Burns Lake Campground — Big Cypress National Preserve

Burns Lake: This is a fine campground. The only redeeming factor is the lake. RV sites are not that great in my opinion.
(Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good

(71 yr olds in 17’ trailer.)

To Do: The smallest Post Office in the USA is close by. Oasis Visitor Center has gator viewing.
Visit all the nearby boardwalks are worth a visit.
Do a Ranger led wet walk. It is out of this world.
Drive to Shark Valley and take the tram (reservations are best), bicycle the 12 mile loop or walk part of it. The gates open at 9:00 AM for park parking. Fills up, thus slowing entry into the park. However, parking is available along the highway. We parked there, just past the no parking signs. We then walked in at sunrise for enjoyment before the crowds. Some folks were biking at that time as well. Beautiful. Gators began sunning themselves by 9:30AM or so. Drive to Everglade City for a boat ride out to the bay. Fantastic experience. The BCNP Visitor Center can tell you who to contact to make reservations. We went on this trip a couple years ago.
Airboats and swamp buggy rides are popular. We did this as well, but preferred the other activities in the end. However, how can you pass up on a fun airboat experience. Unlike the Everglades the full campsite discount for seniors is offered here.

Overall Rating: 3 - not picturesque . One of our least favorites. Others we have talked to love this campground. Price 2023: $ 12 w interagency pass Security: Must drive be host site. Usage during visit: Full Site Privacy: None Site Spacing: Close as Monument and Midway Site surface: Grass Reservations: Required Campground Noise: Quiet during our visit Road Noise: Less than Midway and Monument
Through Traffic in campground: None Electric Hookup: No Sewer Hookup: No Dump Station: At Midway Potable: Water Not available. Fill up at Midway. Generators: Allowed Bathroom: Pit toilet Showers: At Monument Pull Throughs: all Cell Service (AT&T): 1 Bar Setting: Around Burns Lake. Lake view from all sites. Recent Weather: Unusually wet winter Solar: Solar will be great in the RV sites.
Host: Yes Rig Size: Largest is fine in RV sites.
Sites: None of the sites really appeal to me. Other people I have met love it here. #10 is the best RV site. Id rather be in the tent only area. It is nicer than Monument and Midway tent only sites. Campers and vans use these sites, I noticed.

This campsite was as expected. Was it my favorite ever? No. But it gets 5 stars for being exactly as depicted on the recreation.gov site. The tent camp sites were far enough apart that you didn't feel like you were overlapping with your neighbor and far enough from the main road that road noise is not an issue. Our site easily held 2 cars, a 4 person tent, and a 2 person tent with room to spare. Each site has a campfire pit and a picnic table. There are bear cabinets around to put your food in overnight if you don't want to leave it in your car. This is not just for bears, but panthers and hungry raccoons too. Even during the dry season, the ground was quite damp so I was happy to have a good footprint for our tent. I would make sure to prep for this by bringing water resistant shoes next time. The campfire area has a grill attachment so if you are just doing burgers and hotdogs, I wouldn't fret too much about cooking utensils; just get the fire going first to sanitize the grill. Bring your own firewood. We were able to scrounge for some, but I wouldn't depend on that. There is a bathroom (hole in the ground with a toilet on top); totally fine, but I would advise to bring extra TP just in case it hasn't been restocked. There are RV sites on the other side of the lake; I appreciated that they were separate as we didn't have to be right next to all the generators. The only negative thing was some jerk who was speeding around the loop road in their Jeep, kicking up dust and dangerously drifting the corners; I didn't feel safe walking along the road to the bathroom. But that is an issue with an inconsiderate camper and not the NPS.

This is a small, primitive campground offering access to a number of backcountry trails. If you're bringing a swamp buggy or ATV, you'll need to be sure to complete the required training and obtain your permits. There were a few swamp buggies heading to the trail when i was there. Following a large rainstorm, there was some puddling on the RV pull-through sites. The back side of the campground was drier and quieter. Access to the trails is at the far end of the pond, so ORVs will be coming past your site either on their way in or out. 

Insects are somewhat more tolerable in the dry season (Jan-Apr), but but expect them anyway! The only facilities here are vault toilets. Be sure to bring plenty of water and stock up on supplies before you get into the Preserve! 

You may be visited by gators or panthers, so there are food boxes available. Ample opportunity for birdwatching and looking for alligators throughout the preserve. You're also not far from the Everglades.

You may stay 10 days Jan -Apr; 14 days the rest of the year. If you have a senior or access pass, your fees are discounted 50%.