Larry and Penny Thompson Memorial Park and Campground
12451 SW 184th St, Miami, FL 33177, Florida City, United States
Guest rating: 4.5 / 5
Overview
Larry and Penny Thompson Memorial Park and Campground is a 270-acre public park and campground in southwest Miami-Dade County, recognized as the largest park and campground in the county. Situated in Florida City near the Miami metro area, it sits directly adjacent to Zoo Miami and offers a semi-wooded, spacious setting for RV and tent camping. The park is located two miles west of the Florida Turnpike's Exit 13, between SW 134th Ave. and SW 122nd Ave. on the north side of Eureka Drive.
Campsites & Facilities
Guest reports describe spacious, sunny, asphalt back-in sites suitable for motorhomes with cars in tow, served by smooth, easy-to-navigate paved roads. Sites are commonly available with water, electric (50 amp), and sewer hookups, and the campground has room to level larger rigs with boards if needed. The grounds feature abundant trees and open space for walking, along with amenities such as water slides and BBQ facilities noted by visitors.
Recreation & On-Site Amenities
On-site recreation includes water slides and barbecue areas that guests highlight as highlights for family time, along with plentiful natural, semi-wooded surroundings for outdoor activity and relaxation. The large acreage provides ample room to walk, explore, and enjoy nature within the park itself.
Nearby Attractions
The campground's standout locational feature is its proximity to Zoo Miami, just under a kilometer away, and Amazon & Beyond, roughly half a kilometer away. Other regional attractions within a reasonable drive include the Gold Coast Railroad Museum, Monkey Jungle, Coral Castle, Fruit & Spice Park, Knaus Berry Farm, Deering Estate, and the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, making the park a convenient base for exploring South Miami-Dade's mix of wildlife, history, and nature sites.
Location & Access
The campground's location offers convenient access to both downtown Miami and the Florida Keys, with guests noting that Key Largo is less than an hour's drive away. Its position near the Florida Turnpike makes it a practical stopover or base camp for travelers touring the greater Miami area.
Best for
This campground suits RV travelers, tent campers, and families seeking an affordable, nature-oriented base near Miami's attractions, particularly Zoo Miami. It's well suited to budget-conscious road-trippers who value spacious, well-maintained paved sites and easy highway access, as well as visitors wanting a central point from which to reach both downtown Miami and the Florida Keys within about an hour.
Travel tips
Book sites with full hookups (water, electric, sewer) if traveling by motorhome, and bring leveling boards since some paved back-in sites may require adjustment for larger rigs. The park sits about two miles west of Florida Turnpike Exit 13 on Eureka Drive, making it a straightforward stop for those driving through South Miami-Dade. Since it neighbors Zoo Miami and Amazon & Beyond, plan for early arrival at these attractions to beat crowds, and use the park as a home base for day trips to Coral Castle, Monkey Jungle, or the Fruit & Spice Park.
What guests say
Reviewers consistently praise the campground's value, citing affordable nightly rates and a strong price-to-experience ratio. Family-friendly amenities like water slides and barbecue areas, along with friendly staff, are recurring positive themes, as is the semi-wooded, spacious layout with plenty of trees and room to walk. Site quality is generally described as good, with smooth, easy-to-navigate paved roads, though some guests note that certain motorhome spaces are only just large enough to fit a large rig plus a towed vehicle, occasionally requiring leveling boards. Overall sentiment is strongly positive, supported by a 4.5 rating across a large volume of reviews.
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