The best camping near
Hialeah, FLORIDA

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.

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.

Campsites are generally good sized with both paved parking pads and green grass. Unlike the sites at Flamingo, there's more brush and trees providing an element of separation and privacy from other sites. There are flush toilets, showers, water fill, and a dump station, but no hookups. If you want electric, you should make reservations at Flamingo. Many of them have good vie of the sky, nice for solar charging your batteries or enjoying the stars. Insects can be be brutal, but they weren't too bad in January. Campground is open during the winter months/dry season, before the rain, insects, and heat keep most people away.

This is a nice location not too far into the park in case you want to explore another area, but it's remote enough that if you haven't picked up all you need by the time you reach Robert is Here Fruit Stand, you should go back to get it or plan to do without for a while. Speaking of Robert's, stop for a refreshing smoothie or shake and some fruits or vegetables on your way in or out of the park…or maybe each way!

 This campground and the one at Flamingo are operated by Flamingo Everglades concessionaire and they seem to be working to upgrade facilities. They're building a new station at the entrance. Reservations are available for RVs to try to ensure that those who need an RV site will be able to get one that fits their rig; tenters are asked to select their site upon arrival. 

Phone access spotty with Verizon; It was decent at Anhinga Trail, worse the farther down the road you get to Flamingo.

 I didn't happen across any gators in the campground while I was there, but they're definitely in the area. Didn't see a panther, either. Wildlife abounds, particularly the birds. An easy walk with great reward, especially early in the morning or in the evening is the Anhinga boardwalk. Keep your eyes peeled for the colorful purple gallinule darting across the lily pads and the anhinga spreading their wings to dry. I'm not much of a birder, but the challenge of distinguishing the ibis from the snow egret to the great egret is fun (Do you know which one has the golden slippers? The Merlin bird app is also a great tool to help you out.) 

Also nearby is the Nike MIssile Site, open for tours most days during the winter, but check at the visitors' center for details because the info on the website doesn't correspond with real life. Continue on down the road to Flamingo to catch a boat tour or rent a boat on your own; explore some hiking trails along the way. Bikes are a nice way to explore the campground or longer rides through the park. Stop at the visitor's center and pick up some guides or a Jr Ranger book for the kids.

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.

We transferred our reservations from Flamingo Bayside to Long pine key after 1 night at Flamingo. Long Pine Key was so much better! Nice, clean, stocked bathrooms and large showers. Also have a dish sink by the bathhouse. Bugs are 10x better here than over at Flamingo. Staff was very friendly and allowed us to transfer our reservation easily.

This park is an oasis in the midst of Ft. Lauderdale. There’s hiking, kayaking, beach access, and even a nice little restaurant on premises. There’s some noise of course, but it’s still lovely. The kayaking trail in the lake is short but nice for a quick paddle. Lots of turtles and fish visible in the water. I wouldn’t travel far to visit, but come here often as it’s close to home. There’s camping overlooking the intercoastal waterway, but the sites are wide open with no privacy next to the access road. Get there early as parking fills up quickly during peak times.

Stayed here a few times and always have a good time! Campground is always kept clean and showers have hot water.

if u are looking for a nice place to camp this is totally the place, once u get past the tri rail coming thru every hr.

I think that you get more for what you pay. Clean and quiet place.

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