We've been camping in the Keys for a couple of decades. Despite the warning about never being able to get into the State parks, we've had great success with them. The secret is that there are several sites in each park that are not listed online or over the phone. They are kept open for "walk-ups" So it pays to check often on ReserveAmerica and in person. We got a lovely beach-front site in Long Key SP for two weeks that way. Our favorites are Bahia Honda and Long Key. For commercial parks, the price is always high ($80-90/night) but you can't beat Big Pine Key Fishing Lodge for ambience (Key deer in the campground!) and a great pool! Size is a problem if you're over 35 feet. We bought our HR Neptune specifically because it is usable with the roadside slide left in.
Anywhere in the Keys you can expect flakey, dirty power and water restrictions. I highly recommend a surge protector and auto transformer with boost. A good taste filter is worth the money.
Another consideration is stakes for tying down awnings. There is no "dirt"! It's either hard coral or soft sand. Plan accordingly.
Awnings take a severe beating in the winds and the rain comes in buckets. If you're leaving for even a few hours, stow the canvas!
Aspecific park to avoid is the mess on Sunshine Key. Lots of tough-gang affiliated Cubans making the Mariel boat lift look like Sunday School. I'm not xenophobic and we speak Spanish but the place was recently described as a Cuban hobo camp! reminiscent of the squatter camps along I-95 in the 80's.
Go for the state parks! They're clean, fun cheap and easy!
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