JOHN PENNEKAMP CORAL REEF STATE PARK |FLORIDA KEYS GUIDE

What to Expect When Visiting John Pennekamp

Here are a few things to expect while visiting this amazing Florida Keys State Park.

What to Know Before You Go:

• Parking: Weekends fill fast & so do the parking spots. Plan to arrive before 9:30 a.m. to get a jump on popular activities.
• Cell Service: Best with Verizon; AT&T may be patchy in mangroves
• Weather & Wind: Always check marine forecasts- wind or storms cancel tours
• Wildlife Etiquette: Never touch coral, stay 10+ ft from turtles, rays, & sharks, and fire coral stings. Treat the reef with respect.
• Tides: Low tides can make snorkel spots or mangrove tunnels hard to access. Check tide charts at the dive shop.
• Campsites: Certain sites border the pond and mangroves – these can flood after heavy rains and a King Tide.
• Shade & Close Quarters: Plan on zero to no shade and being VERY CLOSE to your camping neighbors.

CAMPING AT JOHN PENNEKAMP CORAL REEF STATE PARK: BEST SITES & INSIDER TIPS

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Campground is one of the most convenient bases in the Upper Keys. The sites are on the smallish side and very close together. In addition to a charcoal grill, each site also has a gravel pad, water, full hookups, and a picnic table, plus about a dozen or so iguanas give or take!

To be fully transparent, this felt more like an RV park rather than one of the Florida State Parks. Our site was along the back and had water standing in the back quarter. Bonus- the swimming iguanas were entertaining, and honestly, you come for the activities.

What the campground is really like:

• 47 tent & RV sites
• Picnic table + fire ring + bathhouse with hot showers
• Electric and water hookups at all sites
• Stable cell service
• Easy walk to the marina, visitor center, and beaches
• Not a beachfront campground (this surprises many visitors)
• Expect some noise from boats heading out in the early morning
• Back camp sites can flood after heavy rains & king tides.

Best Campsites

Tent Sites: Sites 23-40 are recommended. They are more shaded and furthest from the pond area and Florida’s State bird, the mosquito.

Avoid 1-22: If you tend to be sensitive to smells (possible Sulphur stink) or insects. The marshy area tends to have stagnant water and No-See-Ums.

RV Hookup Sites 23-40: Most sites can accommodate RVs up to 40 feet in length, and some can fit longer vehicles up to 62 feet. All have full hookups (30-amp, 50-amp, and 110-volt electric, water, and sewer).

Some sites near the parking lot can be noisier; consider requesting a back-row site if available. And, remember, you’re here for all the serious, cool Florida Keys water activities – lodging is just a bonus.

Insider Tips For Camping

• Bring Shade Options: Even shady back-loop sites can get sun in summer afternoons.
• Reserve Early: Sites fill months in advance, especially back-loop premium sites. We love using the app ARVIE to find & book sold-out State Parks. Florida residents can book as early as 11 months out.
• Noise Control: Evening quiet hours are enforced, but sites near parking may experience early traffic noise.
• Supplies: The closest grocery store, Publix Supermarket at Tradewinds Plaza, is located about 1.5 miles south of the park. An even closer option for essentials is John’s General Store, directly across from the park entrance. 
• Pets: Dogs allowed on leash but must stay off the beaches and tour boats. Bummer…I know.
• Fire Pit: Bring your own. Here is the exact one we used camping in the Florida Keys.

Kayaking & Paddleboarding Through Mangroves

If quiet, slow-motion exploration is your vibe, paddling through Pennekamp’s mangrove tunnels and flats is magic. Launch from the marina ramp and float through shady tunnels, shallow flats, or open water bays.

You might glimpse manatees in winter or spot nurse sharks in shallow flats. Always check the tides, as low tides can make navigation tricky, and wind can stir up thewater, making paddling harder.

Two recommended routes:

• Mangrove Tunnel Loop (Beginner): Calm, protected, best at mid-tide. Look for rays in the shallows and juvenile fish along the prop roots. Stay on course. We somehow took a wrong turn & really got a fantastic tour of the mangrove maze.
• Shoreline Drift to Far Beach (Intermediate): Breezier and more open; great on sunrise before winds build. Our paddle was limited due to wind from a tropical depression offshore, but a fun paddle.

Easily download the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Kayaking trail HERE for easy access and enjoy this unique environment as you explore the calm waters around this Florida Keys State Park and beyond.

Paddling Tips

Here are a few tips to get you out on the water and enjoying this gorgeous Florida Keys ecosystem:

• Launch Points: Launch Site #1 (Largo Sound), Launch Site #2 (boat basin), Launch Site #3 the Visitor Center & Marina
• Cell Service: Best with Verizon; AT&T may be patchy in mangroves(we had no issues with Verizon)
• Parking: Weekends fill fast – plan to arrive before 9:30 a.m.
• Weather & Wind: Always check marine forecasts – wind, or storms cancel tours
• Wildlife Etiquette: Never touch coral, stay 10+ ft from turtles, rays, & sharks & fire coral stings. Treat the reef with respect.
• Tides: Shallow flats become nearly impassable at low tide. Launch mid- to high tide for best depth. Check tides, as very low water can limit access to parts of the mangroves. Jump over to the worldbeachguide for easy access and a daily tide chart.
• Equipment Rentals: No paddling gear?! No worries! There are kayak, canoe, & paddleboard rentals available online at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, or at the parks concessionaire. Paddlers with their own craft are advised to use the hand launches: (1) along Largo Sound near Far Beach, or (2) at the picnic area past the campgrounds (across from the boat basin). You can also borrow a laminated paddle map or take a picture.
• Gear: Bring a whistle, GOPRO, a camera for all those amazing pics, good water shoes, water, reef safe sunscreen, and a dry bag; there’s no lifeguard on duty.
• Navigation: Download an offline map since the mangroves can feel maze-like. (See above.)

