Sleep Under The Stars By Camping In The Everglades
Camping is one of the best ways to experience the great outdoors. But, did you know you can actually go camping in the Everglades National Park? You can! The park offers camping opportunities in both the front country and back country. Visitors are able to go camping year-round, but the wet season is a more difficult and uncomfortable environment for camping. If youre thinking about experiencing this beautiful wetland through a camping experience, remember to come prepared the park does not provide any camping equipment for people to buy or rent.
For the front country camping, there are two drive-in accessible campgrounds from the Homestead entrance of the park, which are Long Pine Key Campground and Flamingo Campground. People can bring both tents and RVs to the sites. These are the only two sites in the front country part of the Everglades.
For the most part, the number of camp sites in these campgrounds meet the demand. In the winter season, it is recommended to reserve a site for Flamingo. A limited number of group sites are available. A maximum backcountry stay is 14 days.
With backcountry camping, people can camp at a number of ground sites, beach sites, and elevated camping platforms across the park. These sites can be reached by canoe, kayak, motorboat, and some can be reached by hiking. Most of these sites are in the Ten Thousand Islands and along the rivers that flow into these islands.
Explore the Everglades
HOUSES MOUND
Capt Mitch.
A Guided Everglades Experience
Paddle by day, camp by night! Join us on our Private Kayak Camping Combo. Your group will be led by an expert guide who will take you paddling into the heart of the 10,000 islands and the Everglades. Slowly make your way through one of the many passes that leads to the Gulf of Mexico, surrounded by the amazing mangrove trees. Try to spot birds, dolphins, sea turtles, jumping fish, manatees, and more!
The Private Kayak Camping Combo is limited to your group of up to 10 people, ages 11+. All trips must be booked with a minimum of 3 boats and a minimum of 30 days in advance. Your trip departure and arrival times will be based on tides.
Driving In And Around Everglades National Park
The main road from Homestead to the southern tip of the park is the Ingraham Highway .
From Homestead, take the Ingraham Highway southwest to reach the parks Homestead entrance near the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center. From there, the highway is the main thoroughfare through the park and offers plenty of pull-outs and parking areas.
The Royal Palm Information Station is a good stop to see gators and get additional park information if you didnt stop at Ernest F. Coe. Continue roughly 38 miles on Ingraham Highway to reach the Flamingo Visitor Center at the southern tip of the park.
To visit the northern section of the park, take Highway 41 . Along this highway, stop at the Shark Valley Entrance Station and Visitor Center.
Exiting Highway 41 on County Road 29 and heading south to Everglades City is the fastest way to get to the Gulf Coast Visitor Center. This is a convenient stop for visitors coming down from Naples, Fort Myers, or other locations on Floridas west coast.
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Campgrounds Along Tamiami Trail
Tamiami Trail is the original road dredged out of swamp land to connect the east and west coasts of Florida through the Everglades, eventually connecting Miami to Tampa.
The section that skirts through the Everglades is full of life and things to do.
There are five park service campgrounds along the Tamiami Trail managed by the Big Cypress Preserve. Only Midway has hookups and a dump station for RVs. A second dump station is located at Dona Drive .
All of the campgrounds in Big Cypress offer access to recreational activities, including hiking, biking, fishing, hunting, photography and off-road vehicle trails.
Two of the campgrounds Pinecrest and Mitchells Landing are along Loop Road, a scenic route deep in the Everglades. Both are primitive campgrounds and are first come, first served .
Burns LakeCampground
Burns Lake has 10 RV and five tent sites in separate campgrounds on opposite sides of the lake. Sites are available from Aug. 15 until April 15, although day-use area is open all year with backcountry access.
There are no hookups and no water, so bring your own everything. The nearest dump station is at Dona Drive, 7 miles away in Ochopee. We camped here in February 2020 in our RV and loved it!
Although lacking shade, there is lots of separation between sites, offering a modicum of privacy. We also found the use of generators was minimal in the RV section, as if every camper respected the silence.
Midway Campground
Monument Lake Campground
Ensuring Species & Visitor Safety
Wildlife can be one of the reasons we make a visit to a national park the opportunity to see a majestic bison or a catch the glimpse of a soaring eagle in their natural habitat is one of the draws of our parks. And its important to remind visitors…
Located in all 50 states and covering more than 85 million acres in total, our national parks are increasingly subject to the environmental and human impacts which threaten the…
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Everglades National Park Campgrounds
There are two developed campgrounds located within Everglades National Park. Both campgrounds are located along State Highway 9336, the main road through the national park, and are easily accessed from the Miami area. To reach either campground youll pass through the Homestead Entrance and have the option to visit the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center.
