Marathon Cottages and RV Park

 
3.9 (40)
151711 0 10 0 95

Location

Installation
Marathon Coast Guard Station, FL
GPS Coordinates
24.7102, -81.106
Location Information
Matathon, FL

Directions

Directions
In the Florida Keys on US-1. Exit mile marker 48 at Marathon. On base.

Map

Google Map (Click on the map to enlarge)
Map of Marathon Cottages and RV Park

Contact Information

Phone Number
(305) 743-3549, (786) 367-5391, (305) 321-1493)
Fax Number
(305)535-4566
Mailing Address
Marathon Cottages and RV Pads, 1800 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050

Campground Information

Authorized Users
Active Duty, National Guard, Reservists, Retired Military, 0-100% DAV, Purple Heart Recipients, Former POW, Veteran Caregivers, DoD and NAF Civilians. Read this Article on Authorized Users
Season
All year
Reservations
Request for reservations are submitted online at : https://vrentals.vacationrentaldesk.com/MarathonVacationRentals/homepage.html. All applicants must affirm they have read the Privacy act statement and the Statement of understanding, when submitting the reservation request online. Reservations for the cottages are processed up to 1 year in advance with full payment processed at the time of booking.
Reservations are confirmed by email. The receipt of payment and check-in procedures will be sent to the email address provided by the applicant during the reservations process. Request for reservations checking in or out on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years day will be denied.
Internet Access
Verizon Broadband works.
Mail Forwarding
Must use local General Delivery.
Pet Information
NO PETS ARE ALLOWED unless a service dog, If a service dog, you must send us a certificate of validation of the dog training for approval, online certificates are not valid. NO dogs will be left in the cottages unattended, the dog will be taken with you at all times since it is a service animal.
Campground Information
Higher rates are for winter (Nov 1 - Apr 30). Lower rates are for summer (May 1 - Oct 31). 2-day minimum rental. 14-day maximum stay limit on cottages.
Big Rig Friendly?
Yes
Facilities
BBQ Grills, Volleyball, Water Sports, Diving.
Amenities
  • Dump, Sewer
  • Water
  • Electric
  • Picinic Area
  • Beach
  • Fishing
  • Boating, Boat Rentals
  • Hiking
  • Swimming

Site Information

Type of site
Spaces
Hook-ups
Daily
Weekly
Monthly
Cottages
4
Full
$105 - $120
$735 - $840
N/A

Other Information

Firearms Policy
No weapons allowed.
Weather Information

A nice vacation spot in the Florida Keys. A busy place, so be sure to follow the instructions and get early reservations.

Oct 20, 2023 - The RV park is currently CLOSED, NO dates on re-opening, Please no phone calls or emails inquiring about the park at this time.

Photos

View from the base
Marathon Cottages and RV Park
Marathon Cottages and RV Park
Marathon Cottages and RV Park
One of the RV pads
Idle rental boats in front of the cottages
Marathon Cottages and RV Park
Marathon Cottages and RV Park

Map

Swap Start/End

User reviews

40 reviews
 
43%
 
35%
 
13%
 
5%
 
5%
Overall rating
 
3.9
Location
 
4.5(40)
Cleanliness/Hospitality
 
4.0(40)
Amenities/Facilities
 
3.0(40)
Value
 
4.0(40)
Overall Experience
 
4.0(40)
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June 2024
Overall rating
 
3.9
Location
 
5.0
Cleanliness/Hospitality
 
4.0
Amenities/Facilities
 
3.0
Value
 
3.0
Overall Experience
 
4.0
As of today, June 10, 2024, I received an email from the Coast Guard MWR Office at 7th District that the RV sites have been closed indefinitely. However, they will continue to rent the 4 newly renovated cabins through the web site as per the notice. Anyone with questions should contact Niki at 305-743-3549 by txt or email. Calls usually go to a voice message. A Coastie Reservist from that area told me that the sites were originally used by the contractor who renovated the cottages but have now been taken over by the Active Duty assigned to the station.
Report this review Comments (0) | Was this review helpful? 1 0
Oct 23, 2022
Overall rating
 
3.0
Location
 
3.0
Cleanliness/Hospitality
 
3.0
Amenities/Facilities
 
3.0
Value
 
3.0
Overall Experience
 
3.0
This area has been closed and will not take reservations. (Editor's Note 10/24/22 - According to the Marathon management, they are open with no damage from hurricane Ian.)
Report this review Comments (0) | Was this review helpful? 0 0
December 2020
Overall rating
 
2.6
Location
 
3.0
Cleanliness/Hospitality
 
3.0
Amenities/Facilities
 
3.0
Value
 
3.0
Overall Experience
 
2.0
Read the Nov 13 comment so called , had reservations for Mar 26-31, 2021. which was accepted on 1Aug 20, 2020. They did not call me or send me an e-mail to let me know the will be closed and my stay has been cancelled. had tp rush and find another place. make sure you confirm all your reservations.
Report this review Comments (0) | Was this review helpful? 12 3
November 13, 2020
Overall rating
 
4.9
Location
 
5.0
Cleanliness/Hospitality
 
5.0
Amenities/Facilities
 
5.0
Value
 
4.0
Overall Experience
 
5.0
Had a great time! Got kicked out due to hurricane evacuation orders. It is a great hidden little campground. No facilities, just a full hook up camping pad with picnic table. They do have free laundry machines by the cabins. They are closing down the camping pads due to construction on base on Jan. 01, 2021 for about a year. They are building new barracks onsite. It is not affecting the campsites, but the construction equipment will be rolling by all day, so they are temporally shutting it down till finished. Also they are building new reservation office so cabins 3 & 4 are now offices for the time being. Looking to head back down next winter when back open.
Report this review Comments (0) | Was this review helpful? 10 3
21 OCT 2019
Overall rating
 
5.0
Location
 
5.0
Cleanliness/Hospitality
 
5.0
Amenities/Facilities
 
5.0
Value
 
5.0
Overall Experience
 
5.0
Stayed 3 nights with my wife, brother and sister-in-law. Great accommodations for the price, although very disappointed the boats that are available for renting were not in the water (new engines being installed). Although units have a roll-away bed, my brother (6'3") and his wife opted to sleep on the sectional couch and found it comfortable. Full size refrig / oven / stove and well equipped cabinets with dishes and utensils. There is a Publix and Winn Dixie about a mile up US1.
Report this review Comments (0) | Was this review helpful? 11 0
Sept. 7-9, 2019
Overall rating
 
5.0
Location
 
5.0
Cleanliness/Hospitality
 
5.0
Amenities/Facilities
 
5.0
Value
 
5.0
Overall Experience
 
5.0
Rick was absolutely fabulous to work with before and during our stay. We called him before our visit and he met us as we arrived and check us in and told us where to park. The cottages are super clean and wonderful view! Thank you Rick for making our stay perfect! 
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July 2-5 & July 27-Aug 3, 2018
Overall rating
 
4.3
Location
 
5.0
Cleanliness/Hospitality
 
4.0
Amenities/Facilities
 
1.0
Value
 
5.0
Overall Experience
 
5.0
We spent 11 nights (4 nights on site 2 then several weeks later 7 nights on site 4) with W/S/E-50 Amp in a 38 Ft. Class A Motorhome. This secured installation is just off of U.S. 1, but the short distance between gate and roadway left our tow vehicle hanging out in traffic while waiting for the gate to be opened. There’s no office for checking-in, rather an individual comes to you with registration paperwork. There are 4 grassy sites varying in length and width with a small concrete patio and composite picnic table. The Wi-Fi was adequate during our first stay but poor the second stay. AT&T Cell phone reception was good. We had no problem using our Dish Tailgater for TV programs but was unable to receive any programs via antenna TV. The installation is small and comfortable and has a laundry available in a storage shed with free use of a single washer and dryer. However, the washer took 53 minutes to run a full-cycle and clothes were still damp after 60 minutes in the dryer prompting us to take them to the laundromat directly across the street. Despite the laundry issue, this is a very nice place to stay and we would definitely stay here again. 
Report this review Comments (0) | Was this review helpful? 11 0
May 22 - May 28, 2017
Overall rating
 
