There’s camping, and there’s glamping. At Everglades National Park in southern Florida, you can do both.
Glamping at Everglades National Park / Everglades Adventures via NPS
Glamping
What, exactly, is “glamping?” A combination of “glamorous” and “camping,” glamping is a little bit more luxurious than your regular tent site. With Flamingo Adventures, you have both winter and summer options for overnighting in one of 20 upscale safari-type (aka Eco) tents on slightly-elevated platforms to keep your feet from stepping in mud or on critters. Glamping tents are available with and without beds. ADA-accessible one double bed tents are also offered.
Voted “one of the best 2022 glamping spots by USA Today,” these safari-style tents with fans and electricity begin at $109 per night (not including taxes) during the 2024-2025 winter season (November 1 – April 30). Summer rates for 2025 (May 1 – October 31) start at $50 per night depending upon tent style, exclusive of taxes.
There are secure bathrooms as well as a separate eating area at the front of the boardwalk for tent glamping guests only.
In-tent amenities include:
- 1 Queen Bed, 2 Double Beds or 1 Double Bed
- Sheets, blanket, and pillows
- Lamp, featuring USB connector and holder for charging small handheld electronics
- Fan
- Extra power outlets for two additional plugin devices
- Shelf with baskets to holds knick-knacks
- Large empty space capable of holding your own portable sleep system
Camping
If no glamping tent is available during the time of your stay, or if regular tent camping is more your style, there are two campgrounds managed by Flamingo Adventures: Flamingo Campground and Long Pine Key Campground.
Flamingo Campground on the shores of Florida Bay, Everglades National Park / NPS-R. Cammauf
Open year-round, the Flamingo Campground is located 38 miles (61.16 kilometers) south of the park’s Homestead Entrance and offers 55 tent-only sites (A-Loop) and 65 RV sites (T-Loop). There is a group site accommodating 15 people, 5 tents, and 3 vehicles per night. There are also designated ADA-accessible sites. Electric hookups (20/30/40 amp) are offered at 41 RV sites. RV maximum length is 35 feet (10.7 meters). Trailers are not permitted.
Potable water, picnic tables, grills, and an amphitheater for seasonal Ranger programs are available at this campground.
- Non-electric campsite fees per night: $33 Mon-Thurs, $38.50 Fri-Sun, $60 for group sites.
- Electric campsite fees per night: $50 Mon-Thurs, $60 Fri-Sun.
A 10 percent discount is offered to Senior/Access/Active and Retired Military passholders on all but group sites.
Pitching a tent at Long Pine Key Campground, Everglades National Park / NPS file
Open seasonally November – May, Long Pine Key Campground is located seven miles (11.27 kilometers) from the main park entrance at Homestead, near the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center. There are 108 total sites (26 tent-only) and one group site accommodating 15 people, 5 tents, and 3 vehicles per night. There are also designated ADA-accessible sites. Some RV sites will accommodate a maximum length of 45 feet (13.7 meters), and you can choose a site for your specific RV length on the campground’s website (click on the link at the top of this page to go there).
- Amenities include 4 bath houses, a dump station, and a potable water filling station.
- Long Pine Key has both AT&T and Verizon cell phone services.
- Campsite fees per night: – Regular Rate: $33; Group Site: $60
A 10 percent discount is offered to Senior/Access/Active and Retired Military passholders on all but group sites.
Click here for a map of Flamingo Campground.
Click here for a map of Long Pine Key Campground.
Wilderness Camping
A Sweetwater Chickee (elevated structure) wilderness campsite, Everglades National Park / NPS-Jane Gamble
Pitching a tent at a crowded campground may not be your idea of getting away from it all. You can, however, experience the solitude and beauty of the Everglades by pitching a tent in the park’s wilderness. Be aware, however, that most wilderness sites are accessible only by water. This takes a bit more planning and preparation, and The Wilderness Trip Planner will help with tackling the details.
Wilderness permits are required for any backcountry camping in the park. You can obtain a permit through recreation.gov. An Everglades Backcountry Wilderness permit allows overnight camping in the backcountry wilderness at chickee (elevated platform), ground and beach campsites. Your recreation.com email serves as your permit, which must be printed out or saved digitally and carried with you during your trip. The permit reservation fee is a non-refundable $21 in addition to a $2 per person, per night recreation fee required for the length of a reservation.
Effective April 1, 2024, the Gulf Coast canoe/kayak launch and adjoining parking lot are closed for construction. Alternate launch sites are available. Fees at these sites vary. Contact the sites directly for more information:
- Everglades City: Everglades Bait and Tackle or the Rod & Gun Club
- Chokoloskee: Outdoor Resorts of Chokoloskee and the Chokoloskee Island Park and Marina.
Also be aware of the following wilderness sites currently closed for maintenance: Harney River Chickee, Johnson Key Chickee, Lostman's Five Ground Site, and Sweetwater Chickee.
Check out this list of Frequently Asked Questions.
Click here for a map of Everglades wilderness campsites.
Wilderness Waterway camping, Everglades National Park / NPS-Jane Gamble
