Campground Review: "An odd 'primitive' campground just outside a neighborhood in a great wildlife preserve

There was a bit of confusion as to where these campgrounds actually are as Google maps will take you to Cypress Creek, but the preserve and the campgrounds are actually a bit further North in the Big Cypress Swamp, which has several different tail areas. The northern end has a lot of really nice long hikes and some great paved trails for biking but the campgrounds are hidden away in the South end.

The “main” entrance to the campgrounds is off of Parkway Blvd near Pine View Middle School, and I nice distance away from here and the traffic, however the “campgrounds” themselves are less than ¼ mile from a back entrance which is accessible towards the back and middle of a neighborhood (with no public parking). This actually puts you in really close to where a bunch of walkers, jogs, unruly teenagers enter the preserve. I talked to a loval whom was mountain biking in and he said that he comes through every so often to make sure the local teenagers are over in the area drinking, leaving their trash and starting fires in the area. The campgrounds are completely wide open with a couple different areas for different campers to set up, but there is no real separation dividing them out as it’s really one big large open area with a nice covered pavilion in the center (built in 2003 by Eagle Scout Matt Hardwood of Troop 203). There is an ADA approved toilet (porta’potty) which has definitely seen way better days…seat falling off, door doesn’t close and probably hasn’t been changed out in months. If it wasn’t so open I’d say bring a shovel, although you may still want to…thankfully I had no neighbors that evening. While there is the “toilet”, nice flat area for your tents and a fire pit/grill and table that’s really about it for these campgrounds. So, make sure that you make sure and bring your water with you as there aren’t any faucets around. Remember they are “primitive” and free, so you get what you pay for…

Please, if you do happen to visit, help pack out some of what others have left behind and maybe we can all make this campground end up being a much more enjoyable site.

Gear Review: As a Ranger for The Dyrt I sometimes get the opportunity to test out products and the saving grace for this camping trip was my testing of High Hopes Hammock, Orange and Blue Cocoon Hammock with Straps (Go Gators!!). This is actually my first Hammock and I know, I’m late to the game, but I think it was worth the wait. This Hammock has some pretty neat features that other hammocks are really lacking.

• It has 3 sets of Velcro closures so that you can “cocoon” yourself in!! Unfortunately, not as useful in Florida in the summer, but would be great up north when it’s a little colder so you can really bundle in. Looking forward to trying those out.
• The version I got has easy to use tree straps which have one closer loop to attach around a tree, post, or whatever else you can find which is sturdy enough to hold you up and a bunch of other attachment loops so you can make sure an attach nice and taunt depending on how far you need them to be.
• You also get carabiners with your High Hopes Hammock which most other brands charge extra for…
• You can then undo the carabiners on either end and then lay the “Hammock” out as a blanket
• Definitely the best feature of this hammock is that for every hammock you get the company donates a hammock and/or funds to help combat homelessness around the world. Which is really pretty awesome.

I give the High Hopes Hammock, Orange and Blue Cocoon Hammock with Straps 4/5 stars!