How to Camp in the Everglades: RV + Tent-Camping Guide

Our first camping trip in Everglades National Park was unforgettable. We had a blast hiking scenic trails, photographing incredible wildlife, and camping in our newly renovated van! But with the park stretching across an impressive 1.5 million acres, choosing the right campground took some planning.

The Everglades offers 3 main camping options—Long Pine Key Campground, Flamingo Campground, and various Backcountry Campgrounds—each with its own perks and challenges. In this guide, we’ll break down the pros and cons of each, share insider tips, and help you secure the perfect spot. Plus, we’ll let you in on a hidden gem just outside the park—a budget-friendly 4th campground worth considering!

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⛺Quick Picks

If you’re short on time, here’s our rundown on which campgrounds in the Everglades will best suit what you’re looking for. By clicking on the campground name, you can jump down to its corresponding section to read more!

🛶 Best for Kayaking: Flamingo Campground in Flamingo

🥾 Central Location: Long Pine Key Campground in Royal Palm

🌲 Complete Solitude: Backcountry Campgrounds in Flamingo and Gulf Coast

💅🏼 Glamping Getaway: Glamping Tents in Flamingo

💵 Budget Option + Closest to Shark Valley: Monument Lake Campground in Big Cypress National Preserve

1. Long Pine Key Campground

Long Pine Key Campground is the first campground you’ll encounter when entering Everglades National Park through the Homestead Entrance—and it’s one of the most popular! Just minutes from the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center and the famous Anhinga Trail, this centrally located campground is a great base for exploring the park’s top attractions.

This 108-site campground offers a short nature trail, a peaceful fishing pond, and easy access to groceries and gas, with Homestead just 20 minutes away. However, keep in mind that Long Pine Key is only open from November 1st to April 30th, closing during the Everglades’ wet season (May–October). This also makes it more popular during the dry season, which is why we couldn’t score a spot this past January.

Compared to Flamingo Campground, Long Pine Key provides more privacy and larger campsites, thanks to its pine rockland ecosystem. The sites are more spaced out, making for a quieter camping experience. There’s even a no-generator section for tent campers who prefer the quiet. If you’re looking for a well-shaded, centrally located campground with easy access to top sights, and can score a spot, Long Pine Key is a fantastic option!

✅ More Privacy
✅ Close to Homestead
✅ Toilets and Showers
✅ Dump Stations
✅ Wheelchair Accessibility
✅ Pets Allowed
✅ Cell Service
❌ Closed May-October
❌ No Electrical Hookups
❌ No Pull-Through Sites

Location: Homestead, FL 33034
Open: Nov 1 – April 30
Price: $29.70-$60 per night
Reservations: Call 1-855-708-2207 or Reserve Here (We highly recommend reserving in advance)

2. Flamingo Campground

Flamingo Campground sits in the southernmost part of the Everglades, near Florida Bay, offering year-round camping right next to kayak and canoe rentals at Flamingo Marina. Its 274 sites are split between 2 loops, tent sites (A-Loop) and RV sites (T-Loop). Generators are permitted in T-Loop only from 8:00 am – 8:00 pm. Generators are prohibited in the A-Loop and Bayside grounds. The sites are not super private as the campground is in a relatively open area. This campground would be great for RV-ers who prioritize pull-through sites as all the sites had that ease of access.

In our case, we stayed in the T-Loop for 2 nights in our van and loved the experience! That being said, we would have preferred to split our time with Long Pine Key if there had been availability. The bugs were atrocious, so having bug nets to cover our van doors was essential to being able to enjoy the comfortable temperatures outside.

There is no hot water in the trailer area (T-Loop). We had driven over to the tent-camping loop (A-Loop) for a hot shower, but the solar panels weren’t heating the water as it was overcast during our stay. The restroom stations were clean, which we appreciated after a day full of hiking the trails. The water fill and sanitary pump-out stations were super convenient located right in the middle of the campground. If you prefer to stay further away from the utility area, that may be something to consider when choosing your spot.

During our stay, we noticed Flamingo’s glamping eco-tents—elevated tents on boardwalk pathways with stunning views of Florida Bay. These are a great option for those looking for a bit more comfort than traditional camping, while also still feeling like you’re in the middle of nature. Upon further research, we also found that Flamingo offers houseboat and lodge options!

