1 campground with availability this weekend
Trail Lakes Campground houses upscale glamping accommodations near Big Cypress National Preserve, including charming yurts and safari-style canvas glamping tents that elevate the outdoor experience. The campground features electric hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings at each site, with full bathroom facilities including hot showers nearby. Other amenities include on-site firewood delivery and a unique Skunk Ape Research Center with reptile exhibits that campers can visit for free. The property offers a mix of natural Florida wilderness with comfortable accommodations, set on spacious sites with ample privacy. A recent visitor noted, "We slept in my hammock for 2 days while my buddy was in the cabin. Quiet area. Beautiful stars at night."
The natural setting provides exceptional stargazing opportunities thanks to minimal light pollution, with several reviewers highlighting the brilliant night skies visible from their accommodations. Guests can explore the surrounding Everglades ecosystem through kayak rentals available on-site or by taking nearby airboat tours that showcase the region's diverse wildlife. The campground is positioned 15 minutes from Everglades City and approximately 25 minutes from Collier-Seminole State Park, making it an ideal base for exploring South Florida's natural attractions. According to one camper, "The scenery is very nice and the staff are helpful. It is expensive, but the sites can accommodate up to 3 tents. The scenery is very nice and the staff are helpful, would go again." Winter visitors particularly appreciate the comfortable temperatures and reduced insects compared to summer months.
"Great spot, secluded in nature. Instantly felt peaceful and happy upon arrival. Excited to be here for 2 days!! Update after the trip: loved this campground."
"There are tent sites, cabins, and Chickee huts to rent as well. We were guided to a pull thru site. This was a first for us and we were thrilled. Our site was directly across from the bath house."
from $45 - $225 / night
"Not many states can offer year-round camping along lakes, rivers, oceans, swamps, undulating terrain to pancake flat, grasslands, sugar sand to elevated chickee huts."
"We stayed in a campervan and upon arrival saw 4 campsites packed together a d the entire field was open which had many other campsites. We drove into camp site 20 instead of our reserved site 2."
from $9 / night
"Beautiful area all around but nothing fancy. Its a short drive to downtown Naples and Naples Pier/Beach which I highly recommend. Great friendly staff and campers."
"Nice folks and staff."
TravelerAwesome offloading in sugar sand. Camping spot was remote and did run into a few equestrian friends. Saw lots of deer and owls. Primitive camping.
LegendThis campground is all about the location! Chickees, Cabins, Tent, and RV sites (even room for large RVs). This is a fantastic location to serve as a home base when exploring Big Cypress and the Everglades NP. You will be in the middle of everything! They offer guided trips, or you can book from the many other businesses in the area offering swamp buggy, airboat, hiking, tram, fishing, and paddling/boat trips. There is a full grocery store, bars, eateries, attractions, and more in the nearby Everglades City. Check nearby events, as there is always something special going on, from Pow Wows to Seafood Festivals. You may find the price a bit high, but worth it for the dark skies and wide open feel of being immersed in the Everglades. You will find that the sites are clean and spacious. Fire rings and firewood are available, as well as laundry. Late check-in from 5-9. This is an older campground, so don't expect new facilities, but the bathrooms are clean and maintained. Very convenient to Clyde Butchers Gallery, Oasis Visitors Center, Everglades City, World's Smallest Post Office, Ted Small Wood Store, Flamingo/Shark Valley, and more! Notices of Local events can be found here https://www.facebook.com/ochopee/
GuideA perfect primitive spot with a great location. Kind campground host and spacious spots. It is very open and you will see a lot of your neighbors, but that isn’t too much of a worry as many folks are here for hunting. It’s quiet in the evenings and makes for a great sunset spot.
TravelerRemote location, but not in a bad way easy to get to and from other large cities Great scenery in the campground clean awesome sites big ! $65 a night. Have wood and fire rings available. Fishing, bathhouses, new coin op laundry $2.00 wash & $2.00 to dry 4 total machines. Will be back next year ! Nice owner & camp host ! Skunk Ape Research Center at front of campground is the check in til 5pm then the shack on the right past the gate is open 5pm/9pm.
GuideThis was my 2nd visit to the park. At 50 bucks for a tent site, it isn't cheap, but the sites can accommodate up to 3 tents. The scenery is very nice and the staff are helpful, would go again.
GuideThe campground was beautiful and the sites were somewhat spread out or had vegetation separating the sites. The guys in the shop were great to work with and very friendly
GuideExactly as described. The host was great and helpful. Porta potties available, but no drinkable water. Dusty. Bugs weren’t terrible at all. Fishing in the canals is excellent.
ScoutVery open quiet spot. Nice and helpful camp host. Beautiful scenery.
GuideDoing a 2 day weekend camping trip. The campground itself is pretty well maintained with decent albeit rather run down facilities. There are shaded spots available for tents and expansive views of the everglades. Temperatures have been perfect. It is expensive, at $45./night for a tent spot they are really pushing the envelope price wise but it's a worthwhile visit.
Trail Lakes Campground sits on the edge of Big Cypress National Preserve in South Florida's Everglades ecosystem. The campground serves as a strategic base for exploring this unique wilderness at 10 feet above sea level. Winter visitors benefit from temperatures averaging 70°F during the day with significantly reduced insect activity compared to the summer wet season.
Wildlife viewing trips: $30-65 Kayak rentals at Trail Lakes Campground allow guests to explore the surrounding waterways independently. "You can explore the surrounding Everglades ecosystem through kayak rentals available on-site or by taking nearby airboat tours that showcase the region's diverse wildlife," one camper noted. The campground's location provides excellent access to numerous wildlife viewing opportunities.
Fishing in canals: Free with license. The canals around Horseshoe Primitive Campground offer productive fishing spots. "Fishing in the canals is excellent," shares camper Paul W. The campground provides access to multiple waterways where anglers can try their luck throughout the year.
Star gazing: No cost. The dark skies above Picayune Strand State Forest create ideal conditions for night sky viewing. "You will find the price a bit high, but worth it for the dark skies and wide open feel of being immersed in the Everglades," explains reviewer Jeanene A. The minimal light pollution makes constellation identification relatively easy even without specialized equipment.
Spacious sites: 150+ square feet per site. Campsites at Trail Lakes Campground offer ample room between neighbors. "The sites are clean and spacious. Fire rings and firewood are available, as well as laundry," notes Jeanene A. The layout allows for privacy despite the campground often being at capacity during peak season.
Unique wildlife encounters: The Skunk Ape Research Center at the front of the campground features reptile exhibits that campers can visit. "It's the Skunkape Headquarters! They have a reptile exhibit which you can visit for free if you're staying here. Safe, clean & friendly," reports Lorraine. This unusual attraction adds a distinctive element to glamping close to Big Cypress National Preserve.
Access to local culture: Endless Summer RV Park provides easy access to Naples attractions. "It's a short drive to downtown Naples and Naples Pier/Beach which I highly recommend," shares Coral W. This allows campers to mix wilderness experiences with urban amenities during their stay.
Winter is prime season: November-April. The cooler months bring comfortable temperatures and fewer insects. "We are in November now and the weather is in the 70s during the day and 60s at night so the mosquitoes are not bad, but they are still present. Having a bottle of bug spray and maybe a fogger will do just fine in this weather," advises Victoria S. from Trail Lakes Campground.
Primitive options require preparation: Horseshoe Campground has minimal facilities. "No potable water (bring all the water you need). No Electricity. No Showers. No waste receptacles (Carry out what you bring in)," explains Dave V. Campers need to bring all supplies for their stay.
Seasonal flooding affects accessibility: Some areas flood during the summer rainy season. "This land is all part of the Everglade watershed and is under a few feet of water every year from June through November, once the rainy season begins June 1," notes one camper about the Picayune Strand area.
Animal exhibits: Interactive options. The reptile displays at Trail Lakes provide educational opportunities. "We held a baby alligator and saw the adults up close. The caretaker was refreshingly knowledgeable and caring," shares Laura K., making this a good stop for families exploring upscale glamping near Big Cypress National Preserve.
Cabin alternatives: $65-85 per night. Horseshoe Primitive Campground offers screened chickee huts as alternatives to tents. "The campground is built in several loops around a couple of lakes and has space for RV's and tents. If also offers cabins and some screened in open air huts (which I didn't stay in but they looked really cool)," notes Stephanie Z.
Local attractions: Within 25 minutes. Trail Lakes Campground provides convenient access to regional points of interest. "Very convenient to Clyde Butchers Gallery, Oasis Visitors Center, Everglades City, World's Smallest Post Office, Ted Small Wood Store, Flamingo/Shark Valley, and more," explains Jeanene A.
Late check-in available: Until 9pm. Trail Lakes accommodates evening arrivals. "The latest time you can check in is 9:00 pm and check out time is lax so we weren't told a specific time," notes Victoria S. This flexibility helps travelers dealing with unexpected delays.
Pull-through sites available: Some campsites offer easier access for larger rigs. "We were guided to a pull thru site. This was a first for us and we were thrilled. Our site was directly across from the bath house. We had no trouble leveling our trailer and getting set up," reports Michelle S.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Big Cypress National Preserve?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Big Cypress National Preserve is Trail Lakes Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 13 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Big Cypress National Preserve?
TheDyrt.com has all 3 glamping camping locations near Big Cypress National Preserve, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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