Parks & Recreation

Larry and Penny Thompson Campground

Larry and Penny Thompson Campground is a first-class camping area adjacent to world-famous Zoo Miami. It has 270 acres of natural South Florida woodland, bridle trails and hiking paths. The Campground has 240 separate campsites for recreational vehicles, with full electrical and water hook-ups, four large restroom/laundry facilities with hot showers, a camp store, picnic shelters, a large freshwater lake with its own beach and water slide (open seasonally) (lifeguards on duty), a playground, concession stand, access for the disabled, a jogging and bike trail, and more. Pets are welcome only in the RV sites. No pets are allowed in the tent camping areas.

The camp ground is open every day, with daily, weekly and monthly rentals; advance seasonal reservations are available. Rates are:

• Daily $33.90 
• Weekly $192.10
• Monthly $565.00 and includes full hook-up, water and sewer and taxes
• Tent sites are $16.95 nightly.

For reservations, call 305-232-1049.

Amenities

• 240 shady, RV sites with full hookups
• Tent sites
• 24-hour laundry
• Clean, hot showers
• Dump station
• On grounds security
• Swimming
• Waterslide

History and Natural Assets

Larry & Penny Thompson Park is dedicated to the memory of Larry Thompson, a popular humorist and columnist with the Miami Herald for more than 25 years. Mr. Thompson was a nature enthusiast and advocate of park beautification. The parkland, which was once part of the Richmond Naval Station, was acquired in December 1974 as part of a 1,010 acre land transfer from the federal government and included the Zoo Miami property.

In the campground, you'll see remnants of fruit groves, which once belonged to the University of Miami. These groves acts a natural buffer in the campground and feature avocado, mango and lychee trees.

Larry & Penny Thompson is one of the last portions of wilderness in Miami-Dade County, with wildflowers, palmettos, and rock pinelands. The facility truly harmonizes the recreation experience with Miami-Dade County finest natural assets.

Waterslide

Larry and Penny Thompson Park features three mammoth water slides carved into a rock mountain. Each slide offers a different sensation as sliders spill into a cool refreshing pool. There's also a sandy white beach and clear blue lake that visitors boast is "the ideal inland swimming spot." Nearby is a concession stand that sells cold drinks and ice cream.

Beach/Slide is opened seasonally. Please call office for opening and closing dates.

Admission to the slide and beach:

• Adults $6.00 
• Children ages 3-17 $4.00 
• Seniors over age 62 $3.00
• Individuals must be at least four feet tall to ride the slide.

Beach only admission is

• Adults $3.00
• Children ages 3-17 $2.00 
• Seniors over age 62 $2.00