4.9
Location
 
5.0
Cleanliness/Hospitality
 
5.0
Amenities/Facilities
 
4.0
Value
 
5.0
Overall Experience
 
5.0
We were lucky to have rented two cottages for my entire family who really enjoyed our stay. The cottages were clean and comfortable and came equipped with everything we needed. There were concrete picnic tables and charcoal grills available at each site and we could fish off the sea wall at a designated fishing area. There is a laundry facility on site but no commissary for groceries and ice. Not a show stopper though because this location is very close to just about everything. Each cottage is limited to parking only one vehicle, so we had to find off site parking for one of our cars. Coming in/out of the gate was a little inconvenient but happy we had the security of the USCG station. The rental boats were out for repair so we rented one elsewhere for two days which proved to be a little pricey. Rick and the other caretakers were outstanding. They provided suggestions for restaurants and other places to visit, gave directions, and made sure we had our supplies. All were very pleasant and approachable! Overall - we loved it and will return!!!!
Report this review Comments (0) | Was this review helpful? 13 0
Feb 2017
Overall rating
 
3.7
Location
 
4.0
Cleanliness/Hospitality
 
4.0
Amenities/Facilities
 
2.0
Value
 
4.0
Overall Experience
 
4.0
Lucked out and got in for 4 days in High Season. Just 4 RV sites that are in desperate need of upgrading but overall a good value at $30 per night while our friends (non military) stayed south of 7 mile bridge for $120 per night. This is actually a well kept secret for the most part. Manager and CG members were very cordial and accommodating. The biggest inconvenience was getting in and out of the gate and curfew but security considerations were worth it. We will go back for a longer period because the fees and location are great. Left a day early due to bad weather but again, well worth the trip.
Report this review Comments (0) | Was this review helpful? 11 0
December 2016
Overall rating
 
3.0
Location
 
5.0
Cleanliness/Hospitality
 
3.0
Amenities/Facilities
 
2.0
Value
 
2.0
Overall Experience
 
3.0
We made reservations last year for spot 1. This is the best of the four as you are not facing your neighbor and do not have a sewer at your patio. Last year in this spot you would have had a nice bay view, this year the view is of parked boats and FWC trucks. Wake up call this morning was at 0500 due the FWC activity 20' from my window. The sites are essentially mostly level grass with a broken concrete pad. All 4 sites are full hookup. Wifi is free, as with the majority of free wifi systems it ranges from as good as nothing to slightly better than nothing. We used it as long as we were not doing much, if we needed to write a review, search for a restaurant, we would use the Verizon broadband. Laundry is free and in good shape. There are no amenities here other than laundry. Walking, biking, and all other activities are off Station. The Station also has a cerfew so you are limited in the ability to come and go. Walking and biking from the Station is along a very busy and noisy highway 1. Car is necessary. We enjoyed our two weeks but next year will skip Marathon and spend more time at Manatee Cove and NASKW.
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Aug 22-29, 2016
Overall rating
 
5.0
Location
 
5.0
Cleanliness/Hospitality
 
5.0
Amenities/Facilities
 
5.0
Value
 
5.0
Overall Experience
 
5.0
As directed we called before arriving, told Rick we were 15 miles out, gate was closed no one in sight, so went on down turned around, tried calling again got recording. Pulled up to base stopped in the street as its 4 lane, called # on gate , they opened the gate ! No problems in or out since ! Site is grassy, level, and plenty big enough for our Montana Mountaineer 37 footer. Very hot, humid but to but to be expected here in August! Went to breakfast at the "Stuffed Pig" great food !just up the street ! Came back to find several Iguanas wandering around the grounds! Not aggressive, would run away (the Iguanas) when I tried to get closer for a better picture. Nice place, central to the rest of the keys ! You won't regret your stay here!
Report this review Comments (0) | Was this review helpful? 5 1
Feb 2016
Overall rating
 
