 1/6/2023
Does anyone know if you can check-in early ? If not can you enter the park, and there is ample parking for vehicle an...
Reviews of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Campground 35 people have reviewed this location.
“A base camp experience ”
Reviewed 6/17/2019
Nightly rate: | $43 |
---|---|
Days stayed: | 7 |
Site Number: | 22 |
RV Length: | 24' (Truck Camper) |
This campground is a perfect base camp for all the area offers. Frankly, there’s enough to do right in the park to keep you busy but it’s still close enough to a lot of activities outside the park as well. Campsites are full hook ups but lined up similar to what you get in an RV Park. The best rangers in the entire Florida park system.... more
This campground is a perfect base camp for all the area offers. Frankly, there’s enough to do right in the park to keep you busy but it’s still close enough to a lot of activities outside the park as well. Campsites are full hook ups but lined up similar to what you get in an RV Park. The best rangers in the entire Florida park system. Go and have fun!
Gypsy Boots would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Awesome Park”
Reviewed 12/10/2018
Nightly rate: | $38 |
---|---|
Days stayed: | 9 |
Site Number: | 6 |
Great state park with many activities. Easy to get in and out. Area has everything you need.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Can't beat the location”
Reviewed 4/17/2018
Nightly rate: | $43 |
---|---|
Days stayed: | 3 |
Site Number: | 8 |
RV Length: | 30' (Travel Trailer) |
There's not much to this campground...it's a half-moon shaped road with a bunch of sites stacked up side-by-side. The sites are small, tight and shallow...but you're here for the location, not the spacious sites. A couple detractors...Because you're so close to your neighbor, their smells (from the sewer) is right there. Our neighb... more
There's not much to this campground...it's a half-moon shaped road with a bunch of sites stacked up side-by-side. The sites are small, tight and shallow...but you're here for the location, not the spacious sites.
A couple detractors...Because you're so close to your neighbor, their smells (from the sewer) is right there. Our neighbor was having some challenges I think with his black water and we got way too much smelliness since his drain was feet from our spot. Another thing is that one water spigot supplies 2 sites. This means that one site has to run a longer length of hose under their camper to reach it, and the water pressure is shared between two sites which can mean lower pressure.
Our site was level and easy to back into. Site 8 was probably the best site in the park. We had family that stayed in one of the sites in the 30s and they barely had room for their slides. We also backed up to the water which was nice.The sites on the opposite side of the road have some structures and staff campers behind them so I'd recommend the side we stayed on.
The park itself is small, though it has some really beautiful aspects. It has 3 small beaches, each one feeling a little different. We preferred "Far Beach". It has a little path that takes you to a shallow spot out in the water that allowed for some great pics of the sunset behind the beach.
We opted to use "Reef Roamers" catamarans for our snorkeling trip which I'm so glad we did, compared to the state park's boats. We also kayaked the "Mangrove Trails" which was a lot of fun.
Overall, I'd definitely stay here again, especially to be in the area that we were in.
thecrazygoodlife.com would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Re opened after hurricanes”
Reviewed 12/2/2017
Nightly rate: | $45 |
---|---|
Days stayed: | 5 |
Site Number: | 45 |
RV Length: | 22' |
The park has re-opened after the hurricanes. They definitely lost a ton of trees but you can see they've replanted and will come back strong again. It does mean that there is hardly any privacy between you and your neighbor and not a lot of shade coverage. The sites are hard packed and fairly level, and it is a beautiful place to explo... more
The park has re-opened after the hurricanes. They definitely lost a ton of trees but you can see they've replanted and will come back strong again. It does mean that there is hardly any privacy between you and your neighbor and not a lot of shade coverage. The sites are hard packed and fairly level, and it is a beautiful place to explore so it's still very worth it and it is currently the only state park in the keys open as well. Bathrooms are clean and showers are really spacious. Mangroves are wonderful to paddle through and explore. We saw lots of upside down jellyfish in the lagoon which was really neat. Rangers were really friendly and helpful. If you're going to arrive after 5pm, make sure you call ahead to get the gate code to get in.
