Larry and Penny Thompson Memorial Park
Miami's largest campground and park, offering waterslides, a lake beach, trails, and RV camping amidst natural woodland.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Beat the heat with slides!
Larry and Penny Thompson Memorial Park
Best Time
Beat the heat with slides!
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Miami's largest campground and park, offering waterslides, a lake beach, trails, and RV camping amidst natural woodland.
"A clean, spacious, laid back campground that gives you room to breathe and a great base to explore from."
🎯 Affordable Water Fun
Slide admission is only $6 for adults and $4 for kids, making it a budget-friendly summer activity.
🏕️ Great for RVs
Spacious sites with full hook-ups, concrete pads, and plenty of shade make it ideal for RV travelers.
Quick Facts
Hours
Rating
4.5 · 2,393 reviews
Type
Park
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Iconic Waterslides
Waterpark area
Newly renovated and faster than ever, these historic slides offer a thrilling way to cool off. A must-visit for summer fun!
Freshwater Lake & Beach
Lake area
Enjoy swimming, relaxing on the beach, or picnicking by the serene freshwater lake. Perfect for a family day out.
Extensive Trails
Throughout the park
Explore miles of trails for walking, biking, and even horseback riding amidst natural woodland.
+1Spacious Campground
Campground area
Miami's largest campground offers ample RV and tent sites with amenities, surrounded by nature.
+1Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Waterslide Fun for a Low Price
Camping & Nature Escape
+1Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Affordable Water Fun
Slide admission is only $6 for adults and $4 for kids, making it a budget-friendly summer activity.
🏕️ Great for RVs
Spacious sites with full hook-ups, concrete pads, and plenty of shade make it ideal for RV travelers.
🚶♀️ Explore the Trails
Don't miss the extensive walking, biking, and bridle trails for a dose of nature.
👨👩👧👦 Family Day Out
With a beach, playground, and picnic areas, it's a perfect spot for a family day trip.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Affordable Water Fun
Slide admission is only $6 for adults and $4 for kids, making it a budget-friendly summer activity.
🏕️ Great for RVs
Spacious sites with full hook-ups, concrete pads, and plenty of shade make it ideal for RV travelers.
🚶♀️ Explore the Trails
Don't miss the extensive walking, biking, and bridle trails for a dose of nature.
👨👩👧👦 Family Day Out
With a beach, playground, and picnic areas, it's a perfect spot for a family day trip.
⚠️ Be Aware of Rules
Some reviews mention strict pool rules and potential safety concerns; stay vigilant.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors praise the park's spacious grounds, abundant shade trees, and well-maintained facilities, especially for RV camping. The affordable waterslides and natural setting are highlights. However, some guests have noted strict pool rules and expressed concerns about safety and the presence of homeless individuals in certain areas, impacting the family-friendly perception for some.
"I will call the are were you park your rv the room. Aside from spacious parking areas the ground are spectacular. Lots of shade trees and trails to walk. There is a pooland beach with a water slide. We stayed in the park for about 5 mos. I can honestly say the staff and especially the front desk staff are on point. A wonderful group of young women and men always at the ready. Professional and Hard working I can't say enough. Thank you for making our stay so pleasant."
Myra Huston
"I couldn't wait another min to leave a review. DO NOT come here if you have children. The pool rules when it's actually open no goggles, floating devices, toy, jumping playing and they actually come out and tell you no playing. We walked the trail closer to sundown and someone threw a bolder at us. We told the park ranger and they said it's homeless people and they also come out at night and write messages with poop on the walls. Its unsafe and not kid friendly. Dont waste your time."
Bianca Muscillo
"We stayed at Larry & Penny Thompson Memorial Park in Miami, Florida from December 22, 2024 – January 5, 2025.
We were in Pod 6 site 11, a back-in, with a concrete pad with full hook-ups, and a picnic table patio. The site was spacious enough to comfortably fit our 42' RV, with plenty of room left to park both our truck and car in front of it. The site was shaded by trees on either side, which provided a nice break from the Florida sun and added a touch of privacy. There were plenty of grassy areas around us.
The campground is thoughtfully laid out with several pods, each featuring a building with bathrooms, showers, and laundry facilities, all of which were clean and well-maintained. Since the campgrounds were so big, it was nice to have several options to do laundry. The grounds were peaceful, and the park felt safe and welcoming.
The park is pet-friendly, and while there isn’t a designated off-leash area within the campground itself, there’s plenty of grassy space for walking your dog. A dedicated dog park is also located nearby, which is a great option for letting your pet run and play. One important note for pet owners: during our stay, there were several fireworks shows in the area. While they were beautiful, the noise did make our dogs a bit anxious and restless—something to keep in mind if your pets are sensitive to loud sounds.
One of the highlights of our stay was the abundance of wildlife throughout the park. It offered a peaceful and refreshing opportunity to unwind, connect with nature, and simply enjoy the beauty of the surroundings.
There were plenty of activities around the park and nearby areas. There are bike and hiking trails, beaches, seasonal waterslides, golf courses, marinas, fitness zones, and a nearby zoo. It’s a great place for all walks of life.
This is a great spot if you're visiting the Miami area and want a comfortable, well-kept campground with plenty of space and amenities. I would recommend staying at this park."
MARY ANGUIANO
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The park is located in South Miami, adjacent to Zoo Miami. It's easily accessible by car, with ample parking available. Public transportation options might be limited, so driving is generally recommended.
Yes, the park offers spacious parking areas, especially for RVs.
Absolutely! It's right across from Zoo Miami and a convenient drive to the Florida Keys and Everglades.
While specific directions depend on your starting point, it's generally located in the SW Kendall area of Miami. Using a GPS with 'Larry and Penny Thompson Memorial Park' should guide you directly.
Yes, some trails, like the Cross Country Trail, start directly from the RV park entrance.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Admission to the park is generally $6 for adults and $4 for children. However, access to the waterslides might have separate fees or be included in the general admission depending on the season.
The waterslides are seasonal and typically open during warmer months, often on weekends and holidays starting at 11:00 AM. It's best to check their operating schedule before visiting.
For general park entry and camping, advance booking is recommended, especially during peak seasons. For the waterslides, it's usually a pay-as-you-go system upon arrival.
The park generally opens at 11:00 AM on weekends and holidays for the waterslides. Campground hours may vary.
The beach is part of the park's amenities and is typically included with general admission.
🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience
The park offers a wide range of activities including swimming at the lake beach, riding waterslides, hiking and biking on trails, picnicking, and camping.
The park features a freshwater lake with a beach area. Some reviews mention a pool, but the lake is a primary water attraction.
Yes, the park has playgrounds and is considered a good spot for families, though some reviews caution about strict pool rules.
Indeed, the park has bridle trails, making it suitable for horseback riding enthusiasts.
The campground is large, offering spacious sites for RVs and tents, with amenities like bathrooms, showers, and laundry facilities. It's known for being peaceful and well-maintained.
📸 📸 Photography
Capture the vibrant waterslides, the serene lake and beach, and the lush greenery along the trails. The campground offers picturesque scenes, especially at sunrise or sunset.
Yes, with its natural woodland, lake, and diverse plant life, it's a great location for nature photographers. Keep an eye out for local wildlife.
Drone usage policies can vary by park. It's advisable to check with park management or local regulations before flying a drone to ensure compliance.
Generally, personal photography is allowed. However, commercial photography or filming may require permits. Always be respectful of other visitors' privacy.
Early mornings and late afternoons offer the best natural light for photography, minimizing harsh shadows and creating a softer ambiance.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit