Camping, trails, maps & photo credits — Big Cypress National Preserve
The freshwaters of the Big Cypress Swamp, essential to the health of the neighboring Everglades, support the rich marine estuaries along Florida's southwest coast. Conserving over 729,000 acres of this vast swamp, Big Cypress National Preserve contains a mixture of tropical and temperate plant communities that are home to diverse wildlife, including the Endangered Florida panther.
Camping & reservations
The booking button opens the official provider or park-specific camping instructions published by the NPS. Select the named campground and verify its dates, access and site rules.
Bear Island Campground ↗
Primitive campground with no water. Vault toilets available. Forty designated sites. Access to the Bear Island Campground is at the end of a 20-mile secondary gravel road
Reservations: Reservations may be made on recreation.gov or call 877-444-6777 in advance. Any sites not reserved in advance are available on a first come first serve basis.
Reservations / current camping instructions ↗
RV / truck camping: Please call for more information 239-695-1205 Confirm the exact site and current approach.
Approach: Unpaved Roads - All vehicles OK in good weather.
Midway Campground ↗
This campground offers electric hookups for RV sites, dump station, flush toilets, and water. Each RV campsite has its own picnic table and hibachi style grill. Covered picnic areas are located around the lake for day use.
Reservations: Reservations may be made on recreation.gov or call 877-444-6777 in advance. Any sites not reserved in advance are available on a first come first serve basis.
Reservations / current camping instructions ↗
RV / truck camping: Please contact 239-695-1205 for information NPS lists an RV maximum of 45 feet. Confirm the exact site and current approach.
Approach: Paved Roads - All vehicles OK.
Fires: Campfires must be attended at all times. Small campfires are allowed at designated camping sites. All fires shall be completely extinguished prior to the user leaving the campsite. Only dead wood lying on the ground may be collected as fuel for campfires within the national preserve.
Mitchell's Landing ↗
Primitive camping with no water. Vault toilets are available. Eleven sites available. Access to the Mitchell Landing Campground is along a secondary gravel road.
Reservations: Reservations may be made on recreation.gov or call 877-444-6777 in advance. Any sites not reserved in advance are available on a first come first serve basis.
Reservations / current camping instructions ↗
RV / truck camping: Please contact 239-695-1205 for information NPS lists an RV maximum of 35 feet. Confirm the exact site and current approach.
Approach: Unpaved Roads - All vehicles OK in good weather.
Fires: Campfires must be attended at all times. Small campfires are allowed at designated camping sites. All fires shall be completely extinguished prior to the user leaving the campsite. Only dead wood lying on the ground may be collected as fuel for campfires within the national preserve.
Monument Lake ↗
Monument Lake campground offers restrooms, drinking water and designated 26 RV and 10 tent sites. NO HOOKUPS for electricity, sewer or water are available at this campground.
Reservations: Reservations may be made on recreation.gov or call 877-444-6777 in advance. Any sites not reserved in advance are available on a first come first serve basis.
Reservations / current camping instructions ↗
RV / truck camping: Please contact 239-695-1205 for information Confirm the exact site and current approach.
Approach: Unpaved Roads - All vehicles OK in good weather.
Fires: Campfires must be attended at all times. Small campfires are allowed at designated camping sites. All fires shall be completely extinguished prior to the user leaving the campsite. Only dead wood lying on the ground may be collected as fuel for campfires within the national preserve.
Truck-camping & permitted overnight use
NPS lists RV access at Bear Island Campground. Please call for more information 239-695-1205
Backcountry camping and vehicle camping require park-specific authorization; National Park Service land is not generally open to unrestricted roadside camping. Confirm designated sites, permits and food-storage rules with this unit.
Activities, hiking & trails
Hiking, Backcountry Hiking, Front-Country Hiking. Official activities and trail-planning information ↗
NPS-listed recreation: Arts and Culture, Auto and ATV, ATV Off-Roading, Scenic Driving, Astronomy, Stargazing, Biking, Road Biking, Boating, Boat Tour, Camping, Backcountry Camping, Car or Front Country Camping, Group Camping, RV Camping, Food, Picnicking, Guided Tours, Boat Tour, Hiking, Backcountry Hiking, Front-Country Hiking, Hunting and Gathering, Hunting, Paddling, Canoeing, Kayaking, Junior Ranger Program, Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching, Park Film, Museum Exhibits, Shopping, Bookstore and Park Store.
Maps & road access
Use the official NPS directions and current alerts. Check vehicle restrictions and campground approach roads before traveling.
Big Cypress National Preserve is located along Tamiami Trail East (US 41) and I-75 in southern Florida. The preserve can be accessed by driving from the cities of Miami and Naples. The preserve's two visitor centers are located along Tamiami Trail East. Official directions / site access ↗
Before you travel
Big Cypress National Preserve experiences two predominant seasons- wet and dry. RAINY SEASON (May through October) While visiting during this season you may find daily afternoon thunderstorms, high humidity, temperatures in the mid-to-high 80s and a multitude of mosquitoes. DRY SEASON (November through April) Falling water levels within Big Cypress make this a pleasant time to hike, camp, and watch wildlife.
Source review: 2026-11-01. Conditions, fees, permits and availability can change. National Park Service official information ↗
Photograph sources & licensing
Banner: Depths of the Swamp
Cypress swamps while appearing mysterious, are peaceful and serene.
Credit: NPS Photo. Original source ↗ · Public domain — NPS-created federal work ↗. Resized and cropped to match the profile display framing; original image source linked.
Second large photograph: Small Alligator
Alligators, big and small, call Big Cypress National Preserve home.
Credit: NPS Photo. Original source ↗ · Public domain — NPS-created federal work ↗. Resized and cropped to match the profile display framing; original image source linked.
Photographs are real images of the named unit; no AI-generated photographs are used. Federal photo credit register.