The best camping in Everglades National Park, FL

A UNESCO International Biosphere Reserve with over 1.5 million acres of wetlands blanketing the western tip of South Florida, Everglades National Park needs little introduction. Camping here is an adventure—spot alligators, anhinga, and manatees on a boat tour through the marshes, venture into the mangroves on an airboat or kayak rental, or look out for the elusive Florida panther as you follow scenic biking and hiking trails. The park’s two frontcountry campgrounds provide RV camping, tent camping, and group sites, or for the ultimate Everglades camping experience, escape the crowds at a wilderness campsite (“chickees”) accessible only by water.

• Best for paddlers: Flamingo Campground lies at the southern end of the park with access to the boat and canoe trails of the Florida Bay's Ten Thousand Islands.
• Best for classic park tours: Long Pine Key Campground offers seasonal tent and RV camping with potable water and direct access to hiking trails and boat cruises.
• Best for RVs: Freshgardens has pull-through RV sites with water and electric hookups, wifi, and generators allowed.

1. Campers can reserve sites at Flamingo Campground online via the Everglades Guest Services website. Some RV campsites and tent sites at the Long Pine Key Campground can be reserved in advance by phone only; others are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
2. National Park Service campsites can book up fast during peak season (December to April), so book at least three months in advance.
3. Backcountry camping is allowed in the Flamingo and Key Largo areas, where you can also find elevated camping platforms ("chickees") accessible by water. First-come, first-served wilderness camping permits are available at the Gulf Coast Visitor Center.

Everglades National Park is open year-round with two distinct seasons. Most campers visit during the winter dry season (November through March), when mild temperatures and lower humidity combine with receding water levels to maximize wildlife watching. Expect hot, humid, and sometimes stormy weather during the summer wet season (April through October), when tours may be limited due to high water levels, and mosquitos can be a nuisance.

• Three Everglades National Park entrances exist: the main entrance in Homestead, the Shark Valley entrance in Miami, and the Gulf Coast entrance in Everglades City. Long Pine Key Campground is open seasonally from November to May; limited camping is available at Flamingo Campground during the low season.
• A per-vehicle entrance fee applies and lasts for seven days.
• The Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center, Royal Palm Visitor Center bookstore, Flamingo marina store, and Gulf Coast Visitor Center store all sell snacks and offer more information on park activities. Bring everything else you need with you.
• Leashed pets are allowed in parking areas and frontcountry campgrounds but not on trails, at backcountry campsites, or in wilderness areas.
• Accessible restrooms, campsites, boat tours, and picnic tables can be found in the Florida Everglades.