Island Hopping in the Florida Keys at Two Beachfront Getaways
You don’t need a yacht or a cruise line ticket for a tropical getaway in the Florida Keys. Just load up your RV and set out on the Overseas Highway, which connects major islands in the chain as it snakes for more than 100 miles from the mainland to Key West. Two destinations along the way deserve top spots on travelers’ itineraries: Fiesta Key RV Resort & Marina on Long Key and Sunshine Key RV Resort & Marina on Big Pine Key.
As part of the ThousandTrails.com network of campgrounds, both resorts are participating in a June special offering discounts between 25% and 50% off weekly stays. See below for details.
Photo Credit: Getty
Getting There
Not surprisingly, the Overseas Highway frequently ranks high in travel magazine lists of America’s top road trips. Consisting mainly of bridges that connect islands, the highway dishes out sweeping views of both the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean.
Drivers will be tempted to stop at the seafood restaurants and quirky shops along the way, with swaying palm trees and emerald waters forming the perfect backdrop.
Long Key
Located on the Overseas Highway about 93 miles south of Miami, Long Key immerses visitors in the laidback Keys culture. The island is famous as a fishing camp, but many of its land-based attractions deserve attention. The Long Key Natural Area and Nature Center feature nature and equestrian trails, compelling art exhibits as well as vibrant botanical life.
USA, Florida, White heron sitting on a tree in the sun
Another can’t-miss is Long Key State Park, a popular spot for bird watching, swimming, or kayaking. The park is a designated location on the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail, and appearances by herons, egrets, and ibis varieties are common.
The island is home to some of the best sport fishing in the Keys, and several charters can whisk visitors to top fishing for tarpon and other deep-sea catches. Prefer to stay away from boats? The famous Long Key Bridge, with a pedestrian path, offers anglers the chance to hook yellow jacks, mutton snappers, and others.
Fiesta Key RV Resort
Feel the essence of Keys living at Fiesta Key RV Resort & Marina, located right off the highway and surrounded by water on three sides. Guests might feel like they’re on their own private island as they explore the ample possibilities for recreation on the water. Relax at the pool or on the nearby beach. A marina with boat docks and a ramp gives adventurers many opportunities to hit the high seas. Rentals are available for paddlers who want to explore the nearby waterways.
Photo Credit: Fiesta Key RV Resort & Marina
Visitors can enjoy spectacular sunsets from their RV sites. There are 69 pull-throughs, and all sites have 30/50-amp power. Relax at the table available at each site or amble over to the resort’s Oceans 305 restaurant, which serves everything from coconut shrimp to ceviche.
As night falls, the resort’s festivities heat up. DJs and live bands keep the party going. The Sunday mimosas and Danish meetups give guests a chance to engage in the resort’s social scene. Canine owners can turn their pooch loose at the dog park.
Big Pine Fun
Situated at the westernmost point of Seven Mile Bridge, a lengthy segment of the Overseas Highway, Big Pine Key is one of the largest islands of the chain. Upon arriving in Big Pine Key, approximately 131 miles southeast of Miami, guests are presented with an extensive array of dining options and recreational opportunities. With dozens of miles of hiking trails, the area offers tourists up-close vistas of mangrove forests and hardwood hammocks. The area’s quiet beaches lure tourists who want to go fishing, snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking, and scuba diving.
Photo Credit: Getty
One of the main attractions on the island is the National Key Deer Refuge, which is home to its namesake creature, up to 30 inches tall, that flourishes in the dense hardwood hammocks that develop there. The tiny mammals, which belong to the smallest subspecies of North American white-tailed deer, lift their tails in response to fear, exposing their white underfur.
The coral reef at Looe Key, which is three miles west of Big Pine Key, has long been acknowledged as one of the unique gems of the Florida Keys reef tract. Since 1981, it has been protected as a special place. Large schools of vibrant fish and a stunning coral reef flourish as a result, providing divers with a visual feast.
One of Big Pine’s most vibrant parts is Bahia Honda State Park, a 500-plus-acre gem with a 3.5-mile bike trail and some of the best snorkeling and kayaking in the region.
Photo Credit: Sunshine Key RV Resort & Marina
Sunshine Key RV Resort & Marina
Located across from Bahia Honda State Park, Sunshine Key RV Resort & Marina — also on the Overseas Highway — occupies 75 acres of the island with easy access to the ocean and lots of beaches for exploring. The resort offers everything from Scuba diving, dancing, and volleyball to sightseeing, giving guests the ultimate Florida Keys experience.
Boaters can dock their craft at the marina when not embarking on an epic fishing adventure. The watersports facility onsite at the marina offers kayaks, standup paddleboards, jet ski tours, snorkeling, sandbar trips, sunset cruises, reef fishing, and offshore fishing charters. The bait shop, which also sells fishing pier, keeps anglers busy. Swimmers will also find lots of areas to work on their strokes.
Photo Credit: Sunshine Key RV Resort & Marina
On land, activities include exercise classes, dancing, bingo and card playing, and movie nights. After a long day of fun, campers can relax in one of the sites, with several pull-through sites available for larger rigs and 30/50-amp power. A table at each site gives guests a great place to enjoy the views.
Florida Resident: Daily Offer
Promo code FLRES25
Daily Stays: 25% offer valid on all RV sites, tent sites, and rental accommodations at all Florida properties. Offer valid on new reservations only. A reservation of two nights minimum and six nights maximum is required—book by June 30, 2024. Stay must be completed by August 31, 2024.
Florida Resident: Weekly Offer
Promo code FLRES50
Weekly Stays: 50% offer valid on all RV sites, tent sites, and rental accommodations at all Florida properties. Offer valid on new reservations only. A reservation of 7 nights minimum and 14 nights maximum is required—book by June 30, 2024. Stay must be completed by August 31, 2024.
Offers are valid for Florida residents only, and proof (e.g., driver’s license, a state-issued photo ID, or utility bill) of such residence is required at check-in. Subject to availability—reservations required. Rates do not include taxes and fees. Electric is not included for stays of 30 days or longer. Amenities vary by resort. Employees of MHC Property Management, L.P. and its affiliates are excluded from this promotion. Not available during holidays or special events. Cannot be combined with any other offer or promotions. Please contact the property manager for details.
See thousandtrails.com/special-offers for more information.
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