However, there are a few drawbacks to this location. Flamingo is a 1-hour drive from Homestead, the closest town, meaning grocery runs and gas fill-ups require planning (and prices inside the park are higher). The campsites are also less secluded than those of Long Pine Key, something to keep in mind if privacy is important to you.

⛽ Although the prices are higher than outside of the park, if you are left without gas you can always fill up at Flamingo Marina.

✅ Open Year-Round
✅ Proximity to Kayak and Canoe Rentals
✅Glamping, Houseboat, and Lodge Options
✅ Toilets and Showers (Hot Water only in Tent Camping Loop)
✅ Pull-Through Sites
✅ Electrical Hookups (Limited amount)
✅ Dump Station
✅ Wheelchair Accessibility
✅ Cell Service
✅ Pets Allowed
❌ Less Privacy
❌ No heated showers in T-Loop
❌ 1-hour drive to Homestead
❌ Higher prices on weekends

Location: 1 Flamingo Lodge Hwy, Homestead, FL
Open: Year-round
Price: $29.70-$60 per night (Prices higher on weekends)
Reservations: Call 1-855-708-2207 or Reserve Here

3. Backcountry Campsites

💡 To reserve a backcountry camping spot, a Wilderness Permit is required to reserve your spot. Once you have this permit, you can reserve a backcountry campground up to 3 months in advance.

For those seeking true solitude and adventure, backcountry camping in Everglades National Park offers an unmatched wilderness experience. Unlike the front-country campgrounds, these remote sites are only accessible by canoe, kayak, or motorboat, making them the most secluded camping option in the park.

There are almost 50 designated backcountry sites, including beach campsites, ground campsites, and chickees—elevated wooden platforms built over the water. Some of the most well-known sites include Hell’s Bay, Whitewater Bay, and Ten Thousand Islands. These locations offer incredible opportunities for stargazing, birdwatching, and complete immersion in nature.

We were lucky enough to check out one of these chickee campsites back in 2022 while on our Great Loop Trip! We didn’t camp out, but were able to climb up and enjoy the views from the Shark Point Chickee with our friend, Rainer, while passing by. To camp in one of these remote campgrounds, you’ll need to obtain a backcountry camping permit, which can be arranged by calling the Flamingo Visitor Center at (239) 695-2945 or applying on this webpage.

⛺ For more help planning your wilderness trip, look to NPS’s Wilderness Trip Planning Page.

✅ Secluded Camping Experience
✅ Beach, Ground, and Chickee Camping Options
❌ No Electrical Hookups (Tent-Camping Only)
❌ No Showers, Sometimes Toilets
❌ No Pull-Through Sites
❌ No Dump Stations
❌ Not Wheelchair Accessible
❌ No Cell Service
❌ Pets Not Allowed

Location: Varies
Open: Year-round
Price: $21 administrative fee + $2 per person, per night
Reservations: Get your wilderness permit online or at Flamingo Visitor Center (we recommend online in advance) then call (877) 444-6777 to reserve your campground up to 3 months in advance.

4. Big Cypress National Preserve

For a budget-friendly alternative just outside Everglades National Park, consider camping in Big Cypress National Preserve! This preserve offers several scenic campgrounds surrounded by stunning wetlands and towering cypress trees. We chose to stay at Monument Lake Campground because while it’s about 1.5 hours from the Homestead entrance of the Everglades, it’s just a 25-minute drive to Shark Valley Visitor Center! It was also a 1-hour drive to the Western Everglades, where we went on a kayaking trip!

One of the biggest perks? Lower camping fees! Since Big Cypress is managed separately from Everglades National Park, you’ll find more affordable rates (starting as low as $10/night) while still enjoying incredible nature. The location also gives you easy access to Collier-Seminole State Park, Picayune Strand State Forest, and Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park.

Monument Lake Campground was located in a dark sky area, meaning we were asked to keep our lights at a minimum at night. Unfortunately, we had overcast skies during our stay, but for those interested in astrophotography, this would be an incredible place to capture the night sky! One final thing to note is that our site didn’t have electric or water hookups, though other sites may offer them. Be sure to check availability and amenities when booking.

