Larry and Penny Thompson Park and Campground

Location: 12451 SW 184 Street, Miami

Hours: Sunset to Sunset, daily

Admission: 

Campground: Rates are $22.00 daily; $135.00 weekly and $400.00 monthly and include full hook-up, water and sewer and taxes. Tent sites are $10.00 nightly.

Waterslide and Beach:  Admission to the slide and beach is $4, adults; $3, children ages 3-17; $2.00, seniors over age 62. Individuals must be at least four feet tall to ride the slide.

Beach only admission is $3, adults, $2.00, children ages 3-17; $1.50, seniors over age 62.

Overview

Larry and Penny Thompson Park and Campground is a first-class camping area adjacent to world-famous Metrozoo. 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, a 20-station fitness course, access for the disabled, a jogging and bike trail, and more. Pets are welcome, but must be kept on a leash.

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 Miami Metrozoo 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.

The slide is open during the summer.

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