Are you the owner for this park? Make it a featured listing and be seen in the top search results!
Larry & Penny Thompson Campground
Overview
Spanning over 270 acres of natural woodland, Larry & Penny Thompson Campground offers a serene escape from the urban energy of South Florida. Named after legendary Miami Herald columnist Bill S. "Larry" Thompson and his wife Penny, this park provides a unique opportunity to camp within one of the region's largest remaining stands of South Florida slash pine. It serves as a lush, green sanctuary where the sounds of the city are replaced by the rustle of trees and native bird calls.
Location & Surroundings
Located in the southwestern portion of Miami-Dade County, the park is uniquely situated adjacent to Zoo Miami. Unlike the high-rise landscape associated with Miami Beach, this area is characterized by fruit groves, nurseries, and wide-open spaces. The campground provides a central base for exploring the diverse ecosystems of the Everglades National Park while remaining close enough to the city for convenient access to shopping, dining, and essential supplies.
Amenities & Park Features
The facility features 240 campsites, all of which are equipped with full utility hookups including water, sewer, and electrical service. Travelers can enjoy the convenience of modern restroom and shower facilities, along with on-site laundry rooms for extended stays. For recreation, the park boasts a large freshwater lake with its own seasonal swimming beach. Miles of paved walking and jogging trails wind through the property, offering peaceful routes for exercise under the tropical canopy.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
The park’s proximity to Zoo Miami makes it a favorite for those wanting to spend multiple days visiting the world-class wildlife exhibits. Just a short drive away, the Gold Coast Railroad Museum offers a glimpse into locomotive history. For those seeking adventure, the park serves as an excellent gateway to the Florida Keys and Biscayne National Park, allowing RVers to experience the best of Florida’s marine and terrestrial environments within a single trip.
Who This Park Is Best For
This campground is ideal for family travelers who want plenty of space for children to play and explore in a safe, gated environment. It is also a perfect fit for nature enthusiasts and long-term winter residents looking for a quieter, more rustic Florida experience compared to the typical commercial RV resort. If you prefer birdwatching and canopy-shaded sites over the glitz of the shoreline, this park will feel like a true home away from home.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- Internet
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Allen Barrow
Not MDT or HDT friendly, made me pay to park in storage because it’s loud. Didn’t stop them parking someone next to us at 10:30 at night. Don’t leave gate open so you can get to a traffic light to make left turn early in the morning. Mayhem turning left. Pool wasn’t open till last two days of my stay with bankers hours. It is extremely quiet and beautiful! Good laundry and showers.
Bianca Muscillo
I couldn't wait another min to leave a review. DO NOT come here if you have children. The pool rules when it's actually open no goggles, floating devices, toy, jumping playing and they actually come out and tell you no playing. We walked the trail closer to sundown and someone threw a bolder at us. We told the park ranger and they said it's homeless people and they also come out at night and write messages with poop on the walls. Its unsafe and not kid friendly. Dont waste your time.
Myra Huston
I will call the are were you park your rv the room. Aside from spacious parking areas the ground are spectacular. Lots of shade trees and trails to walk. There is a pooland beach with a water slide. We stayed in the park for about 5 mos. I can honestly say the staff and especially the front desk staff are on point. A wonderful group of young women and men always at the ready. Professional and Hard working I can't say enough. Thank you for making our stay so pleasant.
MARY ANGUIANO
We stayed at Larry & Penny Thompson Memorial Park in Miami, Florida from December 22, 2024 – January 5, 2025. We were in Pod 6 site 11, a back-in, with a concrete pad with full hook-ups, and a picnic table patio. The site was spacious enough to comfortably fit our 42' RV, with plenty of room left to park both our truck and car in front of it. The site was shaded by trees on either side, which provided a nice break from the Florida sun and added a touch of privacy. There were plenty of grassy areas around us. The campground is thoughtfully laid out with several pods, each featuring a building with bathrooms, showers, and laundry facilities, all of which were clean and well-maintained. Since the campgrounds were so big, it was nice to have several options to do laundry. The grounds were peaceful, and the park felt safe and welcoming. The park is pet-friendly, and while there isn’t a designated off-leash area within the campground itself, there’s plenty of grassy space for walking your dog. A dedicated dog park is also located nearby, which is a great option for letting your pet run and play. One important note for pet owners: during our stay, there were several fireworks shows in the area. While they were beautiful, the noise did make our dogs a bit anxious and restless—something to keep in mind if your pets are sensitive to loud sounds. One of the highlights of our stay was the abundance of wildlife throughout the park. It offered a peaceful and refreshing opportunity to unwind, connect with nature, and simply enjoy the beauty of the surroundings. There were plenty of activities around the park and nearby areas. There are bike and hiking trails, beaches, seasonal waterslides, golf courses, marinas, fitness zones, and a nearby zoo. It’s a great place for all walks of life. This is a great spot if you're visiting the Miami area and want a comfortable, well-kept campground with plenty of space and amenities. I would recommend staying at this park.
M5 Travel Family
We stayed at Larry and Penny Thompson Campground while staying in southern Florida, and it ended up being one of our favourite practical stops. Full hook-up site, no issues at all. Power, water, and sewer were all solid. The campground is wide open and well laid out. Lots of space between sites, wide roads, and tons of room for the kids to bike without stress. There’s a massive park right next door with trails, lakes, and playgrounds—great for letting off steam after long drive days. The site was quiet at night and felt safe. Our dog loved it too—lots of walking space and dog-friendly areas. One of the wildest moments? We actually saw a panther in the park next to the campground. Totally unexpected and surreal. Bathrooms and showers were older but clean. Staff were straight to the point—check-in was quick, no nonsense. Strange pool hours and rules—zero tolerance on kids pool toys when we were there. No Wi-Fi at the sites, cell signal was good, we managed. Location is the big win here—close to Miami, the Keys, Everglades, and Zoo Miami is right across the road. Grocery and gas close by too. This isn’t a resort. It’s a clean, spacious, laid back campground that gives you room to breathe and a great base to explore from. If you’re traveling as a family, especially with bikes and a dog, it checks a lot of boxes. We’d absolutely return.