Camping In The Everglades National Park

I’ve been to the Everglades several times, and camped during each trip. Camping in Everglades National Park can be a lot of fun (and a cheap alternative to hotels), but there’s a few things you will want to know ahead of time (like which campgrounds to avoid because of mosquito swarms.)

I’ve stayed at all of the campgrounds in the Everglades, as well as spent a week kayak camping in the backcountry. Plus, on my last trip I checked out a few campgrounds just outside of Everglades National Park and really liked them – I’d even recommend them over some of the camping in Everglades.

In this article:

• Campgrounds in the Everglades + nearby options
• Best season for camping in Everglades National Park
• Tips for mosquitos (because you can’t avoid them completely)
• How to book Everglades campsites

Disclaimer: This article features some affiliate links. I only endorse things I’ve personally used or that come highly recommended by trusted peers. If you purchase anything I mention using my referral links from Amazon, REI or other retailers I may receive a small commission. However, there is never extra cost to you. You can read more here. Thank you for your support.

Everglades National Park Camping Map

The Everglades National Park is truly massive. Over 1.5 million acres, in fact. So as you can imagine, campgrounds in the Everglades can be quite spread out.

Depending on which area of the park you plan to visit, some Everglades campgrounds will make more sense logistically than others.

For example, Flamingo Campground is at least an hour from just about anything else so it’s really only ideal if you’re spending time in Flamingo.

Camping In The Everglades National Park

There are two campgrounds in Everglades National Park; Flamingo and Long Pine Key Campground. I stayed at both on my recent trip.

Flamingo was my first night, and after being accosted by mosquitos (while being outside for approximately 10 seconds total) I was happy to move to Long Pine Key the second night of my trip.

Long Pine Key has far fewer mosquitos, nicer showers, and the campsites have much more privacy. In general, I preferred Long Pine Key to Flamingo by a landslide.

Flamingo Campground In The Everglades

Season: Year-round
Cost Non-Electric Site: $33 weekday, $38.50 weekend
Cost Electric Site: $50 weekday, $60 weekend

Flamingo Campground is located at the southern end of Everglades National Park, in Flamingo. This is a great area for kayaking and canoeing, but it’s also known for having massive swarms of mosquitos.

The Flamingo Campground is decent, in my opinion, but not somewhere I’d choose to stay again.

There are very few trees or shrubs to provide privacy between campsites, or any sort of noise block. Expect to hear your neighbors conversations.

Hot showers are available, but are reliant on solar power. If you plan to shower at night or during an overcast day you’re not likely to have too much hot water.

NOTE: Heated water is only available in the tent loop.

Flamingo Campground also offers a few glamping tents, houseboats and lodge rooms for rent. Honestly, these are a good option if you want to avoid mosquitos — especially during the summer season.

Lastly, Flamingo Campground is pretty remote. It’s over an hour to drive to Homestead (the nearest town) and options for restaurants or gas stations are limited.

➜ Book Flamingo Campground here

Long Pine Key Campground

Season: Nov 1 – April 30
Cost: $33

Long Pine Key Campground in Everglades is my preference. It’s more conveniently located to the best things to do in Everglades National Park, like Anhinga Trail and fun ranger programs.

Homestead is only 20 minutes from Long Pine Key Campground, so getting groceries or dinner out is easy.

It’s also a nicer campground than Flamingo. There are plenty of trees and landscaping that make the campsites feel cozy and private.

I thought the bathrooms were nicer and cleaner – the showers are actually private rooms, not stalls.

Most importantly, the mosquitos are substantially less obnoxious than in Flamingo Campground. The ones in Long Pine Key Campground won’t ruin your trip.

➜ Book Long Pine Key Campground here

Everglades Backcountry Camping

There are also tons of Everglades backcountry camping options. Most of them require a canoe or kayak in order to access. You can rent these in Flamingo or Everglades City, or bring your own.

To camp in the backcountry you must have a wilderness permit. These can be reserved online at reservation.gov up to 90 days before your trip. Permits cost $21, plus $2 per person for each night.

Campsites include beach (sand), ground (dirt) and chickee hut (suspended wooden platform above water).

For more information about planning an Everglades kayak camping trip visit the NPS website here.

My first trip to the Everglades was a kayak camping trip and it was so much fun. However, there’s a lot of preparation that goes into these trips, including properly understanding tide and nautical charts. For that reason, we chose to book a guided tour with an expert.

Camping Near Everglades National Park

Just outside of Everglades National Park is Big Cypress National Preserve. It’s a very similar ecosystem to the Everglades, but there is no entrance fee and the campgrounds are more affordable.

There are 5 frontcountry campgrounds in Big Cypress, and they can all be reserved up to 6 months in advance on the recreation.gov website.

Midway Campground

Season: Year-round
Cost Tent Site: $24
Cost RV (Electric) Site: $30

I spent one night at Midway Campground. It’s a smaller campground with nice bathrooms and well maintained grounds.

The bathrooms were clean with running water, however, Midway Campground does not have showers. The camp host recommended we shower at Monument Lake Campground, about 10-minutes down the road.

