Camping in Everglades National Park

Have you ever wondered how it's like to visit a perfect subtropical wilderness? What can you enjoy there? Well, for that you don't have to spend a lot of money by staying on a fancy touristy Caribbean island. You can witness the fantastic experience in the Florida Everglades. Yes, one of the best ways to see the beautiful sub tropical wilderness is going for an Everglades Camping trip at Everglades National Park.

Speaking about Everglades National Park, it is one of the most unique and most significant national parks in the United States of America. Here you can witness a unique and diverse ecosystem. Covering an area of around 1.5 million acres, the Everglades National Park demonstrates a truly unique ecosystem of wildlife and plants.

The camping site is located in Southern Florida and has different mesmerizing bio diversified landscapes, covering pine forests, mangrove forests, marine estuaries, freshwater sloughs, and more. Do you know what the best way to experience it is? Plan a trip to spend a few days and nights camping in the Florida Everglades.

Planning for camping? Understanding permits and making a reservation

If you plan an Everglades Camping adventure with your friends or family, you should make reservations. The process will vary based on the campground you are choosing. For example:

 

Lone Pine Key Campground

They only accept reservations for campsites that allow RVs. There is no reservation facility for the tent sites. Well, you can snatch one on a first-come, first-served basis at your own risk.

 

Flamingo Campground

This site accepts reservations for RV campsites, and you can also make reservations for the drive-in tent campsites.

 

Wilderness Camping

There are different ground sites, elevated camping platforms, and beach sites available to reserve in Everglades National Park. You can reach the wilderness camping sites using motorboats, kayaks, or canoes. However, it would be best if you got a permit from the park authority. It is generally issued the day of your trip when you arrive at Gulf Cost or the Flamingo Visitor Centers.

Even though a reservation is not mandatory, it will be better for you to avoid unwanted discomfort during the peak season, i.e., from December to April. You won't like to arrive at a crowded campground.

 

What should you bring on your camping trip?

Getting ready for your Everglades camping trip consists of more than just deciding the best campground that will perfectly fit your requirements. You need to make sure that you have all the necessary gear to make your camping enjoyable and memorable. Some of the essential items that you need are:

Camping stove

Equipment to cook food during your camping trip is highly recommended.

Pop-up canopy

Well, the heat in Southern Florida can be very intense sometimes. You can get some shade at the Lone Pine Key campground. However, if you choose the Flamingo Campground to enjoy your Everglades Camping, you should get a pop-up canopy.

 

Cooler

You will need one to keep yourself cool during the hot time.

 

Guidebook

You should bring an Everglades Guidebook with you to get helpful insight and information so that you can plan your trip perfectly.

 

Why should you go camping in the Everglades?

Some places can be only be accessed by a kayak, and that is exciting.

Occasionally overgrown and narrow mangrove tunnels are impossible to access without using a kayak. On the other hand, South-West Florida's open waters are perfectly traversed with paddles.

Well, the experience will be very exhilarating. You will find this as the best way to explore the wilderness, and you will be able to immerse yourself in the mesmerizing settings.

 

You can click some stunning photos.

In North America, this is the only subtropical area. The Everglades National Park is amazingly diverse, and there is no such significant change in the altitude. The landscape houses some plants that you will not find in other places. If you are a bird photographer, here you can witness different beautiful species. Besides, you can get the best shots of alligators.

 

The wildlife is just spectacular.

You will feel thrilled while watching the stunning wildlife during your Everglades Camping excursion. You will get an excellent chance to see alligators up close and personal, but be careful with that as you are here to enjoy your trip.

Your kids will love it.

Bring your children here, and they will never be bored. Panthers, crocodiles, manatees, and more, kids will love to see them. Taking an airboat ride at Everglades Safari Park, renting a kayak, a canoe, riding a bike around the park are some of the favorite activities that you all can enjoy.

 

Visit places in Everglades National Park during your camping adventure.

Well, there are four essential areas that you can visit. These are:

 

Shark Valley

Shark Valley is located near the entrance of Miami just West of Everglades Safari Park and is a part of the Everglades. The name comes from the Shark River. It includes a 15-mile road loop, and you can ride a bike and walk up a high observation tower. There you can enjoy a guided tram tour.

 

Gulf Coast

You can access the island only by boat. The island houses an extensive mangrove forest. You can bring your craft, or you can rent a charter boat to explore the fantastic mangrove estuary.

 

Flamingo

This park is quite popular as it is located near the mangrove waterways. You can kayak or canoe from the marina to explore the area. The place also has a beautiful campground, and you can enjoy multiple hiking trails here.

 

Royal Palm

Here you can enjoy the Gumbo Limbo Trail and Anhinga Trail. You will witness Taylor Slough's wildlife and the hardwood hammocks when you walk through these hiking trails.

When to visit?

For the best experience, you should avoid the rainy season, i.e., from June to November. The Florida Everglades witness regular rainfall during these months and makes it difficult for most to enjoy outdoor activities. Besides, this is the time when hurricanes hit the area. So, the winter is the best time to visit the park and go on your Everglades Camping trip. So, what are you waiting for and choose this for your next vacation and enjoy some memorable moments?