If you’re heading to Ultra Music Festival and craving something more laid-back than a downtown hotel, beachside camping in Florida is the move. Instead of overpriced rooms and packed lobbies, imagine falling asleep to the sound of waves and waking up with the sunrise. You get your peace, your party, and the open sky.
UMF weekend is intense. Beachside camping lets you balance it out. You can join the madness by day and return to calm by night. Or maybe you rally the crew and make the entire trip a coastal adventure. Either way, Florida has plenty of beach campgrounds near Miami and the Keys that put you right where you want to be: near the ocean, under the stars, and close to the action.
Let’s break it down – where to go, what to bring, and how to lock in a campsite before everything books out.
Why Beachside Camping > Hotels for UMF Weekend
Let’s be real. Hotels during UMF weekend are packed, loud, and overpriced. You’re surrounded by people you don’t know, waiting in line for elevators, and waking up to housekeeping knocking at 9 a.m.
Beachside camping flips the script. You control your space. You’ve got the ocean as your backyard, no neighbors stomping down hotel hallways, and way more money in your pocket for food, gear, or a few extra drinks.
It’s also just a better memory. Hotels are forgettable. Camping on the beach during UMF? That’s something you’ll talk about for years.
You get to dance hard, sleep under the stars, and start the next day with coffee by the sea. Doesn’t get much better than that.
Top Florida Beaches for Beachside Camping Near UMF
Finding the right Florida beach campground for UMF weekend is about balance – close enough to the festival, but far enough to chill. These are the best beachside camping spots near Miami that offer sand, sun, and a real escape after the music fades.
1. Bahia Honda State Park (Big Pine Key)
Bahia Honda is the crown jewel of beachside camping in Florida. Located about 130 miles from downtown Miami, this park offers waterfront campsites so close to the shoreline, you’ll hear the tide rolling in from your tent. The views of the Old Bahia Honda Bridge and turquoise water make it feel more Caribbean than continental U.S. It’s popular for snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding, and the beaches – Calusa and Sandspur – are some of the best in the Keys. The sites are well-maintained with bathhouses and electricity, but book fast as this place fills up months ahead of UMF. If you’re looking for postcard-level beauty and a peaceful crash pad after three days of beats, Bahia Honda delivers.
2. Curry Hammock State Park (Marathon Key)
Curry Hammock is a small, low-key campground that feels like a hidden oasis. Located about two hours from Miami in Marathon Key, this park has just 28 campsites, each one offering ocean views, sea breezes, and palm-fringed privacy. The sites are set on crushed shell and are walkable to the water, where you can launch a kayak or just float out your stress. Facilities are solid with hot showers, clean bathrooms, and picnic tables. It’s not a party campground, and that’s the appeal. After UMF, Curry Hammock gives you space to decompress, recharge, and maybe even stay offline for a day or two. For smaller groups and solo travelers, it’s perfect.
3. Long Key State Park (Long Key)
Long Key State Park is all about the oceanfront experience. Every campsite lines up along the Atlantic, giving you unfiltered sunrise views and a salty breeze 24/7. It’s around 100 miles from Miami, which makes it doable for a quick escape after the festival. While it’s a bit more rugged, tent campers will appreciate the simplicity as the amenities cover the basics: restrooms, showers, grills, and shaded picnic areas. There’s no loud nightlife or big crowds here, which is a blessing after the chaos of downtown Miami. Long Key’s flat terrain and shallow waters make it a peaceful spot to kick back with your crew or solo journal by the shore. If you’re all about quiet mornings and ocean therapy, this one’s for you.
4. Fort De Soto Park (St. Petersburg)
Fort De Soto is about a 4.5-hour drive from Miami, but it’s a beast in the best way. Located near St. Petersburg, this award-winning park has over 200 campsites and some of the cleanest, widest beaches on Florida’s Gulf Coast. The campground is shaded by mangroves, and many sites sit right on the water with kayak access and killer sunset views. Fort De Soto has full facilities – flush toilets, hot showers, electric hookups and even a camp store in case you forgot the essentials. There’s a historic fort to explore, a massive fishing pier, and miles of bike trails. If you’re turning UMF weekend into a longer trip or road-tripping north after the festival, Fort De Soto is an ideal place to stretch out and settle down.
5. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park (Key Largo)
John Pennekamp isn’t technically a beachfront campground, but it’s too good to skip. It’s the first undersea park in the U.S., and the real magic is underwater. Located just over an hour from Miami, it offers shaded campsites, clean facilities, and plenty of ways to get on the water. Rent a kayak, hop on a snorkel boat, or paddle out to nearby mangrove islands for a beach picnic. The campground has restrooms, hot showers, and electric/water hookups, making it one of the more comfortable setups in the Keys. If you’re bringing paddleboards or planning to dive, this is your spot. It’s low-key, close to the city, and makes a great transition from UMF’s chaos to coastal calm.
What to Pack for Beachside Camping (UMF Edition)
You’ll need more than just a tent and sunscreen. Beachside camping comes with unique challenges like wind, heat, sand, and salt. Add UMF into the mix, and your packing list needs to be dialed.
Bring a tent built for wind, with good ventilation. Choose one like the Kelty All Inn 3 Season 3 Person Lightweight Backpacking Tent that sets up low to the ground, and use sand stakes or weighted anchors so it doesn’t fly off when you’re dancing at the festival. A sleeping pad or cot will keep you off the hot sand at night.
A durable cooler is non-negotiable. The sun beats down hard, and you’ll want ice to last through the weekend. Check out the Dometic Patrol 20 Insulated Cooler. It has tough one-piece rotomolded build and an air-tight deep-freeze lid seal.
Don’t skip shade. A pop-up canopy or even a large beach umbrella will make your whole camp more livable. Your tent will turn into a sauna by noon, and trust me, you’ll want a spot to escape the heat.
For a detailed list on camping gears, take a look at our guide.
How to Book the Best Florida Beach Campgrounds for UMF Weekend
Here’s the deal: most of the beachside campgrounds in Florida operate on a reservation system. That means you can’t just show up. And during popular weekends like UMF, spots are booked months ahead.
Go to Florida State Parks or ReserveAmerica to search for availability. Sites like Bahia Honda and Curry Hammock are the hardest to grab because they’re scenic, limited, and everyone wants in. Reservations typically open 11 months in advance, and they go fast.
You can monitor cancellations if you’re late to the game. Set alerts, check early in the morning, and refresh like your ticket to UMF depends on it because your campsite might.
Camping permits are required, and some locations limit group size or vehicle access. Always read the rules. No one wants to get booted over a technicality.
Bonfire Vibes and Post-UMF Chill
Beach, beats, bonfire is the ultimate the dream. But don’t just assume you can build a fire anywhere. Florida state parks have strict rules about fires. Some allow campfires in designated rings. Others ban open flames entirely. Always check park rules before striking a match.
If fires are allowed, use a raised fire ring or fire-safe pit. Bring your own wood (don’t collect from the park because it’s illegal in most areas), and always douse it completely before bed.
Want music at your site? Keep it chill. A small Bluetooth speaker works. No giant subwoofers or DJ sets at midnight. Other campers might be recovering from the same festival, and no one wants to hear bass drops while brushing their teeth.
A low-key bonfire, good tunes, and a few cold drinks make for the perfect wind-down after UMF. No wristbands, no lines, no overpriced water bottles, just the ocean and your crew.
FAQsCan you legally camp on the beach in Florida?
Only in designated beachside campgrounds. Public beaches do not allow overnight camping without a permit.
Do beach campgrounds allow bonfires?
Some do, in designated areas only. Always check with the campground before lighting one.
What gear do I need for beachside camping?
Tent with ventilation, sand stakes, cooler, cooking stove, dry bags, lights, and shade structure. See the [gear guide] for product links.
Can I leave my gear at the site while I go to UMF?
Yes, but secure valuables. Lock up food because the raccoons in Florida are bold.
Is beachside camping better than booking a hotel for UMF?
If you want space, savings, and a sunrise over the ocean then 100%. It’s the smarter, cooler move.