4.7
Location
 
5.0
Cleanliness/Hospitality
 
5.0
Amenities/Facilities
 
3.0
Value
 
5.0
Overall Experience
 
5.0
We were going to be in FL in Feb and just happened to check to see if any of the 4 sites were available while we were in FL. We got lucky and got site 2 for 4 nights. Marathon is a great central location for visiting the keys. We got a FL state park pass and spent a lot of time visiting the state parks nearby. Our neighbor in site 3 mentioned that FL provides free lifetime state park entry passes to Veterans with a service connected disability, and I happened to have a copy of my VA letter on my phone, so we got one the next day and that gave us free access to visit the state parks. Key West is only an hour away so it's an easy day trip. You definitely need to be self contained since there are no restrooms available, but they do have full hookups. They do have a free washer and dryer next to the cabins, and we had no problems with using them when we wanted to. I was concerned about the gate entry procedure but it turned out to be fast and easy. I called the caretaker number a couple hours before we arrived and Rick met us, showed us our site, and got our paperwork completed. You still have to call a phone umber when you arrive at the gate for entry, but the number is posted at the gate, and we just gave our name and site number and they opened the gate electronically with no delay. The site was plenty large for our 16' Scamp and Dakota pickup, plus our 9X12 screen room. We enjoyed the location and would definitely come back.
Report this review Comments (2) | Was this review helpful? 5 1
Feb-March 2016 (2 weeks)
Overall rating
 
4.3
Location
 
5.0
Cleanliness/Hospitality
 
5.0
Amenities/Facilities
 
3.0
Value
 
5.0
Overall Experience
 
4.0
We stayed here for 2 weeks in Feb-March 2016. We did call the number provided to us prior to our arrival, and Rick met us at the gate as arranged. He took us to our RV site and made sure we were settled, brought the paperwork to us, and answered all our questions.  We were in RV site 4, which is one of the widest sites we have had anywhere. The other sites were narrower, but adequate for slides. If you book online from their website, ALL of the info you need is there, including the gate call number, the length/width of each RV site, dates available, etc. we had our 70# dog with us, and were given ample space to walk her. In fact, we were told we could take her anywhere on the RV side of the base, from the gate all the way to the water. Of course, you are expected to pick up after your dog. Never once in our 2 week stay did anyone approach us with any concerns. Perhaps there has been a change of command since the previous reviewers reported problems, but we couldn't have had a better experience. They do strictly enforce the curfew, but this wasn't a problem for us as we never stay out late anyway. The only drawback is that you currently have to call the gate number for entrance every time you come back in. I felt this was more of an inconvenience for the staff having to deal with taking the calls than for us. Also, you must have a self-contained unit as there are no facilities available. Again, not a problem for us. Since there are only 4 RV sites, this was a nice, quiet and peaceful stay overlooking the ocean. We would definitely stay again!
Report this review Comments (0) | Was this review helpful? 4 2
Nov. 19-22, 2015
Overall rating
 
3.0
Location
 
3.0
Cleanliness/Hospitality
 
3.0
Amenities/Facilities
 
3.0
Value
 
3.0
Overall Experience
 
3.0
My husband and I visited the Marathon Cottages and RV Park, Marathon, FL, a day earlier than our reservation began in November 2015. We were very happy that the MWR liaison, Tom (I think that’s right) was able to accommodate us. The most important change – coming soon – is that this USCG Station is planning to implement an electronic card system. Currently, there is a curfew of 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and midnight on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. You must phone from the front gate to ask that the gate be opened or you will have to find somewhere else for the night. We didn’t know about this when we booked our reservation. The change means that in the future, guests will not be restricted as we were, though it turned out not to be the problem we thought it might be.
Report this review Comments (0) | Was this review helpful? 3 0
Dec 10-20, 2015
Overall rating
 
