The Everglades and Big Cypress offer some of America’s most unique camping experiences. From elevated wooden platforms above alligator-filled waters to RV-friendly sites with modern amenities, these wild Florida landscapes provide unforgettable outdoor adventures. Grab your camping gear and explore these eight spectacular spots that showcase the best of South Florida’s breathtaking wilderness.
1. Collier-Seminole State Park: Gateway to the Wild

Just outside Big Cypress Preserve sits this hidden gem offering full hookup sites for RVs up to 50 feet long. When the preserve campgrounds fill up, savvy travelers head here for comfort without crowds.
Massive royal palms tower over campsites, creating natural shade during hot Florida days. The park features a historic walking dredge used to build the Tamiami Trail, adding a touch of engineering history to your wilderness experience.
Paddlers can explore mangrove tunnels via canoe trails, while hikers enjoy spotting rare orchids along nature paths. The campground’s convenient location makes it perfect for day trips throughout the region.
2. Midway Campground: Central Hub for Explorers

Located right along Tamiami Trail, Midway serves as the perfect basecamp for exploring both the Everglades and Big Cypress. The campground forms a circle around a picturesque pond where wading birds hunt at dawn and dusk.
Twenty-six electric sites accommodate RVs while ten tent-only spots offer more rustic options. Year-round availability makes this a reliable choice regardless of when your adventure begins.
Flush toilets, drinking water, and a free dump station provide welcome conveniences in an otherwise wild setting. From here, you’re minutes away from scenic trails and wildlife viewing areas that showcase Florida’s stunning natural diversity.
3. Monument Lake Sites: Primitive Paradise

Rugged dirt roads lead to these three backcountry gems—Burns Lake, Gator Head, and Mitchell Landing. Stargazers flock here for some of Florida’s darkest night skies, unspoiled by city lights.
Vault toilets provide basic facilities, but the real luxury is the solitude. Morning fog lifting off the water creates ethereal landscapes perfect for photographers and nature lovers.
No hookups means these sites attract true wilderness enthusiasts. The primitive conditions keep crowds away, leaving you to enjoy the symphony of frogs and birds that fills the evening air. Remember to secure your Advance Nature permits early—these sought-after spots fill quickly during peak season.
4. Bear Island Campground: Remote Wilderness Retreat

Twenty miles of bumpy gravel road separates this hidden sanctuary from civilization. The journey itself becomes part of the adventure, with wildlife sightings common along the way.
Wooden platforms elevate tents and small RVs above the sometimes-damp ground. Sites 1-12 welcome year-round adventurers, while the remaining spots open seasonally from August through April.
Panthers occasionally prowl these woods, though few campers are lucky enough to spot one. The campground’s remoteness means advance bookings are essential—many wilderness enthusiasts reserve months ahead to secure their slice of this pristine paradise where cell phones rarely find signal.
5. Flamingo Campground: Where Wilderness Meets Comfort

Perched at the southernmost tip of mainland Florida, Flamingo offers an unexpected blend of amenities in the heart of wilderness. Pink and white ibis often strut between campsites as if inspecting new arrivals.
Choose between traditional tent spots, RV hookups, or the increasingly popular eco-tents with raised platforms, power, and cooling fans. The campground’s location where freshwater marsh meets Florida Bay creates a unique ecosystem teeming with life.
Boat tours depart directly from the marina, making wildlife viewing accessible even for those without their own watercraft. Spectacular sunrises over Florida Bay reward early risers with unforgettable golden light painting the vast wetlands.
6. Long Pine Key Campground: Pine Forest Sanctuary

Ancient slash pines create a fragrant canopy over this peaceful campground just seven miles past the park entrance. The distinctive smell of pine needles warming in the sun greets visitors immediately.
Solar-heated showers provide a welcome refresh after days of hiking nearby trails. The 108 non-hookup sites maintain a natural feel while still offering drinking water during winter months.
Spotty cell service encourages genuine disconnection from digital distractions. Campers often report seeing deer wandering through at dusk, while barred owls call hauntingly after dark. The campground’s proximity to park headquarters makes it ideal for first-time Everglades visitors wanting ranger programs and orientation.
7. Wilderness Chickee Platforms: Floating Above the Glades

These elevated wooden platforms offer the most immersive Everglades experience possible. Accessible only by canoe or kayak, chickees provide 14×16-foot havens above waters where alligators patrol beneath your temporary home.
Hurricane-rated roofs shelter campers from sudden subtropical downpours. The mesh privy—a simple toilet with spectacular views—becomes a surprisingly memorable part of the adventure.
Night brings a concert of mysterious splashes and calls unlike anything you’ll hear elsewhere. Stars reflect perfectly in still waters surrounding your platform, creating the illusion of floating in space. Booking through Recreation.gov is essential, as these unique accommodations represent the ultimate Everglades bucket-list experience.
8. Kirby Storter Roadside Stop: Stargazer’s Delight

Though not technically a campground, this free roadside stop serves as a crucial rest area when preserve campgrounds fill up. The short boardwalk stretches into cypress forest, offering quick wildlife viewing without major time commitment.
Picnic shelters provide shaded lunch spots during sweltering summer days. At night, the parking area transforms into an impromptu astronomy center where photographers capture stunning Milky Way shots.
Minimal light pollution makes this accessible spot surprisingly perfect for stargazing. Some travelers even catch quick naps here before continuing their Everglades journey. The convenient location midway along Highway 41 makes Kirby Storter an essential pin on any Everglades explorer’s map.