Best Dispersed Camping near Everglades National Park

The swampy wilderness of Everglades National Park has several spots for dispersed camping, though options are more limited than in mountain states. The Everglades National Park City Park Campground offers primitive sites where you'll need to bring everything you need and take it all back out with you. Leave No Trace practices are strictly enforced throughout the park's backcountry areas. Dispersed campers need to stay certain distances from roads and water according to public land rules. Some remote areas in the Everglades National Park Recreation Area have no facilities whatsoever, so complete self-sufficiency is necessary. Check fire rules before your trip as restrictions change seasonally in this sensitive ecosystem. Like most public lands, camping is capped at 14 days to share access fairly. Many of the best dispersed sites require vehicles with good clearance since access roads can be rough and sometimes flooded. Water is your most critical supply to pack in, along with enough food for your entire stay. Trash management becomes especially important in the Everglades' fragile environment - everything must leave with you. The area's rich wildlife means careful food storage is essential, particularly in alligator country. Weather shifts quickly in the Everglades, so bring gear for both intense sun and sudden downpours. Following these guidelines helps protect this unique wetland while you experience its wild side.