John Pennekamp State Park

[parrothead48]

Looking for more info on this park. I've looked at FL state parks site, as well as rv advisor, just wanting to hear from people on this forum who have actually stayed here. How far are the campsites from the beach? On the campground map, looks like a ways away. We have reservations for March. Normally stay at Long Key, but no reservations were available. Any other info you can share would be appreciated!! Thanks!

[Mich_F]

I'm sure I've "camped" at John Pennekamp more than almost anyone on here - 78 times I've been there - haven't bothered to figure out how many nights. :B
Actually I was there last weekend Fri-Mon
All that being said I don't have much to add to what has been already been written.
One beach (cannon beach) is about a 1/2 mile from the campground. The other beach is over a wooden bridge (RVs are not allowed over it) just under a mile from the campground. Both are an easy walk or bike ride from the campground. As has been pointed out, if you're expecting a nice sandy beach, you're going to be disappointed. The only sand on beaches in the Keys has been trucked in from somewhere.
Canoes and kayaks can be rented (fairly expensive) for use on the numerous waterways through the mangroves. You can also rent 20,22 or 23' center consoles. There is a large glass bottom boat, the Spirit of Pennekamp for trips over some of the reefs, along with 4 40 passenger or so snorkeling boats and 1 boat for dive trips. Campers with boats can leave them in the water at no charge, in one section of dock that's about 90' long and is first come first served.
The water temp in March will probably be in the low 70's. Air temp.- you never know. It could be in the 80s or the 50's.
I believe over the air TV is still near non existent there. I've had satellite TV for many years and it can be a challenge getting a signal through the tall trees at the back of the higher numbered sites. A portable dish comes in handy there.
I'm sure you'll enjoy your stay.

[parrothead48]

"I don't think you will like it, so if you cancel, let me know.

Of course I have never been there, but would love to give it a try 🙂

Enjoy"

LOL, we're going in March, it's the Keys, sun and surf verses windy cold March in Georgia.....may not be beachfront but we can always find a way to have a good time!!
However, I will let you know if we're forced to cancel 🙂

[Liltippy]

parrothead48 wrote:
Looking for more info on this park. I've looked at FL state parks site, as well as rv advisor, just wanting to hear from people on this forum who have actually stayed here. How far are the campsites from the beach? On the campground map, looks like a ways away. We have reservations for March. Normally stay at Long Key, but no reservations were available. Any other info you can share would be appreciated!! Thanks!

I don't think you will like it, so if you cancel, let me know.

Of course I have never been there, but would love to give it a try 🙂

Enjoy

[NanciL]

jspringator wrote:
I was thinking of camping there in a tent because it is so far away. Would raccoons be a problem for tent campers?

Raccoons are only a problem if you leave your food out on the table.
there are always lots of tent campers there.

Keep in mind to have bug spray or a thermo-cell. The No-see-ums are always plentiful. Especially as the sun goes down

Jack L

[NanciL]

I you are looking for a nice beach like you would find on the coast line farther north, you are going to be disappointed.

With that said, my wife and I love John Pennekamp and have two two week stays their this winter.

We stay there several times every winter.

There are two small beaches both with hard packed ground coral type sand.
"Near beach" is about a quarter mile walk from the camp ground, and "Far beach" is a few hundred yards farther.
Neither one of them is worth writing home about.

On the other hand if you are a canoe or kayak paddler the place is fantastic.
You can rent canoes and kayaks at the boat basin, and there are canoe trails through the mangroves.
If you have your own kayaks there are enough good paddling places to explore for as long as you are there.
If you do happen to be a paddler, let me know, and I'll send you as many trips as you want.

You can take dive boats or the glass bottom boat from Pennekamp to the off shore reefs but only expect to see small fish at the beaches at Pennekamp.

Hope this helps a bit.

If you need any more info, e-mail me. We have been going there for years

Jack L

[NCWriter]

We stayed there in March 2012 for a week (thanks to a forum member who posted a heads up that he was going to canx) and enjoyed a relaxing time. Sites are white rock gravel with picnic table (and we were visited by a raccoon once while eating.). We used the coin laundry facilities and appreciated having them. There was a friendly, peaceful atmosphere in the CG, and the March weather was perfect.

We didn't use the beach (water too cold for me to swim unless it's over 85 degrees) but other people did. There is a little snorkeling apparently from the beach but the real reef is miles offshore, reached only by boat. It's a bit of a walk from the campground to the beach and visitor/watersports center, but as said earlier, you can park there. We also took one of the glass bottom boat rides out to the reef on the Spirit of Pennekamp.

There are many restaurants in Key Largo very nearby if you like to go out to dinner, and you can of course make day trips south.

It's a very different atmosphere than Long Key because the campsites face each other across the road, so less private. And of course, your site is not near the water. But it is still a fine place to stay at a great price for the location in winter time.

[jspringator]

I was thinking of camping there in a tent because it is so far away. Would raccoons be a problem for tent campers?

[Bill___Kate]

We stayed there in February, 2012. The campsites are very nice having been completely redone after a hurricane a few years ago - the only Florida State Park we have been too that has sewer hookups. The beach is a pretty good hike from the campsites, but you can drive there and there is plenty of parking, at least during the week. There is a picnic area that is closer, that really isn't a beach, but has a nice water view and plenty of room to set up chairs or whatever - it is also nice that dogs are permitted at the picnic area but not on the beach.