Fair warning...you're backed up to mangroves. Bring noseeums bug spray. While not really any mosquitos in the winter, the noseeums will bite a lot and are small enough to get through your screens.
@ChasingTabor would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Florida State Parks "The Real Florida"”
Reviewed 11/16/2017
Nightly rate: | $26 |
---|---|
Days stayed: | 1 |
Site Number: | 43 |
RV Length: | 25' |
We arrived at Coral Reefer band state park two months after hurricane Irma. A lot of the park was still closed. We didn't have a reservation, you need to book the Keys state parks 11 months in advance, but we lucked out and scored the last one after a cancelation. Went for a kayack through the mangroves witch has a signed canoeing trai... more
We arrived at Coral Reefer band state park two months after hurricane Irma. A lot of the park was still closed. We didn't have a reservation, you need to book the Keys state parks 11 months in advance, but we lucked out and scored the last one after a cancelation. Went for a kayack through the mangroves witch has a signed canoeing trail that is extremely beautiful and calm. The hurricane closed part of the park and some of the really cool board walk trail through the main groves. The camp ground was small but clean. The camp spots where as small as they come for state parks we where right on top of our neighbors. Luckily they where really cool couple from the tampa area. As far as the hurricane damage, the area was't bad, a lot of debris pilled up along the 1, and the loss of some mobil homes, but all and all not bad. The mangroves still had all there leaves, compared to the damage we saw on the middle keys with whole islands striped down to there bare branches and home relocated across the street.
Pixel and Skillet would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Small sites but convenient to dive store and excellent diving”
Reviewed 4/28/2017
Nightly rate: | $38 |
---|---|
Days stayed: | 3 |
Site Number: | 35 |
Agree with other reviewers that the sites were narrow with little privacy. There were also a few mosquitoes and no-seeums about. But for me, the dive shop, which was a quick stroll away from the campground made up for that. Had the best dive with the friendly crew at the diveshop at Molasses Reef. Betsy, who manages the diveshop is... more
Agree with other reviewers that the sites were narrow with little privacy. There were also a few mosquitoes and no-seeums about.
But for me, the dive shop, which was a quick stroll away from the campground made up for that. Had the best dive with the friendly crew at the diveshop at Molasses Reef. Betsy, who manages the diveshop is super friendly and informative too. Saw numerous marine life - sea turtle, sting ray, reef sharks, nurse sharks, loads of tropical fish! Can't wait till I can come back again!
traveling_flipflops would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Affordable Camping in Key Largo for Diving”
Reviewed 3/4/2017
Nightly rate: | $38 |
---|---|
Days stayed: | 22 |
Site Number: | 15, 32, 6, 35 |
Compared to the other state parks in the Keys, this campground is lacking. You're not right next to or on the beach and the sites are cramped and open. What makes up for this is the affordability of the park in Key Largo and having a marina in the park. We rented a boat with friends and went on a couple of dive trips with the park. Th... more
Compared to the other state parks in the Keys, this campground is lacking. You're not right next to or on the beach and the sites are cramped and open. What makes up for this is the affordability of the park in Key Largo and having a marina in the park. We rented a boat with friends and went on a couple of dive trips with the park. They also have snorkel trips.
The beaches are pretty, but they are coral, so it's advisable to wear water shoes.
The laundry is $1.50 for each machine (2 each). If you dry on low, it may take two cycles. The restrooms were clean.
There are two nature trails in the park that both allow dogs. You can reach one by going to the end of the campground. It's actually a good shortcut to the marina, too.
Beware of the low hanging trees in the sites. They outlook that bad until you start trying to back in.
