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Established Camping

Gator Head Campground — Big Cypress National Preserve

Gator Head Campground, near Ochopee, Florida, is a unique spot tucked away in the Big Cypress National Preserve. This place is all about embracing the wild, with primitive camping that lets you truly connect with nature.

The campground offers a handful of sites surrounded by lush palms and plenty of shade, perfect for those hot Florida days. Visitors have noted that the vault toilets are clean, but you’ll need to come prepared since there are no showers or water hookups. As one camper mentioned, “These are primitive sites with vault toilets, so bring what you need!”

For adventure seekers, the area is a gateway to off-road trails, but make sure you have the necessary permits. Wildlife is abundant here, with sightings of deer, black bears, and alligators reported nearby. Just remember, while you might not see them right at your campsite, they’re definitely around!

If you’re looking for a quiet escape, Gator Head Campground is a solid choice. It’s a bit of a trek to get there, but once you arrive, you’ll find a peaceful retreat away from the hustle and bustle. Whether you’re pitching a tent or parking your RV, this campground offers a true taste of Florida’s wilderness.

Description

State Park

Big Cypress National Preserve

Overview

Gator Head Campground is a primitive campground located within the Bear Island Unit of Big Cypress National Preserve. (THIS CAMPGROUND CAN ONLY BE ACCESSED WITH AN ORV PERMIT, FOOT, OR BICYCLE) THE GATE COMBO WILL ONLY BE GIVEN IF YOU HAVE THE PROPER ORV PERMIT AT THE PERMITING OFFICE. All ORVs must have a valid ORV permit . All campers must also carry a Backcountry permit . Cell phone service is limited and it is highly encouraged that reservations be made in advance.__

Recreation

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. Protecting over 720,000 acres of this vast swamp, Big Cypress National Preserve contains a mixture of tropical and temperate plant communities that are home to a diversity of wildlife, including the elusive Florida Panther. Gator Head Campground offers visitors a wonderful opportunity to camp at a designated campground in the Big Cypress backcountry. Visitors can enjoy nearby hiking, hunting, fishing, and off-road vehicle (ORV) trails with a permitted off-road vehicle. For more information on ORV use, please call 239-631-9988 or review park Off Road Vehicle Use information. Hunting and fishing regulations can be found at Florida Fish and Wildfire Conservation Commission.__

Facilities

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. Protecting over 720,000 acres of this vast swamp, Big Cypress National Preserve contains a mixture of tropical and temperate plant communities that are home to a diversity of wildlife, including the elusive Florida Panther. Gator Head Campground offers visitors a wonderful opportunity to camp at a designated campground in the Big Cypress backcountry. Visitors can enjoy nearby hiking, hunting, fishing, and off-road vehicle (ORV) trails with a permitted off-road vehicle. For more information on ORV use, please call 239-631-9988 or review park Off Road Vehicle Use information. Hunting and fishing regulations can be found at Florida Fish and Wildfire Conservation Commission.__

Natural Features

Gator Head Campground has 9 campsites. This campground offers pickup camper and tent camping only. No trailers or RV's are allowed in the backcountry. Amenities include vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings. Visitors may enjoy nearby activities such as off-road vehicle trails, hiking, biking, fishing, and hunting.

contact_info

For facility specific information, please call (239) 631-9988.

Nearby Attractions

The Bear Island Unit offers 20 plus miles of backcountry trails. Everglades City is located 30 miles south and provides dining, sight-seeing, and historical sites. Everglades National Park can also be accessed via Everglades City. Nathaniel P. Reed Visitor Center is also located 30 miles to the south.

Fee Info

Fees are $10 per site all reservations must be made on Rec.gov

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Location

Gator Head Campground — Big Cypress National Preserve is located in Florida

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Naples: Head east on HWY 41 turn left on Turner River Rd, then go approx 20 miles up the dirt road until you come to a check station then turn left. YOU MUST HAVE AN ORV PERMIT AND GATE COMBO TO ACCESS THIS CAMPGROUND. Once in the gate you will come to a T intersection where you will then turn right and follow the trail until you come to the campground on the left.__ From Miami: You will head west then same directions as above.__

Address

Turner River Road
Ochopee, FL 34141

Coordinates

26.2238 N
81.2678 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Good
  • Verizon
    Good
  • AT&T
    Good
  • T-Mobile
    Good

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Toilets

Reviews

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6 Reviews

Reviewed Apr. 1, 2020

Grassy lots among the palms in wilderness area

I was here in January and there were very few campers. Sites are level with varying degrees of shade from the palms.

These are primitive sites with vault toilets, so bring what you need! There are food storage boxes available. There's access to off-road trails from this area if you have a vehicle and the necessary permits. Hunting and birdwatching are just a couple of the activities in the area.

  • Review photo of Gator Head Campground — Big Cypress National Preserve by Jean C., April 1, 2020
  • Review photo of Gator Head Campground — Big Cypress National Preserve by Jean C., April 1, 2020
  • Review photo of Gator Head Campground — Big Cypress National Preserve by Jean C., April 1, 2020
  • (81) View All
Reviewed Mar. 28, 2020

Remote enough to fill the wilderness

The camp at Bear island is has a good location to camp with tents and rvs with clean bathrooms with toilets no showers no electrical or water for rvs. Even though it looks close off 75W you have to go through the loop to actually get to the camp ground. There is a mix of campsites raging from a loop to a straight road with camp sites on each side. Wildlife includes white tail dear, black bears and alligators. Non were present near the camp site but we saw them on our way back on the preserve grounds.

  • Review photo of Gator Head Campground — Big Cypress National Preserve by Dave C., March 28, 2020
  • Review photo of Gator Head Campground — Big Cypress National Preserve by Dave C., March 28, 2020
  • Review photo of Gator Head Campground — Big Cypress National Preserve by Dave C., March 28, 2020
  • (14) View All
Reviewed Nov. 22, 2019

Nice camp

You will spend about hour to get there from alligator highway, despite it close location (you need make a loop). 

camp by itself is very nice and quiet. it also has two locked entrances to special off-road  trails (ORV permit required).

Reviewed Jul. 29, 2016

Primitive camping in the swamp

Campground itself has few amenities, vault toilets among them. Be prepared for mosquitoes, but you knew that. Lots of shade in some sites from pine trees, and a decent distance from closest water.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How hard is it to get a campsite at Gator Head Campground — Big Cypress National Preserve?

    Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Gator Head Campground — Big Cypress National Preserve. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Gator Head Campground — Big Cypress National Preserve, try setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts

  • Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Gator Head Campground — Big Cypress National Preserve?

    There are 9 campsites at Gator Head Campground — Big Cypress National Preserve and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts