Everglades National Park
Camping
Camping is a great way to get into the park for an extended visit. Everglade's campgrounds are opened year-round and offer a great diversity of choice. Front country campgrounds in Flamingo and Long Pine Key are a great place to pitch a tent and sleep under the stars (The campsite at Chekika is closed indefinitely). For the more adventurous, 47 designated wilderness campsites along 156 miles (251 km) of canoe and walking trails offer opportunities for solitude. Campsite availability in the front and back country may be affected as a result of the damage from Hurricane Wilma. Carl Ross Key and Kingston Key are closed.
Campground reservations are accepted up to five months in advance. During the winter season (November 1—April 30), camping is limited to 14 consecutive days and may not exceed 30 days in one year. Camping from May through October is by self-registration. Fees are not charged from June to August.
Flamingo
The largest, most popular campground is along Florida Bay at the end of the main park road in Flamingo. This site offers easy access to hiking and canoe trails and fishing in the bay. There are 234 drive-in sites, including 55 with water views and 40 walk-up sites (6 on the water's edge). It also has cold-water showers, two dump stations, picnic tables and grills.
Long Pine Key
Located seven miles (11 km) from the main entrance, just off the main road, the campground at Long Pine Key has 108 drive-up sites. There are restrooms, water and a sewer dump station with fresh water fill, but no showers. Recreational vehicles are welcome, but there are no hookups. Several hiking trails are also in the area. This campground does not accept reservations.
Group Camping
The Long Pine Key campground has one group site and the Flamingo campground has three, all available for $28.00 per night The limit per group site is 15 people. For group site reservations at Flamingo and Long Pine Key, please call (800) 365-CAMP (2267).
Wilderness Camping.
There are 47 backcountry campsites in the park—two are accessible by land, the others only by water. Fifteen are chickees (raised wooden platforms with thatched roofs); the others are beach and ground sites. The Pearl Bay Chickee is accessible to people with mobility impairments. It features handrails, a canoe dock and an accessible chemical toilet. Backcountry camping permits are available on a first-come, first-served basis from the Flamingo or Gulf Coast Ranger Station. There is a fee for a backcountry permit.
Everglades In Depth
News from the Parks
Civil Rights Leaders Declare Fundraising Success for the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial
December 4, 2008 - 3:10pm
Civil rights leaders gathered Wednesday to declare that they had finally overcome their money obstacles and raised more than $100 million to build the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial near the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall.
December 4, 2008 - 3:10pm
Civil rights leaders gathered Wednesday to declare that they had finally overcome their money obstacles and raised more than $100 million to build the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial near the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall.
Wildlife Biologist Cites Reasons Behind Bear Attacks
December 4, 2008 - 3:08pm
Great Smoky Mountains National Park wildlife biologist Bill Stiver said bear management and education of the public must take place in order to decrease harmful bear and human encounters.
December 4, 2008 - 3:08pm
Great Smoky Mountains National Park wildlife biologist Bill Stiver said bear management and education of the public must take place in order to decrease harmful bear and human encounters.
Park Develops Plan to Preserve Outcrops
December 4, 2008 - 3:05pm
Shenandoah National Park asked for comments on a study it did on how people affect rock outcrops and the rare vegetation that grows on them. Visitors have damaged some popular rock outcrops and the park is trying to decide how to best protect pristine areas while still allowing visitors to enjoy them.
December 4, 2008 - 3:05pm
Shenandoah National Park asked for comments on a study it did on how people affect rock outcrops and the rare vegetation that grows on them. Visitors have damaged some popular rock outcrops and the park is trying to decide how to best protect pristine areas while still allowing visitors to enjoy them.
White House Christmas Tree Lighting Closes Streets, Limits Parking
December 4, 2008 - 3:04pm
D.C. police are warning travelers of street closures near the White House during the afternoon rush hour for the lighting of the National Christmas tree.
December 4, 2008 - 3:04pm
D.C. police are warning travelers of street closures near the White House during the afternoon rush hour for the lighting of the National Christmas tree.
Officials Prepare for Chronic Wasting in Deer
December 4, 2008 - 3:01pm
Chronic wasting disease, a contagious neurological disease that affects white-tailed deer, could devastate local deer populations, and National Park Service officials want to be prepared if the disease makes its way inside the boundaries of Monocacy and Antietam national battlefields.
December 4, 2008 - 3:01pm
Chronic wasting disease, a contagious neurological disease that affects white-tailed deer, could devastate local deer populations, and National Park Service officials want to be prepared if the disease makes its way inside the boundaries of Monocacy and Antietam national battlefields.