4.9
Location
 
5.0
Cleanliness/Hospitality
 
5.0
Amenities/Facilities
 
4.0
Value
 
5.0
Overall Experience
 
5.0
Great place to stay. Staff friendly and helpful. Cable would have been a great addition. No showers but free laundry! Make sure to visit Sombrero Beach.
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13-15 July 205
Overall rating
 
4.9
Location
 
5.0
Cleanliness/Hospitality
 
5.0
Amenities/Facilities
 
4.0
Value
 
5.0
Overall Experience
 
5.0
Book online at: http://www.uscg.mil/BaseMiamiBeach/mwr/mwrMarathon.asp Skip Key West and stay on Marathon Key, cheaper snorkeling better water, cheaper parasailing, cheaper everything and more to do. Full hook ups and only 4 RV sites makes it nice. Wifi is included in the stay. There is no bathhouse but that is why you have an RV. Rent a boat for almost half the price of Key West and there is clearer water. The police office (that pulled me over) gave me a tip to go to mile marker 61 and cross the street for snorkeling. One week in Key West and have had more fun in Marathon in two days for half the price.
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June 30 to July 8, 2015
Overall rating
 
3.9
Location
 
5.0
Cleanliness/Hospitality
 
3.0
Amenities/Facilities
 
3.0
Value
 
4.0
Overall Experience
 
4.0
This was our second stay at this RV park. Last summer, construction was going on next door and lots of noise. This year the construction is over and a brand new Hyatt Place resort is in place. Very, very nice resort and an excellent restaurant right on the water. And the Super Boat races were held there on 5 July. We choose and got site 1. This site allows you a great water view and no other RV to look at. Sites 2,3 and 4 are close together but fortunately only one other RV was on site and it was two sites away. If 4 RV's showed up, site one would still be great but the rest would be very tight. Full hook ups. The water and power (50 amps) are at the rear of the site. The sewer connection is several feet in front. And yes the other sites have weird sewer connection locations. The place is extremely secure. You have to call by cell phone to get the main gate open. The duty officer was pleasant and I had no problems getting in. Leaving, the gate opens automatically. Hours of gate operation was 7AM to 10 PM Mon-Thur and 7 AM to 12 PM Fri-Sun. This is a busy coast guard station and the on duty crew sleeps on station. The security for me was a pretty good deal. I am a scuba diver and I could lay my tanks out with gear and not fear anyone taking them. The fence is a barbed wire type and it also made me feel secure. The Hyatt Place next door is a high end resort so I guest that is a good thing too for security. MWR was helpful but for the most part they are invisible. I did inquire about the boat rentals. The current requirement is a Florida Boater card which can be earned over the internet. And a short exam given by the MWR officer. Obviously, with so many RV'ers living out of state, this make renting a boat almost impossible. The boats are $95 per day and hours are 9AM to 4PM and you have to clean them up after each use. Best bet is to go down the street and get a boat rental all day for $100 dollars and use it from dawn to dusk. You are not allowed to launch anything from this station except the on base rental boats. The service members store their boats here but they too must take them off base to launch them. This is a terrific place for walking and biking. There is a walk/bike path all the way to the old 7 mile bridge and you can hike all the way out to Pigeon Key and back. I recommend that you do this late in the afternoon since the summer heat is brutal. AS for Diving, Marathon is equal distance to the best diving in the keys. Key largo is 40 miles east and Key West is 40 Miles west. Diving in Key Largo on the Spiegel Grove is a thrill as well as the several other great wrecks/ Marathon has the Thunderbolt and Busch wrecks. Both are spectacular. And Key West has the Vandenberg. One of the best wreck dives in the USA. And it is unusually quite here at the CGS. I will return again and again.
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April 2015
(Updated: April 03, 2015)
Overall rating
 
