Facilities

Club House

Laundry Room

Swimming Pool

Hot Tub

Fitness Center

Game Room

Rec Hall

Pavilion

Exercise Room

Restroom/Shower

Restroom Only

Shower Only

Restaurant

Groceries

RV Supplies

ATM Machine

WiFi

Dog Park

Cocktail Lounge

Dog Washing Station

Pit Toilet

Snack Bar

Play Ground

Sites

Water

20 Amp

30 Amp

50 Amp

Sewer

Cable TV

Services

Escort to Site

Self-Service RV Wash

Metered LP Gas

Firewood

Fishing Supplies

Pet Supplies

Onsite Rentals

Worship Services

Golf Carts

Fishing Guides

Onsite RV Service

Staffed RV Wash

Fishing Licenses

Complimentary Breakfast

Recreational activities in or near the park

Recreational Activities

Archery Range

ATV Riding

Biking

Boating

Body Of Water

Casino

Climbing

Dock

Driving Range

Fishing

Golf

Heated Pool

Hiking

Horseback Riding

Horseshoes

Kayaking

Lawn Bowling

Mini Golf

Paddle Boats

Pickle Ball

Putting Green

Ramp

Sauna

Shuffleboard

Snow Sports

Splash Pad

Swimming

Tennis

Wading Pool

Water Slide

Water Sports

Water Umbrella

Whitewater Rafting

Policies

RV Age Restrictions

Pets Welcome

Pet Restrictions

Pet Restriction on Quantity

Pet Restriction on Breed

Pet Restriction on Size

No Pets

Tent Camping Allowed

Folding Tent Campers Allowed

No Tents

No Overnight Guests

<h2>Overview</h2><p>Spanning over <strong>270 acres of natural woodland</strong>, 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 <strong>South Florida slash pine</strong>. It serves as a lush, green sanctuary where the sounds of the city are replaced by the rustle of trees and native bird calls.</p><h2>Location & Surroundings</h2><p>Located in the southwestern portion of Miami-Dade County, the park is uniquely situated adjacent to <strong>Zoo Miami</strong>. 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 <strong>Everglades National Park</strong> while remaining close enough to the city for convenient access to shopping, dining, and essential supplies.</p><h2>Amenities & Park Features</h2><p>The facility features <strong>240 campsites</strong>, 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 <strong>freshwater lake</strong> 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.</p><h2>Nearby Attractions & Things to Do</h2><p>The park’s proximity to <strong>Zoo Miami</strong> makes it a favorite for those wanting to spend multiple days visiting the world-class wildlife exhibits. Just a short drive away, the <strong>Gold Coast Railroad Museum</strong> offers a glimpse into locomotive history. For those seeking adventure, the park serves as an excellent gateway to the <strong>Florida Keys</strong> and Biscayne National Park, allowing RVers to experience the best of Florida’s marine and terrestrial environments within a single trip.</p><h2>Who This Park Is Best For</h2><p>This campground is ideal for <strong>family travelers</strong> who want plenty of space for children to play and explore in a safe, gated environment. It is also a perfect fit for <strong>nature enthusiasts</strong> 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.</p>



Larry and Penny Thompson Campground is located in Miami, Florida, and is part of the Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department. The campground is situated on the edge of the Everglades and is surrounded by lush tropical vegetation. It offers a variety of camping options, including RV sites, tent sites, and cabins. Amenities include a swimming pool, playground, picnic areas, and a camp store. The campground also offers a variety of activities, such as fishing, canoeing, and nature walks. Visitors can also explore the nearby Everglades National Park and Biscayne National Park.

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Larry & Penny Thompson Campground

RV Sites

Tent Sites

Stay at Larry & Penny Thompson Campground in Miami, FL. Enjoy 240 full-hookup sites, a swimming lake, and easy access to Zoo Miami in a lush woodland setting.

Larry & Penny Thompson Campground | Miami, FL

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

My daughters & I attended a baby shower here. I liked how nice the lawn was & the fact that there was a big pavilion.
I recommend park for celebrations.

Welcome to Camp Karen, a campground where camping feels forbidden. The pool’s open 30 hours a week (Wed to Sun, 11 AM to 5 PM, and strictly governed), but don’t count on swimming, as it’s cleaned and maintained during peak hours. Restrooms, showers, and laundry are locked 9 hours daily (10 PM to 7 AM, if they open on time), so bring a bucket if your RV’s bathroom isn’t an option or #2s in your camper aren’t your style. Rules are vague yet endless: “too many plants,” locked service area trashcans with tiny holes, and nothing, coolers, supplies, or storage, permitted under your camper. Kids, no matter what age, can't walk dogs or play independently, wow. Clothes? Hang them only near the bathrooms. Campfires? Allowed in far off firepits, but you’ll have to ask a neighbor to use their spigot and then haul a hose to the fire, as inconvenience is the vibe here. Signs litter the park. “No this, no that!” Security patrols like prison wardens with ticketing fever make for guaranteed grade school flashbacks. Despite gorgeous grounds, this HOA with trees jacked rates over 60% in October 2024, delivering zero value, just inconsistent rules and nonsense. Nearly everyone gets written up by overzealous wardens who prioritize enforcement over enjoyment. If all of this isn’t bad enough, management encourages snitching on one another to bolster authority. In this perfectly located gem of a location, maintenance has turned standard one off issues that all campgrounds must face into permanent blanket inconvenience rules for “campers.” It’s an anti-camping disaster. Opt for a Walmart lot or a real campground instead. No camping here, just retirees.

A decent enough park to visit with family and/or friends. Was here for a child’s birthday party. The parents rented one of the shelters and had all the usual entertainment for the kids. What impressed me about the park was how clean it was and how much ample parking was available close to the shelters.

This is a very nice campground with a heated swimming pool, daily activities, nicely spaced, paved, and tree lined campsites. My biggest complaint is that they doubled their monthly fee for next compared to what I am paying this year. The pool is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. It is a quiet and friendly campground. I wish they had pickleball.

I pulled in after dark and was met by Stanley with park security. He was very helpful in guiding me to our site and helping me back in as there were trees on both sides.
Emerald in the office was extremely helpful. Bathrooms, showers, laundry all clean. WiFi at the cabana was adequate. It’s a “howdy neighbor” campground as you’ll open your door to see others but overall a very nice park.

A first-class camping area adjacent to world-famous Zoo Miami. It has 270 acres of natural South Florida woodland, bridle trails and hiking paths. Comments It comes highly recommended!; We have stayed there and love the park. I would go again. - Review provided by RV Park Recommendations & Reviews Facebook Group