Lopez River Wilderness Campground — Everglades National Park

This site is a ground site tucked into the mangroves and vegetation along the Lopez River. It is an easy paddle to navigate from Chokoloskee (~6miles) or from the Everglades Gulf Coast Center (~9miles). Even on a cool, breezy evening, you will be swarmed by mosquitos a no-see-ums. Pack a tent that you don't mine hanging out in and bring cards/books to pass the time as there are certain hours you will not want to be outside. Even though it was ground camping, no fires are allowed. There is a porta-potty which was quite clean. While I am happy we did this camping trip, next time I'll paddle the extra mile or so to the Crooked Creek Chickee. This site does allow for 3 groups with a total of 12 people, however, there are only really 2 sites each with a picnic table. Packing in another group would have been uncomfortable, especially in COVID times. The porta-potty is in the more eastern site, so the other party has to walk through the campsite to use it. We fit in a 4 person tent, a 2 person tent, and 3 hammocks into the eastern site; likely only room for another small tent. The western side may fit 2 small tents at best. We paddled back via the northern route through the mangrove creeks, and while the navigation was a little more difficult, there was far more wildlife and much more relaxing. You must check the tides before doing this paddle!