The map below gives you a general sense of where each of these campgrounds are located in Everglades National Park as well as their relation to the surrounding area.
The Flamingo Campground in Everglades National Park is open year round, although youll find it is much less crowded during the summer off-season. This is for good reason and camping in the summer in the Everglades can be unbearable!
The Lone Pine Key Campground is only open during the peak season, generally from November through the first part of May.
Peak season for camping in the Everglades is from December April, during South Floridas dry season. During this time youll have the best chance for sun, milder temperatures, and avoid the mosquito swarms that are typical during the summer months.
Keep reading to learn more about reserving your campground in Everglades National Park.
Give Wildlife Their Space
Rangers realize that while it can be exciting to see wildlife, they urge visitors to keep a safe distance of at least 15 feet from any wild animals. Alligators and crocodiles, for example, may look like a statue at times, but they are alive and alert and can react lightning fast.
Pro Tip: Feeding or harassing an animal, including throwing objects at it, is a criminal offense that carries a fine.
You can learn more about being safe around crocodiles, alligators, and other wildlife here.
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Great Everglades National Park Free Campsites
We have chosen 15 Everglades National Park Free Campsites for you, boondocking and free camping is difficult in the sunshine state but not impossible.
Everglades National Park is found in the southern part of Florida. It serves as a home of various prevalent species such as the American crocodile, Florida panther, and, not to forget, the manatee. This park offers a good mixture of luxury and wilderness.
The prime reason why you should visit Everglades National Park is due to the exceptional encounter you will get, as well as unparalleled comfort. So if you are preparing to go for a Boondocking trip, Everglades is the place to be.
Slogging and hiking are the most predominant activities that take place in Everglades National Park. However, the real fun begins after you hit the water. Fascinating right? Considering that most of the park is only reachable through a boat fishing, canoeing, boating, and kayaking are the common recreations in this park. And this makes it ideal for boondocks like yourself.
Paddleboarding The Halfway Creek Canoe And Kayak Trail
While we got lots of strange looks from people and hungry alligators, yes, it is possible to paddleboard in the Everglades .
We had originally intended to paddleboard the very popular Turner River, but in April, we were at the tail end of the dry season so the water level was too low. Instead, the very helpful ranger at the Big Cypress Visitor Center directed us to Halfway Creek, which has a launching point directly being the visitor center, which is approximately 3 miles from Midway Campground.
The ranger gave us a map to follow. We saw several fishermen, some alligators , and lots of air plants as we paddled through the mangroves, including some beautiful mangrove tunnels.
The very popular Paddlers Guide to Everglades National Park has some excellent suggestions and tips for other paddling trips in the Everglades and Big Cypress areas.
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What To Bring And How To Prepare
Everglades National Park isnt quite as remote as, say, Big Bend National Park. But youll still need to prepare adequately for RVing here. Here are a few tips to help you do that:
- Stock up on groceries before entering the park. Supplies will be cheaper and more readily available in the nearby cities of Homestead and Naples
- Firewood, ice, and limited foods and beverages are available at Flamingo Marina
- Consider packing an insulated drink cooler to keep beverages on ice and retain fridge space for perishable food
- Bring sunscreen, bug repellant, a full-brimmed hat, and plenty of drinking water on all outdoor adventures
- Moisture-wicking clothing is best for the heat and humidity in the park
- Consider a canopy or shelter with a full screen for added bug protection
- Heavy-duty tent stakes or weights will help you keep items in place during high winds
- Make sure your RV awning is in good shape if visiting during the rainy season
- If you plan on fishing in the park, youll need your license before entering. Licenses are not available for purchase at park visitors centers or information stations
- Check and update your RVs first aid supplies before your trip
- Always keep a safe distance of at least 15 to 20 feet when viewing wildlife in the park
Safety Tips For Traveling To Everglades City
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Discover The Beauty Of Everglades National Park
AN UNFORGETTABLE WILDERNESS ADVENTURE
There is only one Everglades in the entire world! Have you always been curious, but unsure how to approach such a huge wilderness? Are you eager not just to see, but to intimately explore and experience this unique ecosystem? Are you looking for an adventure vacation which offers an escape from winter?
Well, the Everglades are the perfect choice! The winter months are actually our tropical dry season with sunny skies, warm days and cool nights providing perfect weather for outdoor adventure. Come immerse yourself in the Everglades backcountry with us and experience the tranquility of the wilderness after the crowds leave for the day.
