RVing to Key West

[lucille]

I'm retired military and have seen a lot of nice beaches. It's expensive to drive the rig to Key West. There is a hotel for military or retired military. I can drive my Ford Focus and stay a few days, or RV and stay longer since rates are low. Any ideas or suggestions on how I make this decision. I just don't know how to decide. Thanks in advance.
Lucille

 

[MikeFromMesa]

My wife and I don't travel to Key West in the Summer in an RV due to the heat. Yeah, we are air conditioned but it never really gets all that comfortable in the summer heat so if we go to someplace like Key West in the Summer we stay at a hotel.

In the Winter it is a different story ...

 

[dan680fl]

Last time I was down there (about 14 months ago) I stayed at the campground by the Coast Guard Station. I didn't have time to check it out closely, but the facility seemed about 75% full. I spent only 1 night (business trip for the Coast Guard) but vowed to return off season someday to check it out. As always, be prepared for a long drive time wise from Key Largo on down.

 

[gwcowgill]

The Navy has a nice campground in Key West in the Zigsby Housing Complex.

 

[joelmyer]

As they say, different strokes for different folks.

We went down for a couple of weeks, then a month, two months, now three months every winter.

There's the weather, there's the food, there's watching the tourists, but mostly it's the friends.  We met a few folks the first time.  The next year we renewed those friendships and made some new ones.  And so on.

Some folks aren't able to drive their rv down anymore and stay in the Trombo Vacation Rentals. http://www.spacea.net/images/keywest_trumborentals.pdf

That's better than not being in Key West, but you're not in the campground.

So...
-You need to try it at least once.  It might or might not "take"

-Neither Sigsbee or Trumbo are beach campgrounds, they are on the water.  Some folks with small rigs drive over to the Truman Annex and spend the day there.  One year we had neighbors we saw only a couple ot times.  They left before we were up and back after we in for the night.

-If you come down in your rv, the Miccosukee Indians built a casino for us as an overnight stop to & from the keys at the intersection of US 41 & 997. 
http://www.miccosukee.com/resort/

-If you decide to stay in the vacation rentals, make your reservations as early as you can (see the link above).

-Hope to see you there.

Joel

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

If "beach" means to you a broad sandy strip, you won't find many in the Keys. Most will be rocky.

 

[Molaker]

The Navy has a nice campground in Key West in the Zigsby Housing Complex.

It's now called NASKW campground.  The Navy does not accept reservations except for active duty, but they have a rather large temporary camping area (no services) where they'll put you while waiting your turn.  There is a 14 day limit for camping once in the full service area.  Check here for more info.

 

[dave61]

My wife and I really like going to Key West and have been there many times. The OP comment about beaches makes me pause though, the keys are not the place to go if you are primarily looking for nice beaches.

 

[Molaker]

My wife and I really like going to Key West and have been there many times. The OP comment about beaches makes me pause though, the keys are not the place to go if you are primarily looking for nice beaches.

True.  Enjoy the beaches on the way down, east coast or gulf coast.

 

[ArdraF]

Also, if you can't go to the less-expensive military campgrounds, the privately owned ones are pretty expensive and they really pack 'em in because there's so little space available.  We've stayed at Jabor's twice and it's convenient because it's right near all the action but it's strictly a parking place with hookups.  There are others farther away from downtown.

ArdraF

 

[Ernie n Tara]

We actually stay at Grassy Key RV PARK in Marathon and drive to Key West. Works well and a nice place to stay.

Ernie

 

[BruceinFL]

Hands down, the best beach in Monroe County is at Bahia Honda State Park. If you can't get a site in the park, there are several private campgrounds within easy driving distance and also easy drive to Key West if you want to go there. Our favorite is Big Pine Key Fishing Camp but there are others. The key during snowbird season is to make reservations as early as possible.

 

[BGooden]

Just stayed at the Key West KOA. It has a small marina and a very nice bath house and laundry. It's popular in winter (although it was cold when we were there) and the place was packed. Beware that the City of Key West is not RV friendly. They control most of the parking lots and even a small motor home will be assessed a $75.00 fine for being "oversized" even though the space is ample and you have paid for the parking with a credit card. I know, It just happened to me. However, I later found that at the Truman Winter Whitehouse Annex there is a large lot near a Naval base which is owned/controlled by the US Government. Buses and RV's as well as cars park there and it is free. It's within walking distance of all of the major attractions. 


Bill
2013 Reyo Q
NC

 

[Just For Fun]

It depends on whether or not you really enjoy the journey or just the destination.

Granted, the fuel is definitely a consideration. But if you're like us, we love the drive. We stopping along the way - mainly unplanned stops we come across - with no particular route or time-frame to bother our wondering.

As was posted earlier "different strokes..."

 

[robertusa123]

My parents just spent 2 week touring Florida.  But passed on the keys....  Its packed  full this time of the year.  Call ahead and make reservations you may end up driving all the way down their and find no place to stay

 

[oldme]

Since you are Retired Military, contact the Navy Base at
Key West.

When our son was alive he was stationed there for 8 years.

There is limited space for RVs for retirees on base and there is a
Base run Trailer Park on Whitehead St. (no place you  can park an RV thought) where they rent to retirees and active families.

We stayed there several times.
All of this is arranged through the base services office.