2.2
Location
 
4.0
Cleanliness/Hospitality
 
1.0
Amenities/Facilities
 
2.0
Value
 
5.0
Overall Experience
 
1.0
Overall not a bad little Coast Guard MWR campground. The $30 rate per day is not bad for the keys. Although Sigsbee is cheaper. Sites are a little narrow for a motorhome with 4 slides. Water and electrical are on the top of a 4 foot cement pillar at the rear of the site. A large oak tree near the rear our our site (RV3) limited how far I could back in. I used almost 40 feet of water hose to reach the water faucet. Our neighbor's sewer connection is almost in our site and is about 6 feet from our patio. They are very strict here. EVERYTHING IS OFF LIMITS TO ANYONE IN THE RV SITES and they mean everything. This morning I walked the dogs, had a poop bag with me, to the RV gate entrance. It's about 400 feet from the RV sites, not near any building or equipment. Within minutes of getting back to our motorhome there was a knock at the door. It was the person from the MWR office telling me the commander here saw me walking our dogs and he was here to tell me NOT to leave the RV sites area again. Wow! I had no idea the road to the gate to get in and out here was OFF LIMITS. Getting in here is not easy either. When making the reservation and reading the reservation package there was NO mention that the RV gate is locked at all times. You are suppose to call ahead to get the gate open. They don't tell you that and don't provide the phone number either. You will not get that number until you get to the locked gate and find it posted on the EXIT gate. OK that's bad enough but when you pull into the entrance there is not enough room to park without you blocking one lane of the Overseas Highway. So while you are trying to find how to gain access you are in a very unsafe condition. I understand the need for security but this procedure needs to be told to you when making a reservation. After getting in here I was told I should have called before getting here. I told the guy I would have but no one told me that. BTW the number to call to open the gate is 305.743.1991. Overall it's OK here, but I get the feeling we are really not welcome here and they just tolerate us RVers. That's fine but We will NOT return here.
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January 25-31, 2015
Overall rating
 
4.2
Location
 
5.0
Cleanliness/Hospitality
 
5.0
Amenities/Facilities
 
3.0
Value
 
4.0
Overall Experience
 
4.0
We were in site #2 in a travel trailer. Only 4 sites so if you are sandwiched in between two huge class A's like we were then no view and cramped. Great value compared to civilian hotels but not a whole lot cheaper than the state parks (very hard to get into). There is a 10 pm deadline during the week and midnight on Fri & Sat to get back in the gate. You have to call a phone number at the gate each time to get back in so make sure you have your cell phone with you & it is charged! The hosts/caretakers in charge were friendly and helpful. Tiny installation. There was one free washer and dryer in a tiny shed next to the cottages. We found lots of active things to do but found the very busy Rt 1/Overseas Hwy to be annoying. Overall, a good place to stay and use as a base to explore from. I believe they were about to add a tiny store at the caretaker's location near the cottages.
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November 15-21, 2013
Overall rating
 
4.6
Location
 
5.0
Cleanliness/Hospitality
 
5.0
Amenities/Facilities
 
3.0
Value
 
4.0
Overall Experience
 
5.0
Rick from MWR called in the AM to make sure we were arriving then greeted us at the gate. He gave us the internet code, rules, showed us the laundry and told us about Sombrero Beach 2 miles away, white sand and picnic tables. Good launching point for kayaks. We were in site #1, had a nice view of the water. Very quiet here except for the construction next door 8am-4pm Monday-Friday. We talked to some of the guardsmen but for the most part did not see them much. Only saw the dog from a distance, never by the RV sites. Only RV 4 of the 7 days we were here so using the free laundry was no problem. Internet is OK most of the time, no TV with the antenna. The rate is now $30 per day, a bit high for military, but the location is great if you want to explore the "Keys". The Mile Marker 48 sign is just past the gate - but look for the red & green markers at the gate -easy to spot.
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