3-Day EvergladesKayak Tour
Long Pine Key Campground
Enjoy a wonderful stay at this camp. The staff is friendly, and you get access to see the stunning sunset and all other nearby attractions. The nights here are quiet and comfy, plus you can come along with your firewood, set up the fire, and feel the warmth within the place.
Thats not all but a few of the campgrounds you can access while at the Everglades National Park.
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Ten Thousand Islands Kayak Rentals
Everglades Adventures Kayak and Eco Tours. Rentals are available November-April only. Ivey House, 605 Buckner Ave North, Everglades City, FL 34139. Phone: 695-4666
Glades Haven Marina, across from Everglades National Park Gulf Visitor Center, 801 S Copeland Ave, Everglades City, FL 34139. Phone: 293-7743
Chokoloskee Island Park and Marina. 1150 Hamilton Lane, Chokoloskee, FL 34138. Phone: 695-2414
Everglades National Park Free Camping 26 Miles: Bjs Wholesale Club Homestead
Homestead, Florida Elevation: 5
Management Private Retail Store
While our focus is boondocking and free camping, we also list and utilize overnight RV parking locations. If you are unfamiliar with the concept, it might seem strange to run across rest areas, truck stops, and Walmart parking lots in a camping directory. However, for some RVers, it is how they get from one location to the another.
Most parking lots are completely empty at night and many travelers do not need the amenities of an RV park. They just want a couple hours of shut eye before hitting the road again. A place to park is all they need.
Its a symbiotic relationship everyone benefits. Truck stops regularly provide space for truckers and often extend the service to RVers. Just like truckers, RVers use and pay for the facilities inside. Retail stores like Walmart, Cabelas, and Bass Pro enjoy the sales that come from overnighters who come in and browse the store the next day. Restaurants like Cracker Barrel and the Apple Peddler hope that their overnight guests have dinner or breakfast there.
In order for this practice to continue, we must respect our hosts and their property. That is why we strongly believe in and endorse the RVers Good Neighbor Policy. Please read and follow its guidelines. We must be gracious and humble guests. If we are not, there will be more pressure to institute state, county, and local ordinances that prohibit parking on private property.
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Everglades National Park Free Campsites 28 Miles: Exxon
Address Elevation: 7
Management Private Gas station
While our focus is boondocking and free camping, we also list and utilize overnight RV parking locations. If you are unfamiliar with the concept, it might seem strange to run across rest areas, truck stops, and Walmart parking lots in a camping directory. However, for some RVers, it is how they get from one location to the another.
Most parking lots are completely empty at night and many travelers do not need the amenities of an RV park. They just want a couple hours of shut eye before hitting the road again. A place to park is all they need.
Its a symbiotic relationship everyone benefits. Truck stops regularly provide space for truckers and often extend the service to RVers. Just like truckers, RVers use and pay for the facilities inside. Retail stores like Walmart, Cabelas, and Bass Pro enjoy the sales that come from overnighters who come in and browse the store the next day. Restaurants like Cracker Barrel and the Apple Peddler hope that their overnight guests have dinner or breakfast there.
In order for this practice to continue, we must respect our hosts and their property. That is why we strongly believe in and endorse the RVers Good Neighbor Policy. Please read and follow its guidelines. We must be gracious and humble guests. If we are not, there will be more pressure to institute state, county, and local ordinances that prohibit parking on private property.
Amenities:
Everglades National Park Wilderness Permits
Trip planning information can be found HERE
The Marjory Stoneman Douglass Designated Wilderness, found within Everglades National Park, is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States. Everglades National Park protects an unparalleled landscape that provides important habitat for numerous rare and endangered species like the manatee, American crocodile, and the elusive Florida panther.
Everglades National Park designates campsites to prevent resource damage and to improve visitor experience by focusing camping impacts on resilient sites. There are currently three distinct types of campsites within the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Wilderness or other areas managed as wildernessâ chickees, ground sites, and beach sites.
Chickee Sites
Chickee sites are located along waterways and bays where dry land is inaccessible for camping. Comprised of elevated wooden platforms with roofs, chickees give campers a unique experience of camping above the water surface. Chickee platforms are 10 ft by 12 ft and are built to hold a limit of 6 people or 1 group per platform. All of a group’s tents must fit on one reserved platform. A portable toilet is provided at each chickee. Campfires are not allowed. There are 17 chickee sites in Everglades National Park, twelve of which are double-chickees.
Ground Sites
Beach Sites
Any wilderness camping outside of designated campsite types listed above requires a Special Permit from the Chief Rangerâs Office.
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