Camping in the Everglades: Which Campground to Choose, Reservations and Rates
In a nutshell: You can camp inside Everglades National Park. Two drive-up campgrounds, Long Pine Key and Flamingo, accommodate tents and RVs. Reservations are made through Recreation.gov and are essential during the busy season. Dozens of backcountry sites round out the options for visitors who want to venture deep into the mangroves.
Campgrounds in the park (2)
- Campground Long Pine Key Campground see NPS · 108 sites Directions ↗
- Campground Flamingo Campground see NPS · 274 sites Directions ↗
Base map © OpenStreetMap · © CARTO Can You Camp Inside the Everglades?
Yes, camping is allowed inside the park. Two campgrounds with road access are open to the public. Free camping is prohibited except at officially designated backcountry sites, and a permit is required. Wood fires are prohibited outside the fire rings provided on-site.
Campgrounds in the Park
Long Pine Key
Long Pine Key is about 6 miles from the Ernest F. Coe entrance, on the Homestead side. It's the most accessible campground from Miami and our natural base for a first night in the park. Tents and RVs are welcome, but there are no electrical hookups. Restrooms and running water are available on-site.
The site's biggest advantage is that the Long Pine Key trails start right at the campground. Set up your tent, lace up your shoes, and head out to look for egrets among the pine hammocks. In the evening, the golden light over the prairies makes the trip worthwhile all by itself.
Flamingo
Flamingo sits at the southern end of the park, 37 miles from the main entrance. This is literally the end of the road. Beyond this point, everything happens on the water. The campground offers tent and RV sites, plus a few sites with electrical hookups when available. You'll also find showers, a grocery store during the season, and direct access to the marina.
The location is ideal for kayaking toward the Ten Thousand Islands or reaching the backcountry chickees. The trade-off is the distance. Plan everything in advance, including fuel, water, and provisions, before you arrive.
RV vs. Tent: Which Site Should You Choose?
Both campgrounds accept RVs, but electrical hookups are limited to Flamingo and are available at only some sites. Long Pine Key has no hookups, so you'll need to be fully self-sufficient. The rules allow generators only during designated hours.
If you're bringing a large RV, check the maximum lengths accepted on Recreation.gov before booking. Tents work well at both sites. Long Pine Key's canopy offers better protection from the afternoon heat than Flamingo's open terrain.
If you're deciding between camping and other lodging, our Everglades lodging guide compares all the options around the park.
Camping Nearby: Private Campgrounds Outside the Park
When the park is full, which happens quickly from December through April, Homestead and Florida City offer several private campgrounds less than 30 minutes from the Ernest F. Coe entrance. They often have full hookups for RVs, a pool, and Wi-Fi, amenities the park campgrounds don't offer.
You'll find the details for these off-site options in our Where to Stay guide.
Wilderness and Backcountry Camping: Spending the Night in the Wild
The Everglades have one of the most unusual backcountry networks in the United States. Sites fall into three categories: chickees, which are raised wooden platforms over the water; ground sites on firm ground in island areas; and beach sites along the Gulf of Mexico.
To use them, you'll need a backcountry permit issued by the park. You can get one online or at the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center. Most sites are accessible only by kayak or canoe. Be prepared for long distances, no drinking-water sources along the way, and strict waste-management rules in the wetlands. In return, spending a night on a chickee in the mangroves is unlike anything you'll find in another U.S. national park.
For detailed routes and permit rules, our Everglades hiking guide covers the backcountry routes and permit requirements.
How and When to Reserve Your Everglades Campsite
Reservations are made through Recreation.gov. The booking window generally opens six months in advance. During the busy season, from December through April in the dry season, the best sites sell out within hours of the calendar opening.
Our advice is to set an alert on Recreation.gov and book on the day reservations open if you're targeting Flamingo in January or February. In the off-season, from May through November, the heat and humidity keep many visitors away. Finding a site as you go becomes realistic, but conditions are much less comfortable.
To choose the right time of year for your priorities, our guide to the best times to visit the Everglades breaks down the two seasons.
Rates: How Much Does a Night of Camping in the Everglades Cost?
Standard sites at Long Pine Key and Flamingo, for tents or RVs without hookups, cost about $30 per night. Sites with electrical hookups at Flamingo cost more. The backcountry permit is an additional charge.
These rates do not include the park entrance fee. The fee is $35 per private vehicle or $20 per person entering on foot or by bicycle. The America the Beautiful Pass costs $80 per year and covers park entry, not camping.
For entrance fees and annual passes, see the National Parks Fees and Passes page.
Camping Safety and Best Practices
Alligators: The 16-Foot Rule
The Everglades are home to a dense alligator population. The rule is nonnegotiable: stay at least 16 feet away from any alligator you see. Feeding an alligator is a federal offense punishable by a fine. After dark, never approach the water without a flashlight. Alligators are present year-round. They're more active and territorial from May through September, during the hot season and breeding season. Never leave children or pets unattended near the water.
Mosquitoes: The Overlooked Threat
The wet season, from May through November, can turn some areas into a nightmare for anyone who arrives without repellent. Bring DEET- or picaridin-based insect repellent, cover your arms and legs at dusk, and choose a tent with an integrated bug net. When we visited in October, skipping this precaution for just one evening was enough to make the night memorable for all the wrong reasons.
Food and Storage
Keep all food in airtight containers and store it in your vehicle or in the food lockers provided on-site. Raccoons and opossums are formidable nighttime scavengers.
Heat and Hydration
Summer temperatures can exceed 95°F. Carry more water than you think you'll need, especially in the backcountry, where there are no resupply points along the way.
Which Campground Should You Choose?
First visit, arriving by car: Long Pine Key is convenient, close to the trails, and away from the crowds at Flamingo.
Kayaking or canoeing, with backcountry access: Flamingo is the gateway to the coastal areas and the chickees.
RV with an electrical hookup: Choose Flamingo first, where sites are limited and should be reserved early, or stay at a private campground in Homestead if the park is full.
The most rugged experience: Get a backcountry permit and spend the night on a chickee. Plan on at least two days of paddling.
Our complete Everglades guide brings together all the planning information you need if you're building your trip from scratch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you sleep in the Everglades?
Yes. You can spend the night in the Everglades at two drive-up campgrounds, Long Pine Key and Flamingo, or at dozens of backcountry sites accessible by kayak, with a permit required.
How do you camp in the Everglades?
To camp in the Everglades, reserve a site through Recreation.gov at Long Pine Key or Flamingo, or get a backcountry permit from the park for the wilderness sites accessible by water.
When is alligator season in the Everglades?
Alligators are present in the Everglades year-round. They're more active and territorial from May through September, during the hot season and breeding season.
What's the best place to visit in the Everglades?
For camping, Flamingo offers the most options, including kayaking, coastline, and backcountry access. Long Pine Key is more convenient for a first night from Miami. Our complete Everglades guide helps you choose based on your interests.
How much does a night at an Everglades campground cost?
A standard site costs about $30 per night, not including the park entrance fee of $35 per vehicle. Electrical sites at Flamingo and the backcountry permit involve additional fees.