Kerensa & Brandon would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Cramped sites, good location”
Reviewed 1/28/2017
Nightly rate: | $38 |
---|---|
Days stayed: | 6 |
Site Number: | 36 |
John Pennekamp has full hookups and a low nightly rate for the location. The downside is, the campground is so cramped that your neighbor's sewer connection is predominant in your outdoor space and smells are regularly wafting through the campground. We didn't use the bathhouse or laundry, though we did take advantage of the marina ... more
John Pennekamp has full hookups and a low nightly rate for the location. The downside is, the campground is so cramped that your neighbor's sewer connection is predominant in your outdoor space and smells are regularly wafting through the campground.
We didn't use the bathhouse or laundry, though we did take advantage of the marina and rented a boat and with some friends to go snorkeling.
NOT BOOSTED:
Verizon - DOWNLOAD: 4.29Mb/s, UPLOAD: 10.97Mb/s
AT&T - DOWNLOAD: 12.34Mb/s, UPLOAD: 1.78Mb/s
BOOSTED:
Verizon - DOWNLOAD: 8.67Mb/s, UPLOAD: 15.66Mb/s (4 bars LTE)
AT&T - DOWNLOAD: 20.10Mb/s, UPLOAD: 6.19Mb/s (5 bars LTE)
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Falling out of love all over again...”
Reviewed 1/25/2017
Nightly rate: | $44 |
---|---|
Days stayed: | 2 |
Site Number: | 9 |
Dear Mr. Pennekamp, CR, It is with a heavy heart that I write you from the trenches of the Floridian strip malls, where I have seen many of my fellow campers go broke from high fees at RV parks or find their souls tattered from lack of hope that they might ever get a reservation at one of the Sunshine State's great sites at a state ... more
Dear Mr. Pennekamp, CR,
It is with a heavy heart that I write you from the trenches of the Floridian strip malls, where I have seen many of my fellow campers go broke from high fees at RV parks or find their souls tattered from lack of hope that they might ever get a reservation at one of the Sunshine State's great sites at a state park.
Months ago in preparation for a visit to these fabled Florida Keys, I booked my reservation with your fine establishment. I would be remiss should I not mention that I was indeed hoping to find the favor of your sister to the south, Bahia Honda, but a certain light did come to develop in my eyes when I realized that I might have a shot at spot number 9 in your own campground. Given my relatively vast experience with state parks throughout Florida, I had nothing but the highest of hopes...and perhaps that is where our relationship's downfall began.
They say expectations set too high are the source of all problems, and I am--for that--admittedly guilty. Where I had hoped for some sandy, waterfront expanse to pitch my tents, park my van, grill my own food and rally 'round a campfire nightly with my family as we basked in the glow of the Real Florida, these small slices of the Keys left untainted by too many a flip flop shop or Starbucks drive through, I arrived to a grim sort of reality that my six day reservation was, in all likelihood, six days too long.
Instead of a spacious area to call my own come evening's beckon, a nice patch of nature to call home after long days spent frolicking in the waters and amongst the birds for which we largely came to this region to enjoy, I was greeted with what I can best describe as an RV park, and of the least desirable type.
While those coming here are, admittedly, more likely to do so in a large RV where they can retreat into the living spaces and lose themselves in the broadcast networks of their choice, for the camper who is in it for the nature, for a chance to be outside and enjoy the world around him, this is simply not what your grounds could afford.
Sleeping in a tent to the soft hum of my neighbor's hot water heater dappled with the barking of his dogs, I realize now the good fortunes of my past. That ground fires are not permitted is not your own fault entirely, but to provide raised pits for your guests perhaps would have been a token of appreciation that this fling we had together meant something more to you than just another leveling jack crunching on your gravel pad.
Please don't get me wrong, they were all not bad times. Indeed, the massive orange iguanas, the herrons and ibis, the whistle of the palmettos and even the nightly raccoons and feral cats who frequented our site in hopes of finding some crumb my children left behind were all lovely experiences. Likewise, nor do I hold the unseasonably cold weather, the rain or the mosquitos against you. Indeed, these are the rigors I have come to appreciate about camping.
