Lisa Christensen | Vanbassador

We just returned from a three-week 3,900 miles adventure from Minnesota to the Florida Everglades and Keys – our longest trip yet. I’m happy to report that the van performed flawlessly, and as a bonus we completed the Wayfarer 50 Challenge!

This was our second annual trip to Florida, so we’re happy to share some of our best spots along the way.

Monument Lake Campground

Our first stay in the Everglades was at Monument Lake which is part of Big Cypress National Preserve. It’s a very simple campground that has a nice bathhouse with showers and some legendary local gators. Keep your dogs a safe distance from the lake! Monument Lake Campground is a great spot to start your adventure down the Tamiami Trail (Hwy 41) to the Keys.

Must-Stop Spots On the Tamiami Trail:

• Oasis Visitor Center: Perfect for a stop in Big Cypress National Preserve. The boardwalk is short but offers fantastic wildlife viewing, and best of all, it’s free.
• Shark Valley At Everglades National Park: This is an absolute must. The 15-mile loop trail is paved and takes you on an alligator-spotting adventure. You can either take a tram, or better yet, bike for a closer look at the wildlife. They have rental bikes available too.
• Robert Is Here Fruit Stand: Technically the shop is in Homestead, but it is so worth the stop. Their produce is beautiful and they specialize in exotic tropical fruit that I have never seen anywhere else.

Bahia Honda State Park

Our next stop was at one of Florida’s finest and most coveted campgrounds. Thanks to my trusty cancellation bot app (check out Campflare – it is a life saver), I was able to snag a prime waterfront site to setup my remote office for the week. Sandspur Campground, the smaller of the park’s two, is ideal for vans, with a 23-foot limit. And the sunsets? Absolutely epic.

Boyd’s Campground: Key West or Bust!

We next stayed at Boyd’s private campground. It is super van-friendly, allowing vans to stay in their tent sites. While there are inland tent sites with water and electricity, we always go for the primitive waterfront sites since we have solar. The campground is just 5 miles from Old Town Key West, so we park the van for the week and bike into town. It’s the best way to soak up the island vibes and avoid the parking hassles.

Must-do Key West Adventures

• Hemingway House: You need to stop by, if anything just to see the polydactyl cats.
• Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory: Walk among hundreds of butterflies and say hi to Rhett and Scarlett, the resident flamingos.
• Frita’s Cuban Burgers: A hidden gem with an adorable four-legged hostess and amazing food.
• Blue Heaven: Super cool outdoor dining space and their key lime pie wins island favorite year after year.
• Green Parrot Bar: An island institution since 1890, perfect for live music.

Exploring More Of Florida

After a week in Key West, we started heading north. We made quick stops at Curry Hammock State Park and John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Curry Hammock was beautiful and had great campsites, but Pennekamp was a bit underwhelming for me (though snorkeling there is a major draw, which wasn’t on our agenda this time).

We wrapped up our trip with one last night at Monument Lake, completing the loop before dropping my husband off at the Fort Myers airport. From there, I hit the road solo, worked remotely, and enjoyed some audiobooks on the way home.

Looking Ahead

Will there be a third annual Florida Everglades/Keys trip? Only time will tell. Have I already booked a site at Boyd’s for next year and started searching for prime waterfront spots at Bahia Honda and Curry Hammock? Maybe. Minnesota winters are long, and a mid-season dose of vitamin D does wonders for the soul!