9 Quiet Camping Hideaways In Florida’s Everglades
Picture yourself waking up to the sound of wading birds calling across still waters, surrounded by sawgrass prairies stretching toward endless horizons.
The Everglades isn’t just a national park—it’s a living, breathing wilderness where camping feels like stepping into another world.
Whether you’re paddling through mangrove tunnels or watching alligators glide past your tent, these hidden camping spots offer something truly special.
Let me take you through some of the most peaceful places to pitch your tent or hang your hammock in this incredible ecosystem.
1. Flamingo Campground
At the very southern tip of the mainland, Flamingo offers front-row seats to where freshwater meets saltwater in spectacular fashion.
Campers here wake to stunning sunrises over Florida Bay, with pink skies reflecting off calm waters.
The 234 sites accommodate everything from backpackers to big RVs, though amenities stay purposefully simple to preserve that wilderness feeling.
Fishing enthusiasts love casting lines right from shore, while kayakers explore nearby mangrove mazes teeming with life.
Mosquitoes can be fierce during summer, so winter camping brings the best experience for most visitors.
2. Long Pine Key Campground
Nestled among slash pines and tropical hardwoods, this campground sits on higher ground that feels worlds away from the typical swampy Everglades image.
You’ll find 108 drive-in sites perfect for tents and RVs, with restrooms and drinking water nearby.
The location puts you close to hiking trails where you might spot white-tailed deer browsing at dawn.
Cool breezes filter through the canopy, making evenings surprisingly comfortable even in warmer months.
Rangers lead campfire programs that teach you about the park’s unique geology and wildlife, turning your stay into an educational adventure worth remembering.
3. Hell’s Bay Chickee
Ever slept on a platform floating above alligator-filled waters? This elevated chickee makes that dream a reality for adventurous paddlers willing to work for solitude.
Hell’s Bay earned its name honestly—the maze of mangrove channels tests even experienced kayakers’ navigation skills.
But reaching this platform rewards you with unmatched privacy and nighttime symphony of frogs, fish jumping, and mysterious rustlings.
Bring everything you need because there’s absolutely nothing out here except you, nature, and memories being made.
The sunset views across the sawgrass prairie will leave you speechless.
4. Sweetwater Chickee
Floating beneath star-filled skies on this two-person platform creates camping memories unlike anything you’ve experienced before.
Sweetwater sits in more open water than Hell’s Bay, making the paddle journey slightly less challenging while still feeling wonderfully remote.
You’ll share space with wading birds hunting shallow flats and maybe curious dolphins passing through brackish channels.
Pack light but smart—everything from food to waste must come and go with you.
The 360-degree water views mean spectacular photography opportunities, especially when morning mist rises off the glassy surface around your temporary home.
5. North River Chickee
Positioned along tidal rivers where mangrove roots create natural sculptures, this chickee offers prime wildlife watching from your sleeping bag.
Manatees sometimes cruise past during winter months, their gentle breathing audible in the quiet night.
The platform accommodates two parties, though you’ll likely have it to yourself during weekdays outside peak season.
Tidal currents require careful trip planning—paddling against strong flows exhausts even fit kayakers quickly.
But timing it right means effortless gliding through tunnel-like mangrove passages that feel like nature’s cathedral, with filtered sunlight creating magical patterns on dark water below.
6. Pearl Bay Chickee
Wide-open bay waters surround this platform, creating a sense of being truly adrift in wilderness vastness.
Unlike more sheltered chickees, Pearl Bay exposes you to winds that keep mosquitoes manageable while providing natural air conditioning.
The downside? Choppy conditions can make paddling here challenging when weather turns unfriendly.
Experienced paddlers appreciate the direct routes and fewer navigational puzzles compared to mangrove mazes elsewhere.
Stargazing here rivals anywhere in Florida—zero light pollution means the Milky Way stretches overhead in breathtaking clarity, making sleepless hours feel like gifts rather than annoyances.
7. Darwin’s Place Wilderness Campsite
Ground camping returns at this backcountry site perched on a coastal hammock where solid earth feels luxurious after paddling miles through waterways.
Darwin’s Place accommodates up to eight campers, making it perfect for small groups seeking shared adventure.
Trees provide welcome shade and windbreak, plus convenient spots to hang food away from raccoons that absolutely will investigate your supplies.
The location offers easy access to both bay and inland paddling routes, letting you explore different ecosystems during a multi-day trip.
Morning bird songs here create a natural alarm clock that’s surprisingly pleasant.
8. Bear Island Campground
Don’t let the name fool you—black bears rarely appear, but this primitive campground in Big Cypress National Preserve delivers authentic wilderness vibes.
Ten sites scatter across pine flatwoods where you’ll truly disconnect from modern life’s constant buzz.
No water, no electricity, no facilities beyond a vault toilet—just you and nature having an honest conversation.
The area offers excellent wildlife watching, from wild turkeys strutting through camp to occasional Florida panthers leaving tracks overnight.
Hunters share the preserve during season, so wearing bright colors while hiking makes good sense year-round.
9. Mitchell Landing Campground
Positioned along Turner River, this primitive spot serves paddlers launching multi-day canoe trips through Big Cypress’s watery wilderness.
Five sites provide basic camping under cypress canopy where Spanish moss drapes like natural curtains.
The river access makes loading boats convenient, while nearby Loop Road offers wildlife drives that frequently produce amazing animal sightings.
Alligators sun themselves along riverbanks, seemingly unbothered by human visitors respecting their space.
Winter dry season concentrates fish in remaining pools, attracting wading birds in numbers that transform the landscape into a wildlife photographer’s paradise worth documenting thoroughly.