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Camping is a popular attraction in the Florida Everglades. Specifically inside of Everglades National Park, there are hundreds of different campsites that can be accessed by car. Front country camping is available close to both the Flamingo Visitor Center and the Coe Visitor Center, with 234 and 108 campsites respectively. These are the most popular among tourists. Unless you’re a wilderness expert, going camping in the Florida Everglades is usually done in the front country where you have close access to modern amenities and are not “alone in the woods” or should that be “swamps”?!
RV camping is available at both of these sites, but not all of the necessary services for RVs are provided. Nonetheless, on any RV tour of south Florida, this is a stop that must be made to get the full enjoyment of a Florida vacation. If you’re traveling through Florida and don’t stop to visit the Everglades, you will most likely regret it!
Keep in mind that this is a protected environment and there IS wildlife in the area. If you are skittish or concerned about running into wild animals in the middle of the night, camping in the Everglades might not be the right choice for you. Although these creatures generally keep to themselves and away from the human-inhabited areas of the park, they can sometimes stray and stumble upon campsites. This is no cause for alarm, because you are camping in their environment, after all.
Back Country Camping
Anyone who intends on camping in the back country must have a permit. The back country is any area that is not designated as a protected campsite and does not feature the benefits of camping near visitor centers and public access roads. This type of camping is for the true wilderness junkie, and can offer a chance for you to see more by getting up close and personal with nature. This type of camping mostly consists of chickees, but there are some beach and ground sites available.
You can find back country camping at:
- The Wilderness Waterway
- Gulf Coast Sites
- 10,000 Islands
- Various Florida Keys
When to Camp
Camping is available year-round, but during the summer months, the humidity and mosquitoes will be severe, making any trip a little less than enjoyable. The most popular time for visiting and camping in the Everglades is the winter, when the weather is mild and the mosquitoes are least active. December through March are popular months for tourists, and for good reason. At this time, mosquitoes are not as active and the weather is cool and dry, providing near-perfect camping and hiking conditions.