John Pennekamp, SP (Florida) - Suggestions?

I suggest Looe Key for snorleling/diving. Check out the No Name Pub on Big Pine key for pizza. Tarpon feeding at Robbies. Plus spend time in Key West. PleFee

If you're going to drive to the Keys, consider taking the boat out to the Dry Tortugas National Park - you can camp on the beach overnight and walk through the fort. Snorkeling is great around the fort.

Buy a "Therma-cell" at Walmart, Bass Pro shops or Home Depot, and you'll be able to sit at your picnic table as long as there is no wind all evening. Otherwise you'll be in your RV keeping away from the no-see-ums

Rather than take the dive boat out of Pennekamp, go to Quiessence dive Shop and take one of their boats. They only take six people, and you get individual attention. it's much better.
As much as we love Pennekamp because it is a great jumping off spot for good kayaking on both sides of Key Largo, don't expect a nice beach at Pennekamp, or you'll be disappointed.
If you want a nice restaurant, go to Buzzards Roost. Ask for Danny and tell him take Jack and Nanci, (the kayakers) recommended it.

Jack L

The boat rental prices seem high to me, they are charging more for a 4 hr rental than you would pay for an all day rental on Marathon Key. They do have snorkeling tours at $30 (check the website for a $5 off coupon). They don't say whether that's a one or two stop trip.

BK

As someone already suggested snorkeling, there are 4 snorkeling boats that are based in the park itself, along with one boat for scuba diving trips. You're not going to see much of anything snorkeling at either of the 2 beaches at the park. You have to go to one of the reefs (about 7 miles out from the park) to find good snorkeling areas. They do rent 20',22' and 23' boats at the park and I believe they have some of the cheapest rental rates in the keys. You can also rent canoes or kayaks.
AT&T cell phone coverage can be poor in the campground area and is generally pretty good in the rest of the park. There is free Wi-Fi around the visitor's center and main concession area. They did have it at the boat rental area also, but that hadn't been working for a number of months, although they could have fixed that in the last couple of months since I've been there.
I hope you enjoy your stay.

Noname Key for a great pizza and key deer viewing!

Go on at least one of the Dive Boats for a snorkeling trip on the reefs. There are many dive shops down there and all of them will offer trips. Costs will be in the $30 range. Usually the morning trip will do two stops at different reefs.

Most people want to go down to Key West at least once. There is a small monument set up at the 'southernmost point in the US' for a photo op. And watching the sunset in Key West is also a big attraction with street performers and a big crowd.