Camping Everglades National Park Campgrounds

Everglades National Park Camping

Campgrounds are located only in the Homestead main section of the park

Everglades National Park
Camping and Campgrounds

Camping in Everglades National Park is divided into two types of campgrounds, the “frontcountry” drive-to campsites and the “backcountry” sites reached only by hiking or by boat. The frontcountry sites are the busiest and require advance reservations during the peak months.

The fees vary with location. Campground pet regulations are standard. Pets are required to be on a leash because roaming free would be dangerous to them. Alligators in Florida are notorious for eating even leashed pets when they were on a leash.

Long Pine Key Campground is located about 7 miles from Homestead’s main entrance has 108 sites for tents and RVs. Open only between November and May, no advance reservations available for tent campers, only for RVs. The area also has extensive network of hiking trails.

Flamingo Campground: Located on the southern tip of the Florida peninsula, this popular campground has Flamingo Campground is located at the end of the Main Park Road, 38 miles from the park's main entrance. Fronting Florida Bay and close to the Flamingo Marina, Flamingo Campground is Homestead’s most requested camping site. Reservations are a must during the cooler winter season. Overall, there are 234 drive-in sites and 64 walk-up sites, with 55 campsites near Florida Bay. Reservations are limited to 90 sites. The rest are on a first-come basis. Pets must be leashed, although relatively few campers take them.

Facilities include solar-heated cold water showers (lacking at Long Pine Key Campground), two dump stations and electrical hookups for RVs, grills and picnic tables. For RVs, 41 sites have electrical hookups in a T-loop with 65 sites. The campground location is a brief distance by car from the Flamingo visitor center and marina.

Reservations are necessary from mid-November to mid-April. During the warm wet season, when the campground may flood. Reservations can be made online or by calling 1-877-444-6777 (International: 1-518-885-3639). See the season schedule.

Flamingo Houseboats: Two 35-foot rental houseboats capable of sleeping six that are allowed only on the backcountry’s White Water Bay. No boats allowed on Florida Bay. Reservations required at least a week in advance.

Backcountry sites provide a feel of genuine wilderness. They can be reached only by canoe, kayak, motorboat, or on foot. The sites are located on the ground, beach and an elevated platform called a chickee, the Seminole name for house. No reservations accepted but backcountry permit must be obtained from the park.

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