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jgkeeto's avatar
jgkeeto
Explorer
Nov 16, 2014

heading to key west florida boondock questions

we are heading to key west florida in a few days and only plan on a short day or two visit, does anyone know of a place to boondock and just spend a night in our rv (roadtrek agile 19' van)
actually anwhere between key largo and key west, we just want to spend a few days exploring.

any help is appreciated
  • Impossible. If you do it and don't get caught you will be lucky.
    Many Walmarts in Fl don't allow overnighting.
  • Dog Folks wrote:
    NanciL wrote:
    No way.
    There is no overnight parking any where on the Keys
    I winter there every year and they are very firm on it.

    Jack L


    X2. If you try it, bring money for fines.
    Neither of the above are kidding and the fine is NOT cheap. They like to knock on the door around 3am hand you an expensive citation and give you 15 minutes to vacate the area. Monroe County has a very strict overnight parking ordinance and they aggressively enforce it during the winter tourist season.
  • NanciL wrote:
    No way.
    There is no overnight parking any where on the Keys
    I winter there every year and they are very firm on it.

    Jack L


    X2. If you try it, bring money for fines.
  • No way.
    There is no overnight parking any where on the Keys
    I winter there every year and they are very firm on it.

    Jack L
  • You'd almost be better off seeking out a large marina parking lot and just pulling in like you're parking there while "working" on your boat. Or maybe stopping in a larger town like Marathon and parking on a side street, possibly asking a homeowner if it's ok to park on the street near their house over night. During the day just go down to Key West and find some street parking 4-5 blocks from Duval Street or maybe a beach parking lot during the day. Left or right off Truman Avenue, a main street heading down to Duval Street, has free street parking. We camped up in Marathon and drove down to KW and parked in the area I mentioned. Walked back to our vehicle in the evening. No problem.

    Overnights may still be a problem, but I don't think the local law enforcement will allow you to just pull over along the Hwy 1 for the night. Look like you "belong" there.
  • After reading years of reports on KW, I think it's the last place you want to try to dry camp.
  • I used to see people tent camping there. Guess things have changed. I don't know where my buddy spent his nights.
  • Those beach access sites are littered with "NO OVERNIGHT PARKING!" signs

    BK
  • I believe you can find beach spots along the highway, big enough for your van. At least that used to be the case. I have a friend who did it as recently as a couple of years ago. Someone will probably chime in with specific spots. But in general, yes, I think you will be good.
  • I think you can forget about boondocking or overnight parking in the Keys. There is a Walmart in Largo and another in Key West but I would be surprised if they allowed over-nighting.

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