NOTE: I’m not entirely sure what the “official” rules are for this, but it sounded like Midway campers using the Monument Lake showers was normal. Regardless, we were quick and left it clean.

Tent sites here are also a bit unusual. Instead of a numbered site, there’s an open field. You can pitch your tent wherever you’d like. Vehicle parking is nearby, and these spots are the closest to the restrooms.

What I liked the most about Midway Campground is how close it was to Shark Valley. It saved me quite a it of drive time.

➜ Book Midway Campground here

Monument Lake Campground Florida

Season: Year-round
Cost Tent Site: $24
Cost RV (Nonelectric) Site: $28

While I didn’t spend an evening here, I did stop over to use the showers and wowwwweee – some of the nicest showers I have ever seen in a campground. (And that’s saying something after traveling in my campervan for several years!)

The restrooms are clean, recently remodeled with a large shower, good water pressure and lots of hot water.

NOTE: There is only one shower for each gender.

Another thing I noticed about this campground was how completely dark it was. I arrived after dark, and just navigating the backroad into the campground was tricky.

It’s a dark sky preserve, so they don’t have many lights in use which means the night sky pops with millions of stars. It’s truly beautiful.

This is another very convenient campground to Everglades City and Shark Valley.

➜ Book Monument Lake Campground here

Other Camping Near Everglades National Park

Big Cypress National Preserve has three other frontcountry campgrounds, although they’re a bit trickier to get to with a vehicle than Midway or Monument Lake.

➜ Burns Lake is $24 per night and does not have potable water available. It’s mostly used by hunters and off-road vehicles.

➜ Bear Island is only $10 per night but can only be accessed by traveling 20 miles down a dirt road. It’s open year-round.

➜ Mitchell’s Landing is $24 per night and has no electric or water. 15 sites are available from August 15 – April 15.

How To Book Campgrounds In The Everglades

Booking campgrounds in Everglades National Park is different than most other National Parks. The campgrounds are managed through a vendor, Flamingo Adventures, and not through the normal recreation.gov website.

To put it nicely, it’s a complete mess. Flamingo Adventures website is built poorly. They will send you approximately 50 emails within 2 weeks of booking your campsite.

And, most annoyingly, you cannot book a specific campsite. They’ll assign you one upon arrival.

You are able to book the type of site you want (RV or tent). When you enter the main gate, you’ll be given a packet of information, including your assigned campsite number.

If you arrive after hours, like I did, this information is left for you at the kiosk.

While this worked out fine for me, I can imagine anyone with small children or special medical needs who may need to visit the bathroom frequently may struggle with not having more control over what exactly they’re booking.

Camping in Everglades National Park is convenient if you want to be close to Royal Palms or Flamingo. You’ll have to battle the online booking system and pay a little more, but it’ll save you an hour or more in the car.

For Shark Valley or Everglades City I would recommend booking a campground near Everglades in Big Cypress. Those sites are less expensive and can be easily booked online at recreation.gov.

Tips For Camping In The Everglades With Mosquitos

Oh gawd, the mosquitos. No matter what season you’re visiting the Everglades in, you need to be prepared for an onslaught of mosquitos.

I know I sound dramatic, it is dramatic.

If you think you’re over-prepared for mosquitos, you aren’t.

Flamingo area is the worst, by a landslide. Even during the “non-mosquito” season, I was covered in mosquitos.

In the 5 seconds it took for me to open my car door and step outside my entire arm was covered in black vibrating wings. Like I’d suddenly grown fur. I hadn’t even had a chance to shut my car door before they descended on me.

I vividly remember rushing into the shower at the Flamingo Campground, not caring that the water was cold, just simply wanting to pressure blast the blood suckers off of me.

And that was in December, when mosquitos are at their lowest numbers.

Luckily, Long Pine Key and Shark Valley weren’t nearly as intolerable.

I learned a few important tips, though:

Pack bug spray with DEET. Preferably, 100% DEET. It’s strong stuff, and not ideal for most trips, but it’s the most effective at keeping mosquitos away, along with all the nasty diseases they carry.

I recommend this one on Amazon – I prefer the spray over the aerosol so you can fly with it.

If you don’t want mosquitos in your ears, get a head net. A bit dorky? Sure. But any time I’m in a position to need to put this thing on I couldn’t care less about what I look like because I’m completely miserable without it, lol.

The 3 hours surrounding dusk and dawn are the worst. If you can, plan indoor activities during these times.

I also recommend mosquito coils, kind of like incense, which burns a scent that repels nearby mosquitos and mosquito repellant bracelets, because they’re effective, inexpensive and you need an arsenal of weapons.

Do not underestimate the mosquitos. 🦟🦟🦟

Keep Planning Your Florida Trip

➜ Everglades National Park Itinerary + Best Things To Do
➜ Florida National Parks Itinerary (4 & 7 Day Road Trip To Everglades, Biscayne + Dry Tortugas)
➜ Best Dry Tortugas Day Trip Itinerary (+ Cheapest Way To Get There)
➜ Visiting Biscayne National Park Itinerary + Travel Guide