Should you find it in your heart to expand the slice of the park meant for campers, or perhaps even to rework the campsites so that each could have even 1/3rd more space, were that time to come I hope we can wipe clean these past indiscretions and give what I had hoped would be a strong young love a chance to flourish anew.
It will be difficult though. Just as it was difficult to leave without saying goodbye, four days early, and only over the phone. Just as I find it nearly insurmountable that your otherwise fine park attendants didn't bother to mention that I was indeed owned a partial refund, a policy for which I commend you, but take some piece of sorrow with me back to the mainland that I hadn't been openly made aware of upon checkout.
I wish you nothing but the best, and please tell the lovely ranger who was astounded that my 4 and 5 year old boys could complete an incredibly difficult Junior Ranger Program in but two days that, should she check her records, we are the first to have ever completed said program a few years back.
Now I am just bragging...
Regretfully no longer yours,
Nathan P. Sourcamper
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great short stop”
Reviewed 1/15/2017
Nightly rate: | $46 |
---|---|
Days stayed: | 2 |
Site Number: | 10 |
RV Length: | 38' |
This is a great stop on your way down the keys. There are so many activities that you can do here (see the other reviews below). The bugs were insane in December (No See Ums), we couldn't be outside in the evening...so have bug repellant on hand. Very easy access into the park from the highway. The campground itself is not very impress... more
This is a great stop on your way down the keys. There are so many activities that you can do here (see the other reviews below). The bugs were insane in December (No See Ums), we couldn't be outside in the evening...so have bug repellant on hand. Very easy access into the park from the highway. The campground itself is not very impressive for a state park, but the park itself has great features, like a nature center with aquariums, trails and a small beach. It was worth staying here just to have entry into the state park for a day. We enjoyed it here, but I wouldn't stay for more than a night or two.
barrygoodtimes would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
Be the first to add a note for John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Campground!
9 Stunning Florida Keys Campgrounds You'll Love in 2020
Are you searching for the best Florida Keys Campground?! If so, we understand your pain. Camping in the Florida Keys is amazing – but finding the best site is a huge challenge. Today we’re here to h...
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Campground Review - Know Your Campground
OVERVIEW John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is the first undersea park in the United States, and encompasses approximately 70 nautical square miles. This Florida Keys park was created to protec...
Diving in Florida
Yay, Florida! I’ve been looking forward to this leg of our trip ever since the idea for a cross-country RV trip was set in motion. Florida simply has plenty of the activities we love to do: swimming...
John Pennekamp State Park, Key Largo - SewMona
John Pennekamp State Park, Key Largo August 22, 2016 by sewmona Leave a Comment *This post contains affiliate links. We wanted to do one last camping trip before school started (anyone else thi...
Freecampers
NS, CanadaRV camping and boondocking - RV boondocking blog
8/31/2016 0 Comments Although this is not a true boondocking location, I am listing John Pennekamp as my first blog ab...
RV Camping at John Pennekamp State Park Key Largo, Florida
Considered America’s first undersea park, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo is a popular destination for visitors who enjoy life on the water and below. The park is approximately 7...
The Journey to Self Sufficiency: John Pennekamp State Park - Key Largo, FL
Last week we had the pleasure of staying at John Pennekamp State Park in Key Largo, FL for three nights. We loved it. I would definitely recommend this park to others, especially those with kids be...
Contact us to update this listing.
Amenities
Hookups
- 50 Amp
- 30 Amp
- 20 Amp
- water
- sewer
- Full Hookups
Recreation
- boat ramp
- boat rental
- fishing
- picnic area
- recreation trail
- swimming beach
- water access
Site Amenities
- big rig
- picnic table
Facilities
- group sites
- ADA Accessible
- laundry
- restrooms: flush
- showers
- trash
- water available
Discount Clubs
- Senior Discounts
Pets
- pets
Nearby
Please select a reason for flagging this item: