The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Tent Camping near Cutler Bay, FL

280 Reviews

Tent camping near Cutler Bay, Florida primarily consists of boat-in or hike-in experiences at the neighboring national parks. Biscayne National Park offers tent camping on Elliott Key and Boca Chita Key, accessible only by boat and providing primitive tent sites with minimal amenities. The Everglades National Park, located west of Cutler Bay, features numerous backcountry tent sites including chickee platforms (elevated camping structures) at Pearl Bay, Hells Bay, Lane Bay, and Shark Point, along with ground-based wilderness campsites at Canepatch and Frog Hammock.

Most backcountry tent sites require permits, with campgrounds like those in Everglades National Park charging a $15 processing fee plus $2 per person. The chickee platforms provide a unique tent camping experience directly over water, offering protection from ground moisture but exposing campers to wind. Toilet facilities vary by location - Biscayne's Elliott Key has flush toilets, while most chickees feature basic porta-potties with no showers or running water. A camper noted, "The porta-potty was clean, and the mosquitos were very bad as expected. Make sure you're in your tent come sunset and you'll be okay." All sites require bringing potable water and packing out trash.

Tent sites on Boca Chita Key include shoreline spots and a grassy field area with picnic tables and grills available. The lack of freshwater sources is a consistent challenge across all tent locations. In the Everglades, campers access backcountry sites primarily via kayak or canoe through marked water trails. A recent review described one experience: "The paddle was relatively easy; we had a moderate headwind at one part which may have been more difficult for less experienced paddlers." Wildlife viewing opportunities abound from these primitive tent locations, with campers reporting dolphins, sharks, various birds, and fish. Most camping areas are most comfortable during winter months, as summer brings intense heat and significant insect pressure.

Map showing campgrounds near Cutler Bay, FloridaExplore the Map

Best Tent Sites Near Cutler Bay, Florida (19)

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 19 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Cutler Bay Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Tent Camping Photos near Cutler Bay, FL

17 Photos of 19 Cutler Bay Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Cutler Bay, FL

280 Reviews of 19 Cutler Bay 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.

  • Katie M.
    Aug. 24, 2021

    Flamingo Campground — Everglades National Park

    Eco Tents 😍

    Down at Flamingo, there’s four types of camping: eco tents, tents (A Loop), campers/ RVs (T Loop) and the backcountry chickees. This review is for the ✨eco tents✨.

    The eco tents are awesome in general, but more so if you’re new to camping. Some come fully furnished with beds, nightstands, etc, while others are completely unfurnished and you can set up your own gear, so you choose your level of comfort. They also come with electric fans.

    It’s incredibly quiet down there and the full moons are outta this world - no pun intended! 😉 Waking up and drinking your coffee on the shore of Florida Bay is a great way to start the day.

    But there is no food allowed in the tents whatsoever. Because the walkways to and the platforms of the eco tents are elevated, there’s also no way to cook even near your eco tent. There are fire rings and picnic tables near the parking area, which is also where the bathrooms are. So if you’re someone who wakes often in the middle of the night for “bio breaks”, you might want to keep that walk in mind - or plan for an alternative.

    There are bathrooms with running (non potable) water and toilets with real plumbing, but no showers.

    I’d definitely recommend the eco tents for a short stay!

  • 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.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 21, 2025

    Flamingo Campground

    Very Clean but Costly

    Large paved pads on huge site. We were in electric site number 1 which included shade trees. No water at the sites but potable water and dump facilities are provided. There is no Verizon or T-Mobile service. There is Wi-Fi available in the Marina store area. The campground is very clean. (Lots of mosquitos even in January).

  • Liz M.
    Mar. 22, 2021

    Midway Campground — Big Cypress National Preserve

    Good for families/groups; lots of road noise

    This site was beautiful and well kept. The gentleman (park ranger?) who greeted everyone and made sure the rules were followed was very nice and answered all of our questions. I appreciated that he was around as it make me feel safer if I were to travel alone. This is a great site for families or groups as the sites are close together so one could reserve 2 and have a lot of room for multiple tents/cars. On the other hand, if you are looking to get away from people, this is not it. The sites are close to each other with little to no barriers/designation lines between them. This is a great site for those testing camping with their dogs or small children. Not too far of a trip, great walking space, and the ranger is great about making sure all dogs are kept on leash. It is near to the Oasis Ranger Station and the Florida Trail, as well as loop road and Shark Valley. The stars were absolutely incredible being so far from major cities. Other than how close the tent sites were, my one big negative is the amount of road noise. The closest campsites are maybe 100 meters from the Tamiami Trail so if you're a light sleeper, it is less than ideal.

  • 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.

  • G
    Jul. 15, 2016

    Flamingo Campground — Everglades National Park

    Very practical camping - a way to stay but not a reason to go!

    I have camped here many, many times. Since the other overnight options were destroyed by hurricanes, this is the only way to remain at the end of the road overnight without having to drive back out (40 miles) or wilderness camp.

    The campsites are separated into three sections, one for RVs, the other not, and a special "walk in" field. I've only stayed at the "tents" areas. Each is essentially a large mowed field with sparse trees. The "walk in" field is essentially treeless and probably best described as an overflow area for tent campers.

    The RV and regular camping areas are loops that allow vehicles to access and park close to the campsite, which is a parking pad, a picnic table, and a fire containment device for cooking and/or a campfire. BTW... you must bring your own fire wood.

    There is no privacy, the ambiance is more one of community than peaceful tranquility. The combined restroom, showers, and dish washing buildings are few but never far from any campsite. Consider their location when choosing your site, closer might not be better for you if you might be offended by foot traffic through your site. A recent upgrade to solar heated water for the showers is fantastic!

    The entire area is famously buggy in all but the coldest months, and even then you better be prepared. It is also incredibly hot during the summer, making the few shaded sites a consideration... but the bugs love shade too!

    Despite the above bleak description, the camping area is commonly filled to capacity (hence the "walk in" area) during the cooler months. But it is also commonly empty during the summer when only fanatical anglers will brave the conditions.

Guide to Cutler Bay

Tent camping near Cutler Bay, Florida, offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying the beautiful landscapes and diverse wildlife of the region.

Local Attractions and Activities

Tent Camping Prices

Amenities for Tent Campers

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Cutler Bay, FL?

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

What is the best site to find tent camping near Cutler Bay, FL?

TheDyrt.com has all 19 tent camping locations near Cutler Bay, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.

Keep Exploring