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Best Tent Camping near Biscayne National Park

203 Reviews

Tent camping near Biscayne National Park offers primarily boat-in access to isolated island campsites at Elliott Key and Boca Chita Key. These tent-only sites provide a unique maritime camping experience, with most requiring watercraft to reach the campgrounds. Both islands are only accessible by private boat, kayak, or canoe, as there are no bridges connecting them to the mainland. The surrounding Everglades National Park also offers backcountry chickee platforms for primitive tent camping, such as Hells Bay Chickee and Pearl Bay Chickee, providing additional options for adventurous campers seeking waterfront sites.

Tent campers should prepare for primitive conditions with limited facilities. Most sites have composting toilets but no drinking water, showers, or trash disposal. Campers must bring all necessary supplies, including potable water, and pack out all garbage. Fires are not permitted at the Biscayne National Park campsites, so portable camping stoves are essential for cooking. Alcohol is permitted at most sites, and pets are allowed at Elliott Key and Boca Chita Key campgrounds, though not at many of the Everglades chickee platforms. Weather conditions can change rapidly, with strong winds developing quickly across open water.

The tent sites offer unparalleled access to marine environments and activities. Swimming, snorkeling, fishing, and kayaking are popular daytime pursuits from these campsites. Boca Chita Key features a historic lighthouse and offers views of the Miami skyline across the water. Several campers note the importance of bug preparation, especially after sunset. A visitor commented that "mosquitos are awful right after sunset, but a strong north wind came in which blew them away." The chickee platforms in the Everglades provide a particularly unique tent camping experience, with platforms built over water. These sites are ideal for experienced paddlers seeking solitude, with another camper noting, "Nobody else for miles. Wind kept bugs blown away." Wildlife viewing opportunities include dolphins, sharks, various fish species, and numerous birds.

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Best Tent Sites Near Biscayne National Park (12)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Biscayne National Park

13 Photos of 12 Biscayne National Park Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Biscayne National Park

203 Reviews of 12 Biscayne National Park Campgrounds

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 28, 2020

    Mitchell Landing Campground — Big Cypress National Preserve

    Primitive Campground in a National Preserve

    This is a primitive campground off the loop road south of Tamiami trail through Big Cypress National Preserve. The first couple of sites have large parking pads for campgrounds hosts that were unoccupied when I was there.  Sites are first-come, first served and you'll have a choice of sites that are tucked away behind brush and trees or large, more open sites. There's no drinking water available. There are vault toilets available that were clean. Few of the sites were occupied in late January. At the back of the campground there is airboat access to backcountry trails in the Stairsteps section of the Big Cypress Preservel elsewhere along the loop road you may be able to use swamp buggies and ATVs. There are extensive rules and permitting to take your vehicle on these trails as well as online training requirements, so check them out on the Big Cypress website. 

    Sites are $24/night, half price if you have a Senior pass or Access pass, though to be honest I didn't see any envelopes for payments and the campers I spoke with indicated they weren't paying anything. You can stay 10 nights during peak season (Jan-Apr), 14 consecutive nights the rest of the year. They  have picnic tables (look at the end of the table for the site number), fire rings, and lantern poles. Bearboxes provide food protection if you don't have a hardsided vehicle. You're in a panther habitat.

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 29, 2020

    Pinecrest Group Campground — Big Cypress National Preserve

    Large clearing for group camping

    The only indication that you have reached the turn off for Pinecrest group campground is the brown tent sign. The sign for the campground itself is parallel to the road, so you won't see it until you are upon it. You'll need to reserve a campsite online in advance. Otherwise the gate to the campground is locked. Each of the 4 sites can accommodate 15 campers/8 tents as they are paired in such a way that sites 1&2 are together and 3&4 occupy a separate corner, perfect if you're group requires two sites.. Each site has a picnic table, fire ring, and half of a bear box; extra tables were gathered in the center. There are vault toilets, but no running water. Plenty to do in the area...fishing, birding, boating, hinting. Explore the preserve or neighboring Everglades. It's off the gravel loop road south of Tamiami Trail Rd.

  • Sara B.
    Jan. 10, 2021

    Long Pine Key Campground — Everglades National Park

    FORGET IT

    DYRT IS WRONG, NO ELECTRIC AT ANY SITE and NO WATER AT SITES. If you are dry camping, go for it, IF your reservation exists when you arrive!  We booked a site, arrived and they did not have any record of our reservation.

    The showers are solar and only hot in the middle of the day.  Forget a shower at night if you get in late.   NO Generators after 8 PM.

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 27, 2020

    Boca Chita Key — Biscayne National Park

    You'll need a boat, but it's gorgeous

    This small island in Biscayne National Park offers a distant view of the Miami skyline, gorgeous aqua water for swimming, snorkeling, boating and fishing. A small lighthouse stands above the protected harbor. There's a small trail around the wooded end of the island. 

    You can stay on your boat or pitch a tent on the island. There are spots along the shore and if it's full, you can pitch a tent on the grassy field. The back of the island has a small beach for swimming.  It's $25/night to camp for up to 6 people with an additional charge if you have more in your group. Pay the iron ranger.

    Between generators and music, it's not a quiet island. Tour boats from the park bring crowds a couple of times a time.

    There are flush toilets and the odor is so strong you won't linger! Bring potable water. 

    There are picnic tables and grills available.

  • Lindsay B.
    Jun. 18, 2015

    Elliott Key — Biscayne National Park

    A Water Wonderland

    Biscayne National Park is almost entirely water. Enjoy snorkeling, kayaking, and everything water. A boat is needed to reach these campgrounds and are tent only. No reservations.

  • Katrin M.
    Feb. 16, 2023

    Long Pine Key Campground — Everglades National Park

    Quiet campground in the Everglades

    We camped here for 4 days with our dogs. The campground is in the Everglades National Park, so you have to pay an extra $30 for up to 7 days. Long Pine Key has spacious campsites with a picnic bench and a firepit but no electricity. The check in at the front provides firewood and ice. The showers (only cold water) are separate from the bathrooms. The were large but older. The toilets were very clean but very narrow. There is also a lake in the middle of the campground. Swimming is prohibited but it has a few walking trails around it. There were no "no dog signs", so we took them there for a nice walk. Be aware of wildlife - we saw a beautiful cottonmouth. It is about a 10min drive to the Anhinga trail. It is beautiful there. You can see alligators, turtles, birds, and fish. Unfortunately it is very hard to find spots to take your dogs. If you want to visit Biscayne National Park, it is about a 40 min drive. Don't forget bug spray and sunscreen!

  • neveraroadmap M.
    Feb. 7, 2022

    Key Largo Kampground & Marina

    Tent sites, eh, for the money.

    This cost $85 a night and really old picnic tables, right next to your neighbors, old showers, wasn’t given the wifi password, but smack dab in Key Largo. The RV sites are awesome, but that’s not me, lol. I got a site as a walk-in same night. Also everything is relative, if you’ve been using vault toilets it’s amazing to have a flush toilet, but these are a bit rough for $85.

  • paul W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 8, 2023

    Mitchell Landing Campground — Big Cypress National Preserve

    Loved this place

    I was the only one camping. Loved it. Saw a bobcat and a billion alligators. The best fresh water fishing around is close to this campground. No water. Clean vault. Great hosts, very knowledgeable about the area, Brent and Tim. Beautiful country. Fire ban has been in effect in Big Cypress. End of the campground there is an airboat launch that was cool to watch. Did I mention fishing❓‼️ Peacock bass galore. Largemouth,warmouth, bowfin, gar and many imports. Hope you enjoy this area as much as I did

Guide to Biscayne National Park

Tent camping near Biscayne National Park in Florida offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the stunning natural beauty of the area, with access to pristine waters and diverse wildlife.

Tent campers should check out Elliott Key

  • Enjoy a boat-in experience at Elliott Key — Biscayne National Park, where you can set up your tent and explore the surrounding waters by kayak.
  • This site allows pets, making it a great choice for those who want to bring their furry friends along for the adventure.
  • While there are no electric hookups or showers, the beautiful views and wildlife make it a memorable camping spot.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities at Boca Chita Key

  • Boca Chita Key — Biscayne National Park features grills and flush toilets, providing some comfort while you enjoy the great outdoors.
  • The campground offers stunning waterfront views and a small beach area for swimming, perfect for cooling off after a day of activities.
  • With picnic tables available, it’s an ideal spot for enjoying meals with friends or family while soaking in the scenic surroundings.

Explore the backcountry at Hells Bay Chickee

  • For a more adventurous experience, consider camping at Backcountry Hells Bay Chickee — Everglades National Park, where you can paddle to your tent site and enjoy the tranquility of the Everglades.
  • This site is well-reviewed for its stable structure and proximity to wildlife, making it a great choice for nature enthusiasts.
  • Although it lacks some amenities, the unique experience of staying on a chickee platform over the water is unforgettable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Biscayne National Park?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Biscayne National Park is Elliott Key — Biscayne National Park with a 4-star rating from 4 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Biscayne National Park?

TheDyrt.com has all 12 tent camping locations near Biscayne National Park, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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