✅ Lower Camping Fees
✅ Closer Campgrounds to Shark Valley
✅ Toilets and Showers
❌ Closed Mid-April to Mid-August
❌ Outside of Everglades Park
❌ Only Some Electrical Hookups (Refer Here)

Big Cypress National Preserve – Campground List

Gator Head Campground (located I-75) – Requires a backcountry permit
Bear Island Campground (located I-75)
Pink Jeep (located I-75) – Requires a backcountry permit
Burns Lake Campground (located on 41)
Monument Lake Campground (located on 41)
Midway Campground (FL) – very popular during the winter (located on 41)
Mitchell Landing Campground (Located on Loop Road)
Pinecrest Group Campground (Located on Loop Road)

Monument Lake Location: 50215 Tamiami Trail E, Ochopee, FL
Open: August 15 – April 15
Price: $24-$28 per night (other campgrounds as low as $10/night)
Reservations: Can be made online at Recreation.gov

🦟 5 Things to Keep in Mind at Campgrounds in the Everglades

1. Prepare for the Bugs

Depending on the season when you visit, and also the area of the park, the mosquito count can get quite high. That being said, full-coverage clothing that is still breathable is a must. Beyond this, here are some of the products we used to fight off the bugs and make our experience in the Everglades a bit less itchy:

2. Know the Campgrounds’ Limits

There is a 14-day limit to staying in Everglades National Park, and each frontcountry campsite (Flamingo and Long Pine Key) can hold up to 6 people. If you have a party larger than 6, you’ll need to reserve an additional spot. Also, a maximum of 2 vehicles are allowed at each site.

3. Make Your Reservations in Advance

The dry season in the Everglades runs from November to April and is when the park is at its busiest, with both Flamingo and Long Pine Key Campgrounds being open. If you plan on visiting during these months, try to make your reservation as far in advance as possible to ensure a spot at your preferred campground. If you’re visiting in the wet season (May to October), Flamingo Campground is open and doesn’t take reservations, but it isn’t known to fill up. Long Pine Key Campground stays closed during these months.

4. Expect Higher Prices on Weekends in Flamingo

One thing to keep in mind is that campground prices in Flamingo are higher on the weekend. Weekday prices are generally less expensive, so book Monday to Friday if you’re trying to get the lowest rate. We didn’t see anywhere that said that the rates at Long Pine Key vary.

5. Make a Plan for Your Pets

Pets are not allowed on any of the trails, so be sure to give your dog a good walk around the campground as that’s the only place they’re allowed in this National Park. We kept our dog, Ollie, in our van when we went out hiking and were able to check the temperature of the inside of the van to make sure it stayed at a safe temperature for her. Read more information on the rules surrounding pets in the park on this Pets in the Everglades Page.

🌤️ Everglades Weather

There are two seasons in the Everglades—the wet season and the dry season. This affects the temperature, the amount of bugs, and how much wildlife you’re most likely to see. We last visited in late January, during the peak of the dry season. Here’s what you can expect from each.

Wet Season (Summer)

The wet season in the Everglades runs from the middle of May through November. It is characterized by:

Increased Rainfall
Tropical Storms
Higher Temperatures
More Bugs
Less Wildlife Viewing (Deeper Water)
Smaller Crowds
Very Few Ranger Programs

Dry Season (Winter)

The dry season picks up in December through April. During these months you’ll experience the following:

Less Rainfall
Fewer Storms
Lower Temperatures
Fewer Bugs
Better Wildlife Viewing (Shallower Water)
Larger Crowds
More Ranger Programs

🗺️ Map of Campgrounds in the Everglades

To give you an idea of distances, we’ve pinned the locations of Long Pine Key and Flamingo in blue and all of the Big Cypress campgrounds (outside of the Everglades) in yellow. For backcountry camping locations, refer back to NPS’ map in the backcountry camping section.

How to use this map: We have saved the locations from this guide on this map. You can save this map to your Google Maps by pressing the star icon. In your Google Maps, click the menu icon and then Saved Maps, where this map will appear.

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