Hiking and Visitor Center Highlights

The short trails wind through a tropical hardwood hammock and are often overlooked. It’s a good break from the sun and has fun signs along the way.

The visitor center delivers more than expected: a saltwater aquarium with local marine life, reef exhibits, and nature videos, plus helpful staff who can tell you which reef currently has the best visibility.

Want more in-depth hiking info on the trail system at John Pennekamp? Our Friends over at Florida Hikes can hook you up!

Shore Snorkeling & Beach Time

Want serious reef vibes without a boat? Head to the small beach at Cannon Beach. Early mornings often offer good visibility and calm water. Swim out a short distance, and you may find old Spanish‑era cannons along with schools of tropical fish.

Bring water shoes; the entry is rocky and slippery. You can rent gear or bring your own to continue exploring after the shop closes. Sunset snorkel, anyone?

Forgot it all? You can grab it all in the gift shop!

If you just want sun and salt, I mean, who doesn’t, there’s also Far Beach. It’s a small, unpretentious beach perfect for a beach nap or that awesome INSTA sunset photo. No judging…you’re on Keys time!

Snorkeling & Reef Tours

Most people come to Pennekamp for the reef. Tours run daily to spots like Grecian Rocks, Christ of the Abyss, Banana Reef, and sometimes Molasses Reef. Reefs lie between 5–25 feet deep and are beginner-friendly, colorful, and full of fish.

Visibility & Conditions

• Winter: 20–40 ft visibility: good but cooler water
• Spring: 30–50 ft: often ideal balance
• Summer: 40–60 ft: clearest water
• Fall: 30–50 ft: can be great, but storms may affect clarity

Heads-up: Tours usually cancel when winds exceed 15–20 mph, so always check the marine forecast before committing.

Gear reminder: Fins that feel snug on land will fit perfectly when wet. Bring a reef‑safe sunscreen, and consider a rash guard if you’ll be in the water for hours.

PRO TIP
If you had a hard time walking from the parking lot to where the snorkel meet-up is, chances are you will have a hard time floating for 2-plus hours in the open water.

Glass‑Bottom Boat Tours

Not into snorkeling? No stress! Glass‑bottom boat tours give you a window to the reef. On these 2–2.5-hour rides, you’ll likely spot brain coral, sea fans, parrotfish, and maybe even rays or turtles.

We headed out with a super heavy chop, which had the jellyfish in a tizzy, which then brought all the sea turtles out for a snack!

Here are a few tips & tricks:

• Motion‑sensitive? The waves were killing it when we went out. I hit the back of the boat that had a back railing and let the breeze and salt water do their magic.
• Take seasickness meds if you get queasy. The gift shop has them right at the registers.
• Budget extra time because the tours fill quickly on sunny days.
• You will be looking down about 7ft on bench-style seats- keep this in mind ESPECIALLY if you’re prone to sea sickness.

Best Time to Visit John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

• Ideal for Paddling: Late fall through winter when winds ease and visibility in the flats is at its best.
• Peak Season (Nov – Apr): Comfortable temperatures, clear skies, and higher campground demand.
• Off-Peak (May – Oct): Hot, humid, and occasionally stormy, but campsites are easier to book. Just know, EVEN in October, the heat felt like the face of hell.
• Best overall: Late spring through summer for best water clarity, warm temps, calm seas.
  

Sample Itineraries

Half-Day Adventure

If you only have part of a day, no worries! Here’s what we would pick: a reef tour and a quick stroll through the visitor center. Or, paddle the mangroves, and enjoy.

Full-Day Reality Escape

8:00 AM: Arrive, grab breakfast nearby, get marina or rental info

9:00 AM: Reef snorkeling tour (Grecian Rocks or Christ of the Abyss)

12:00 PM: Lunch, either bring your own or grab something from the food truck onsite

1:00 PM: Paddle a mangrove loop or flat water kayak session

3:00 PM: Shore snorkel at Cannon Beach or relax on Far Beach

5:30 PM: Sunset stroll or dinner in town, or back to camp for a starlit night

If you stay overnight, campsite + paddling + sunrise snorkel = pure Keys magic.

Weekend Warrior

Day 1: Definitely add camping! Arrive early and take a reef tour or head out in kayaks to explore the mangroves. Check into camp & enjoy an afternoon nap on the beach, catch sunset at Far Beach, and cook dinner under the stars. Perfection.
Day 2: Take a sunrise paddle, snorkel, or short hike, then take a second reef trip or glass bottom boat tour to compare visibility before checkout. Life doesn’t get any better than this.

Safety, Wildlife, and Park Rules

• No lifeguards, so swim or paddle at your own risk.
• Stingrays and jellyfish appear seasonally; shuffle feet in shallow areas.
• Avoid walking on seagrass beds or disturbing mangroves.
• Observe turtle nesting areas during summer.
• Fires are allowed only in designated fire rings; never leave them unattended.
• Always pack out all trash and recyclables.
• No collecting live coral or shells; seagrass and mangrove habitats are protected.
• Check hurricane alerts during the summer. Secure gear or evacuate.

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is Florida’s “underwater playground,” where snorkelers meet fish with better resting faces than most tourists…and it’s the best coral reef snorkeling spot in the Florida Keys.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS