Are you planning a tent camping trip to Immokalee? We've got you covered. The Dyrt helps you find campsites with tent camping near Immokalee. Search nearby tent campsites or find top-rated spots from other campers.
-Parking Fee is $1 per hour or $5 per day
-Dogs are not permitted at this park.
-Alcohol, gasoline powered generators and electric bicycles are not allowed in the park per County Ordinance 18-12 (as amended)
-Collection of plants, animals, shells or other natural and cultural resources is not allowed.
-Helmets are strongly encourage for all mountain bikers and are required by state law for anyone under the age of 16.
-Volunteer Opportunities are available
$15 - $40 / night
This is primitive camping, tent only. This is a nice campground with two picnic tables, one grill, two elevated tent pads. Looks like a horse trail/old road begins at the end of the campground.
This is a primitive campground containing nine campsites. No water. Vault toilets are available. Reservations required.
Located nearby are Bear Island (40 sites) and Gator Head (9 sites).
Pink Jeep and Gator Head can be accessed by off-road vehicle, hiking, or biking. Backcountry permits are required for all, and off-road vehicle permits are required for off-road vehicles.
In addition, an off-road vehicle (ORV) permit and gate code is required for 4x4 vehicles to access the site and no trailers are allowed. One can also access the location by foot or bicycle.
$5 - $10 / night
The beach camp sites on the western side offer a nice breeze and more privacy. Locate your campsite away from vegetation to minimize your impact in this fragile area. Safely exploring a wilderness by water requires careful preparation and planning. Camp along the western shoreline, but be aware of shallow water and limited access at low tides. Make sure your vessels are tied, beached, or anchored securely. There is deep water around the northern side. On the west side is a quiet, secluded beach only accessible by canoe/kayak due to the shallow waters. Use dead/downed wood below storm surge line. No facilities. Pack out all trash and bury human waste 6”. Vault toilet on nearby Picnic Key
$23 / night
$23 / night
Guide
My husband and I lucked out to get an absolutely gorgeous day to tent camp at this campground. The next day was back to Florida’s hot and humidity. This campground is in one of natire’s most wonderful places, big cypress national preserve. This campground has tent and rv sites. No electric sites. We went on a Sunday and the whole campground was full, it’s a popular spot, would recommend making reservations in advance. There are vault toilets over on the rv sites and flush toilets by the tent sites. There are campground hosts, fire pits in the tent area, and a lake that does have alligators, because this is Florida. The nite sky was perfect so many stars to see. Little to no noise pollution. Make sure to bring your insect repellent, I got eaten alive once the sun started setting. No trails at the campground but there are trails within big cypress. Tent campsites were level and not right on top of one another. There were a few trees for shade as well.
Guidenice campground with tent and RV sites. The tent site we stayed had the perfect view of the sunrise over the lake without even leaving the tent! Lots of families with kids. Picnic tables and fire rings at the tent sites and very friendly campground hosts!
ScoutTL;DR Great for RVs, sucks for tents
Stayed for 2 nights in the tent loop in early January and encountered several problems with the campground.
So basically the review is this: if you want to boondock in an RV, this is a beautiful place to do it. It’s got a little pond with a couple of gators and beautiful views of marl grass prairie. You can get away from the fly hatch, take a shower, block out the night traffic noise, and hopefully avoid the fire ants. For tent camping, this place was the worst we’ve stayed in for a while. While a lot of things can’t be controlled, the host nor ranger were ever helpful (and sometimes actively making the experience worse!), though they were very chummy with RV campers. Bathrooms were clean though, which was fantastic.
Guide
This campsite was as expected. Was it my favorite ever? No. But it gets 5 stars for being exactly as depicted on the recreation.gov site. The tent camp sites were far enough apart that you didn't feel like you were overlapping with your neighbor and far enough from the main road that road noise is not an issue. Our site easily held 2 cars, a 4 person tent, and a 2 person tent with room to spare. Each site has a campfire pit and a picnic table. There are bear cabinets around to put your food in overnight if you don't want to leave it in your car. This is not just for bears, but panthers and hungry raccoons too. Even during the dry season, the ground was quite damp so I was happy to have a good footprint for our tent. I would make sure to prep for this by bringing water resistant shoes next time. The campfire area has a grill attachment so if you are just doing burgers and hotdogs, I wouldn't fret too much about cooking utensils; just get the fire going first to sanitize the grill. Bring your own firewood. We were able to scrounge for some, but I wouldn't depend on that. There is a bathroom (hole in the ground with a toilet on top); totally fine, but I would advise to bring extra TP just in case it hasn't been restocked. There are RV sites on the other side of the lake; I appreciated that they were separate as we didn't have to be right next to all the generators. The only negative thing was some jerk who was speeding around the loop road in their Jeep, kicking up dust and dangerously drifting the corners; I didn't feel safe walking along the road to the bathroom. But that is an issue with an inconsiderate camper and not the NPS.
Guide
Great camp sites, leveled with electric for the RVs and tent camping off on the side. Clean bathrooms (no showers) and dump station. Attendant was friendly. Central pond for fishing just watch for the gators.
Guide
This 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.
Traveler
Koreshan is one of about 57 State parks in Fl you can camp. Ammenities are decent, showers, bathrooms, Rv-tent camping spots with elec and water, firepit and picnic table. Dump station. Kids playground. Fishing spots. Canoe and kyak rentals. And tgere is also the Historic site to tour.
Guide35 bucks for a tent site is somewat expensive in my book, otherwise I have nothing special to report about this campground exept that they had some kind of amish retreat goin on when I was there.
Guide
Great campground! I enjoyed the walking trail and my kids enjoyed the playground. Very nice amenities with very nice bathroom facilities with showers. Campsite also had water and electricity. I took away a star due to the small size and because the tent campsites were too close to each other. There is also canoe/kayak rentals. Also, mosquito repellent a must.
Guide
We camped at FEC this past January 2018. We were tent camping for the long weekend. We were in a spot right on the water which was peaceful. Camping is tight in that area so if you prefer more space you may want to go to the field areas. This is a fun little campground for kids with activities and karaoke at night. We rented kayaks on Sunday. We were dropped off in the woods and kayaked through 200 gators! The only con for me is that there IS road noise from the highway.
GuideThis place was nicely maintained. We camped on the tent only loop. Most of the sites are pretty private with water, a fire ring and picnic table at each spot. Some get more shade and some have more trees. The shower was great but broken and the light was broken in there as well. But I’m not a complainer. There are some trails in the park with canoe / kayak rentals. And then more trails off the main road. Overall a pleasant tent camping spot but wow it was crazy HOT July 31st. So many mosquitoes and yellow biting flies. I would go in the cooler months for sure!
LegendMidway in Big Cypress: This is our forth time here. We love this campground, though the sites are open. All trailer sites look over the lake which is in the middle of the campground. This campground seems to be very conducive to meeting people. (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good
(70 yr olds in 17’ trailer. Our rating of a campground is influenced by the following: The general ambiance- sort of wilderness feel the campground gives us. A selection of campsites which offer some visual privacy and/or view from sites. Cleanliness of whatever facilities are offered is important and usually noted in my review.
Overall Rating: 4.5 for the lake view
Price 2023: $ 15 w interagency pass
Usage during visit: RV sites full every night. Tent sites accommodate vans, rooftop tents….
Site Privacy: None
Site Spacing: Fair
Site surface: Blacktop
Reservations: Required
Campground Noise: Tent area - defiantly.
Road Noise: Tent area - defiantly. From # 21, yes.
Through Traffic in campground: Folks might come in to have picnics at tables around the lake.
Electric Hookup: Yes
Sewer Hookup: No
Dump Station: Yes
Potable Water Available: Yes, at the dump station.
Generators: Allowed.
Bathroom: Flush toilet. Only one stall in the men’s. Clean.
Showers: At Monument Lake CH, 20 minutes.
Pull Throughs: None in RV Loop
Cell Service (AT&T): Site 21 usually has 1 bar. Sites at the near the end have weaker reception.
Setting: All RV sites are situated around the lake
Recent Weather: High 50s to 80s. Rain
Solar: Plenty in the tent sites
Host: Three
Rig Size: Largest bus RVs are here
Sites: 19 - 26 are best shaded sites. 13 and 14 are corner sites with less shade . 1 is near a shed, but a fine site. Picnic tables along the lake and in between these sites: 22&23, 3&4, 11&12, 16&17. (On nice weekend days you can expect small groups using these spots for day usage.)
ScoutWe took our 2 and 1yo boys tent camping. The sites were clean and large enough to fit our lodge style tent, boat and van. My only complaint was that I wished the campsite was a little further in away from the road…but, I don’t think any pull in spots are really going to offer that. The bathrooms were clean. We did battle with a very large raccoon on various occasions that tried to get into our trash and campfire nachos. 😅 The boat ramp was very basic, but did the job just fine. The Estero River was very cool and was an easy shot getting to the sandbars of Lovers Key State Park. The grounds of the park were also very pretty and the historic sites were interesting.
GuideOpen field surrounding an older burrow pit has been transformed into a decent RV and tent camping spot. The facilities include a fire ring and picnic table. Flush toilets but no power or showers This is a good stopping point when crossing the glades or exploring the surrounding area. Private wilderness camping it is not. Watch for gators in and along the lake.
To the east is a big open prairie which lends itself to a steady breeze. That helps keep the bugs down but it got really buggy at dusk. Gators have been know to cross from the prairie through the campsites on their way back to the lake.
Good cell service from nearby tower.
LegendAmazing campground (as long as you're cool with pit toilets and without showers). Great picnic tables and fire rings. We're tent campers and loved this place. There's only 7 tent sites and they're on the opposite side of the lake from the RV's (I think there's about 10 RV sites). It's far enough from the road that's it's quiet (about a mile on gravel from the state route to the campsites). Stars are great. Bathrooms are clean. Bring your own firewood. We didn't see any hikers or OHVers (their website says this campground is commonly used by them). There was an alligator swimming in the lake at dusk. Don't make the mistake like we did and wear sandals though, the chiggers/no see ums are terrible.
LegendArrived at this campground with 2 other RVs already camping. One we never saw the people at all, the other one drove by but really never saw them either! Another arrived later on in the evening and a photographer came to shoot some night bugs and left before we woke up. Nice, quiet place to stay the night. It is close to the road but that was not bothersome at all. Electric hook ups only with water, garbage and dump on site. Sign said pick a spot and pay at the kiosk. $30/night cash only. One loop with pond in the middle with signs to beware of alligators though we never saw one. Bathrooms also available and both RV and tent sites and day use.
Legend
There won't be much space between you and your neighbors, but let's be honest: if you're staying at this small island park, you're probably spending most of your time on the water. You can rent boat slips or launch a kayak; rent one if you don't have your own. Pick up your fishing supplies at the office. The historic Smallwood store is just a little farther down the road. There's 1 designated tent site, several RV sites, and a number of permanent residents. If you don't have your own RV, they have RVs and cabins for rent.
The park has bathrooms, a small playground, chickee for lounging outdoors, with a fire pit nearby, and a pavilion for gathering with friends and family.
Explore the mangroves, take an airboat tour our of Everglades City, or explore other areas of the Everglades. Naples is your best shopping source. There are restaurants in Everglades City.
GuideThis 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.
Guide
We stayed here for a week and thoroughly enjoyed it. The location is fantastic, close enough in to be 5 minutes from a super Wallmart and shopping, 25 minutes to Everglades City where we went out fishing and took an air boar tour, and is a hop skip to Marco beaches. This is your standard KOA with an upscale amenities list. The cell service and Wi-Fi were fantastic all over the site bc they have signal boosters located throughout. We are tent campers and the various tent sites seemed to be better than most. The pads were dry and flat. Each site has a table, fire pit ring, and water/ele. The sites are kinda on the steep side, but the place is nice and the owner totally believes in upgrading and maintenance, which is refreshing in this day and age. The pool facilities are super nice and the bath facilities were very clean. I will definitely be coming back to this little hide away! I give it 5 stars for its cleanliness, amenities, super friendly staff, location, and my experience staying there. We drove away with a smile on our faces and great Memories. I’m surprised there aren’t more reviews posted!
GuideWe stayed in the RV side of the campground. Arrived at 745 literally before closing. Called the office ahead to let them know we are almost there , the staff was super nice. Checked in with no issues, staff even gave us an option to checkout another site if we liked more we can take it. We stayed at out booked site. It’s very dark no lights . I wish the sites were marked with a reflective tape. Very quite and chill atmosphere. This is not a party spot. Sites are pretty roomy and you are not on top of your neighbors.Each site comes with fire-rings, full hook up (rv sites), tent sites do not have hook ups and a picnic table. The river is so beautiful in the morning filled with fog. There’s a swimming depot in the park , looks like a man made lagoon. You can rent kayak/canoe and paddle on the river. A new add on was a food truck , looks like a good menu will try next time. There’s a small preserve with a Boardwalk to explore. There’s no pool or playground. This is a no frills campground but i love it because you can disconnect,relax and view wildlife. Reception here is actually amazing. 20 mins away in Labelle there’s a bomb brewery if you wanna explore a nearby town.
GuideWe were so glad to find this place on The Dyrt. Once you check in, there is someone there to guide you to your site. You cannot reserve sites, you just request the amps needed for your rig. 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. We had no trouble leveling our trailer and getting set up. Fire pits are at every site and fires are encouraged. If you did not bring wood, there is some for sale. The bath house was adequate. It could be cleaner, but it is camping. The sites include water and electric. You are not able to pick up antennae TV unless you have high quality tall antennae. Radio stations came in just fine. At the front of the park is a little store with SkunkApe gear and an animal exhibit with gators, pythons and chickens. Skunkape is the equivalent of Sasquatch. Apparently, there is a legend of sitings in the Everglades. Kayak and canoe rentals are available as well as a swamp buggy ride. We brought our own kayaks and were told where to enjoy them. This campground is 15 minutes from Everglade City and 25 minutes from Collier-Seminole State Park.
TravelerMy girlfriend and I wanted to do the spur of the moment camping trip and so, while we were driving from the east side of south Florida we tried calling multiple campgrounds to find which had last minute availability for a 7:30 pm check-in. This campground was the first to answer the phone number listed on this app. The lady that answered was very nice and explained they had electricity and showers and that there were still tent sites available. 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.
Once arriving to the campground all we had to do was call a number to unlock the gate and then we paid for our camp site while we were in the car. After we paid, we were escorted to our camping site by a gentleman on a four wheeler.
The camping cite has a grill and electricity but we couldn’t find any water pump. But we brought water so we were fine. We were on a site next to the bathroom which also has showers, so it was easily accessible. There is a good amount of space for each site. You can definitely play some music at a low volume without disturbing anyone else. Another great aspect of this location is your ability to see all of the stars. There are no towns close by so the light pollution is low.
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.
Overall I am so happy with this campsite and it was perfect for what we were looking for.
TravelerWe stayed on the tent campsite near the swimming lake, site 007. The area is nice, beautiful morning views from the swimming lake and great hiking/canoeing paths with fearful encounters with gators, at one instance 5 gators in the creek just feet away while canoeing, we even hit one thinking it was a log. Now the bad... There is a train track visible across the lake, this train WILL wake you up and it passes several times a day making that obnoxious "I'm coming through" sound from the horn. There is also a main road/highway (27) that can be heard as well. I'm okay with all that (ear plugs), the main issue I had was with the neighbor campers, literally like 60 people with the loudest dj setup made for a big crowd party and lots of alcohol. These guys had lights that would light up a football field at night, couldn't sleep and couldn't even enjoy the night sky due to the lights. The problem is that the campsite is made for 10 people max, or so I thought. No, nobody there abide by the rules and there is no camp edicate. The "neighbors" would walk through my campsite and trip on my tent lines just to pee in the bushes next to my campsite because they didn't want to walk to the bathroom. The bathrooms at the primitive campsite are outhouses with no running water by the way. If you want to take a shower or wash your hands, you will have to walk (long walk) or drive to the main bathroom. I had to take a shower with a roach lurking in the corner, not upkept whatsoever. Because of the rule breaking, I had to give this review 3 stars, it would have been 4 (1 star knock off because of the bathrooms)
LegendCollier-Seminole State Park, Naples Florida https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Collier-Seminole
It’s quite possible not many folks know about this State Park. The campground proper may not seem that large, but Collier-Seminole State Park is 7,271 acres huge! Almost all of it is part of the great mangrove swamp, one of the largest mangrove swamps in the world.
Even still, there are 105 camp sites tucked away on dry ground. All have electric and water, a fire pit and picnic table.
When entering the campsite area, the first loop to the right is a designated tent camping only loop. 19 sites in all. The sites are reasonably sized and permit two tents. There are palms and hardwoods providing canopy for shade above and undergrowth to give some privacy but you can still see and hear your neighbors.
The RV/Camper loop looks more like an inverted triangle with several loops within.
Three Restroom/showerhouse’s are strategically located so it is not a far walk to reach one from anywhere in the camping area. One of which has laundry facilities. There is also a RV dump station available. Firewood is sold in two locations in the RV loop.
**Read park rules and regs online…especially if you plan on bringing a pet or had thoughts of using a hammock.
Within the campground itself there is only one trail, but just outside is another 6.5 mile that winds through cypress swamps and offers a primitive campsite. However, you must register with the Ranger Station. Boating is the big draw and more specifically fishing. A fee of $5 gets you in the State Park for the day, and most Day users utilize the boat ramp. Canoe rentals are available as well as bicycles. Paddlers must submit a float plan with the Ranger. Mountain bikers have a 3.5 mile trail through a hammock and pine forest, again, you must register st the Ranger Station before use.
Don’t lose sight that you are in a very wild area. Bears, panthers, bobcat, gators, the invasive python, along with several poisonous snakes call this home. Also bring bug repellent! When there is a “skeeter-meter” on the Ranger Station wall, you had better be prepared.
Like most parks, a rich and varied history surrounds Collier-Seminole State Park. All of which is quite fascinating. Three distinctly different Seminole Wars took place here. The dredging and construction of US 41 which cuts across the Everglades that connects east with west began here. In fact, the only Bay City Walking Dredge in existence is found in this park.
The Collier-Seminole State Park is close to so many great SWFL things to see and do.
During what they refer to as “season,” Dec-Mar. you’ll be hard pressed to find a vacancy, as snowbirds migrate here in droves. But from May through October, you’ll find several vacancies.
Collier-Seminole State Park should be on your short list of places to camp!
LegendFirst, there is nothing like the Everglades…its vast and critical…an enormous river of grass.
Burns Lake Campground is a little more than an hour from home…but it is surrounded by primal wilderness of a different sort.
The campground itself, is…well…primitive. Bring your own water, period. Most of these primitive campgrounds in Big Cypress are used by hunters or recreational vehicle owners. You are out there…in the middle of nowhere. You would need to drive a considerable distance on 41 east or west to get to a service station that might have what you are looking for. Its quiet…in a nature sort of way. In the winter months, it will fill up as do all campgrounds in Florida…mostly with northerners cruising RV's. Being primitive, expect nothing more than a picnic table, fire ring and pit latrine.
Tent camping any time between April and November is hot…be prepared. Also prepare…no, wait…over prepare for biting insects. They spray for mosquitos along the inhabited coastline, so rarely do you even see the nasty creatures…but out here they are active and hungry. Remember too that the sun is hot, sometimes seemingly oppressive…you have a lake in front of you…but you can't swim in it…in fact, you don't want to take your eyes off the water when you are close to its edge. Gators lurk…it's true…and in these parts, they get big, real big. Though I didn't see any, venomous snakes do inhabit these parts as well.
Bears can be pesky…keep your food sealed in containers…in your car. You may still get a visitor anyways. "Florida panthers" have been seen, but are very elusive.
If its cooler and you can't seem to find any gators…my favorite spots nearby are the Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk (17 miles west from the campground on US 41) The boardwalk extends some 2300 feet back into Fakahatchee Strand. You'll almost always see a gator sunning itself along the bank (which is uneasily close, as you walk by). Even if you don't see a gator…its a relaxing walk.
Ordinarily you will see hordes of gators in the canal on the northside of US 41 the entire way.
There are two other options: One much closer to the campground…just 3 miles out and to the west to HP Williams Roadside Park. I always see gators there of varying size…and really enjoy the rangers that share words of wisdom there.
Thirteen miles east from the campground brings you to Big Cypress Oasis Visitor Center. Guaranteed gators. A boardwalk in front of the visitor center stands above numerous monster gators in the water below. This makes for some great photo opportunities for the shutterbug. The visitor's center is newer and fascinating. (sidenote: If you really wanted a more immersed wild, natural Florida hiking/camping experience…park in the Oasis Visitor Center parking lot…advise the rangers…and hike behind the visitor's center on the Florida Trail. Pack it in, pack it out)
There is really so much to do and far more to see in this natural wonderland. You can check out Wooten's airboat rides or any number of the other's along US 41 for a neat experience…or drop down into Shark Valley and explore even more. Shark Valley in the winter months is triple A+…gators galore…see my upcoming review and photos on that NPS.
Or consider canoeing or kayaking the Everglades and camp on the Chickees along the way.
Remember from June to November is "hurricane season"…from July on to late October, you'll likely experience rain daily as storm bursts roll through. (Take note: Florida is the lightning strike capital…but the displays are awesome!)
Monument Lake Campground and Burns Lake Csmpgrounds are nearly identical in every way…with Burns Lake being a bit further back from US 41.
Also, you may find the campground closed at different periods, so have an alternate plan.
LegendCampground Review: Fisheating Creek Outpost and Campground, Palmdale, FL
At last minute, I was able to secure one of two available campsites over the phone…but even the website recommends emailing them for reservations because of an overload of phone calls. Fisheating Creek Outpost and Campground http://www.fisheatingcreekoutpost.com/ in name, may not sound appealing to most campers…but you'd never know it by the sold out sites on a daily basis.
Securing a campsite at Fisheating Creek Outpost during the winter months, Nov-May 1, is a gamble. Weather is cooler and more predictable than summer months. Northerners migrate south like winged songbirds and usually pack out all south Florida campgrounds during winter months… and this particular campground is popular with the locals.
Fisheating Creek Outpost and Campground is only 1.5 hours NE from me, and affords some variety, for a Florida campground. Unbeknownst to me Cub Scout Pack 141 from West Palm was holding their annual jamboree campout at Fisheating Creek the first weekend I camped. So there were throngs of youngsters, but still plenty of space here not to feel crowded…and they were having a great time.
I should interject that September 2017 Hurrican Irma did a number on this area, along with the actual creek water rising ten feet. So the staff and volunteers are doing a remarkable job under the circumstances to return this campground to a state of normalcy. Speaking of staff, Stephanie at registration and Ryan at the boat livery were extremely helpful, informative and polite. I have found young people from this area of Florida extraordinarily polite and respectful.
The office, on the right when you first cross the RR tracks and enter the campground, which is on elevated stilts had two foot of water running through it during the Hurricane, so they temporarily conduct business out of a tent at the entrance until renovated. Staff and volunteer crews have worked tirelessly to make the campground and creek usable, clean and debris free.
One must realize this is south central Florida, so expect gators, wild hogs, and snakes. With as much activity that abounds at the campground, you'll likely not see them in the campground, as much as you will see them directly outside of it. Prepare for mosquitos…though I only dealt with mosquitos for about 15 minutes at sunset and my tent site was on the river.
Fisheating Creek is the draw. There is a livery connected with the Outpost/Campground where you can either rent kayaks or canoes to paddle upstream or you can opt to reserve a spot on the shuttle to drop you 8 or 16 miles upstream for a fee. http://www.fisheatingcreekoutpost.com/showpage.asp?page=rates#canoes Float time downstream for 8 miles is roughly four hours.
The shuttle fee was excessive, for my budget, so I chose to paddle upstream from my campsite. It should be noted, that non-campers can use the Outpost livery or put-in for a mere $2 per person. Actual boat rental prices are reasonable.
The paddle upstream is pleasant in a kayak, and not burdensome as Fisheating Creek was not flowing swiftly…around 3.5 ft. Families in laden canoes were paddling upstream without much difficulty even with a deeper draft. Blue blazes on Cypress trees mark the way as it is mostly narrow and twisty. During rainy season and higher water levels, you will need the blazes to find your way through the Cypress maze. Occasional paddle placards with a directional arrow are also posted. Fisheating Creek is wild, no doubt about it. Swimming is discouraged, as it is a dark tannin color and loaded with alligators. Passing paddlers that started 8 miles upstream stopped counting after 100, which is commonplace in these parts. Gators range in size from one to fourteen footers. I counted a couple dozen on each of my paddles upstream. Fortunately, it is illegal to feed alligators, and most people abide by the rules, so they are still wary and scoot upon close approach. Of course, none of this dissauded the Cub Scouts from their maritime fun, as they found a riverside rope swing that launched them into the dark depths. Reminder: Always check the Fisheating Creek water level website before planning a trip, if you are hopeful for a pleasurable paddle.http://www.fisheatingcreekoutpost.com/showpage.asp?page=waterlevels
Herons, egrets, wood stork, roseate spoonbills, ibis, pileated woodpeckers, osprey, buzzards and wood duck are plentiful and noisy when disturbed by your presence.
January 2018, the waters have only recently receded, so hiking trails were still quite swampy. Doable if you wear muck boots or water shoes. Part of the trails parallel along the creek.
Amenities: The campground is somewhat separated into two sections, the RV/Camper area is to the right and has its own loop, separate shower house/restroom with screened in pavilion area…and has more grassy area. The tent only area continues left past the livery and into a wooded, shaded area along the creek. The tent only area also has its own shower house/restroom. Both of which are dated, but clean.
There is a third camping area on the north end of the property around the western side of the swimming pond, where they do permit swimming. This area has a pavilion, picnic tables at campsites and separate tables for "day use" visitors…and a newer pit latrine. Campsites in this loop are also quite shaded.
None of the campsites offer much in the way of privacy. Sites above 60 provide more foliage between sites. At site 63, I was a distance from the showerhouse, but the campground positioned a Porta-potty in our loop.
Alternative: If you desired, you could bring your kayak or canoe (or rent one), either pay for the upstream shuttle or paddle upstream and camp along the river at any "high and dry" spot. The cost to park your vehicle at the campground is only $2 per individual…and it costs nothing to paddle upstream and camp with your own gear. Plenty of elevated sandy beach areas to tent camp and more where you can hammock. Although, I would not recommend ground sleeping without a tent, nor hammocking overnight without netting. I spoke with several parties camped upstream along the river. Realize, this is a wild river…"there are things that go bump in the night."
Be forewarned…because Fishingeating Creek Oupost and Campground are located on Rt.27 and 8/10th's of a mile north of Rt.29, the campground is within earshot of highway traffic noise. Ear plugs eliminate that noise, but I prefer hearing the sounds of nature during the night, particularly the bull alligator's roar.
Product Review: Renogy E.Flex 10 Folding Solar Panel with USB
The Renogy E.Flex 10 Folding Solar Panel with USB https://www.renogy.com/renogy-e-flex10-portable-solar-panel-with-usb-port/ arrived in a smal but smartly packaged box. The panels were folded and couched in protective foam cutouts. Beneath the panels were two small 1.85" aluminum carabiners and four 1.25" suction cups and a bifold instruction pamplet.
The technical information can be easily acquired from Renogy.com website: https://www.renogy.com/renogy-e-flex10-portable-solar-panel-with-usb-port/#tab_prd-specs but for quick reference…folded it measures 10.3"x6.3"x0.16", unfolded: 13.4"x10.3"x0.08"
By way of comparison, my only other solar panel experience is with a major competitor that is attached to my Gregory Baltoro GZ 75 pack. So this review will from a layman's perspective and neither technical nor exhaustive.
As a product reviewer for TheDyrt, I am honored to receive products for testing and evaluation at substantial discounts or no cost at all…and such is the case with the Renogy E.Flex 10 Folding Solar Panel with USB.
First look: When handling the E.Flex 10, if feels sturdy and appears durable even though it is wafer thin. There is no "flex" in the panels themselves, but rather in the "binder-style" fabric-covered plastic hinge between the two panels, so it can be folded book-like. The four cutout corner tabs have some flexibility in the material as well.
The exterior fabric on the solar panel side has a rubbery texture, whereas the opposite or outside has an oxford cloth.
I found the solar panel grid side to repel water…beading up and dripping off. The obvious weak link in the weatherproofing is the USB port. Keeping that in mind, if attaching to the exterior of your pack…keep USB port side facing downward to minimize water collection should you get caught in an unexpected cloudburst.
Attaching the Renogy E.Flex 10 to my kayak worked sufficiently well with the included carabiners. If my bow deck was wider, I would have experimented with the suction cups. Remember surfaces must be smooth and clean to adhere and hold securely. Salt brine residue on the bow deck also negatively effected the suction cups.
In additon to attaching the Renogy E.Flex 10 to my backpack and my kayak, I experimented by attaching it to the an interior house window, a tinted vehicle window and inside my lanai screening (which has a claimed 50 SPF). In SW Florida, we get ample blue sky, sun-filled days…so I was able to use the solar panels daily.
In my unscientific, non-technical testing fashion…I used a 4,000 mAh lithium ion battery power stick. In sustained direct sunlight, the E.Flex 10 took 3.5 hours to fully charge the power stick (which would roughly charge my smartphone two times).
My house windows are not tinted so charges times were uneffected. The lanai screen SPF claims must be inaccurate as similar charge times were observed. Only the heavily tinited auto glass substantially increased charge times.
When stationary and connecting the E.Flex 10 Folding Solar Panels directly to my smartphone, while using search engines and keeping three windows open, my phone continued to slowly charge. Note: with cloud coverage or intermittent shade when directly connected to the smartphone, a screen prompt pops up…"This accessory might not be supported" and offers a "Dismiss" tab. This is part of the Smart Auto-Optimization charging…which initially reduces charging (with shade) but permits the charger to return to the full solar power flow without the necessity to unplug and plug the device. Apparently, this is a feature some solar panels do not offer…so charging remains seamless.
In comparison, I found no difference in charge times between the Renogy E.Flex 10 and my GZ. To be fair, the dimensions of the E.Flex 10 were slightly larger…which could potentially impact that finding.
Durability: Time and continued use will tell. I've only used the E.Flex 10 for a month but it appears like it should hold up. However, I have obswerved a small pucker in the fabric on the binding, where the oxford cloth has separated from the plastic "hinge." Cause for concern? Probably not, but we will see.
Parting Shots: Perhaps I'm being picky, but I believe replacing the two aluminum carabiners with four Nite-Ize "S" carabiners, along with a weather resistant USB port or connector, and an optional USB daisy chain to connect two or more E.Flex 10's together so I could utilize a laptop or iPad in the backcountry would elevate the value and usefulness of the Renogy E.Flex 10.
Did I like it? Absolutely. It's simple to use and effective.
Would I invest in one? Yes. For $59.99 factory direct…it's a bargain!
LegendCampground: Monument Lake Campground, FL
Monument Lake Campground is located within the Big Cypress National Preserve, Ochopee, FL.https://www.nps.gov/bicy/planyourvisit/monument-lake-campground.htm) This is a small campground area located near the halfway mark across US 41 (the Original Alligator Alley) between Naples and Miami…on the north side of the roadway at mile marker 60. There are several campgrounds along this stretch of US 41, but it appears most are designed for the self-contained RV'er to roost during the winter…much like migratory birds. In fact, there are 10 campgrounds within the Big Cypress National Preserve, some are first come-first served and others it is best to secure reservations on Recreation.gov.
Amenities: True enough, if you read any articles or reviews on Monument Lake Campground…amenities are scarce. So do not anticipate glamping in style…if you don't bring "it" all with you…you won't have it (No stores for 20+ miles in either direction). Restrooms are located mid-way on the west side of the Lake, and pit latrines are located mid-way on the east side of the Lake. There is running water at this campground…but we bring our own…or filter what is available (well water tables can be "iffy" in SWFL). No electrical, water or sewer hook-ups.
The Lake is not for swimming…period! This is gator country and while you may not see one in the lake, they are present. Gators travel pretty far to find reliable water and sustainable food source. Keep small pets and chldren away from the water's edge and within reach. I've seen folks fish from canoes and small row boats.
Campsites are grassy (but realize this is Florida and everything is sandy), complete with picnic table and fire pit. Take great care with campfires, as winter months are dry and susceptible to raging fires. No shelters, so I recommend a tarp or pop-up shelter for sun shade.
Camping here in January is a bit of a crapshoot. Weather can be warm and sunny or cold and sunny from day to day. Mosquitos, sand gnats, chiggers and small flies can be found in abundance or nonexistent. I recommend Sawyer spray and lotion, Sunsect and/or Thermacell to combat insects around the campsite.
There are "animal proof" steel storage containers. Most signs point to raccoons or palmetto rats (think large Gerbil…cute but destructive), but bear and panther roam these parts with regularity. I also recommend picking up a container of fire ant granules to bring along to apply to any active sand mounds (kills the colony quickly)…fire ant bites smart, well…burn and on most leave a nasty blister.
As stated earlier, definitely use Recreation.gov to reserve your site well in advance for Dec-April camping. We were shocked there were so many vacancies following a holiday weekend, but that's not the norm. Sites are $28 for RV (26 sites), and $24 for tent sites (10). As a tent camper, I prefer sites along the north side of the lake (15-18)…more shade trees to string hammocks, further from the sound of US 41 traffic and long lake views, but you'll pay the $28. Keep in mind that some campgrounds close randomly for various reasons (renovations, seasonal rains, no hosts). Check the website for alerts.
Things to do and see: Not much to do at the campground, quite frankly. There is a service road at the NE corner of the campground that angles off NE and will intersect with The Florida Trail. But nearby, there are plenty of interesting places to visit and explore. Most notable is Shark Valley Visitor Center…20 minutes east and offers bicycling, walking or tram along a 15 mile loop in the Everglades. If you want to see hundreds of gators up close and personal…this is the place. It is a National Park, so there is a fee. (https://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/svdirections.htm) Directly across from Shark Valley is the Miccosukee Cultural Center http://www.miccosukee.com/indian-village/ where you can learn about the indigenous tribe of this area. Also to the east about ten minutes is the Big Cypress Gallery Center of Clyde Butcher http://clydebutcher.com/big-cypress/swamp-walks/, and at six minutes is the Oasis Visitor Center (more of a nature center) which not only will educate you about the area, it is the official Southern Terminus of The Florida Trail (http://www.floridatrail.org/) so you can start or end your 1300 mile journey here. H.P.Williams Roadside Park is west ten miles and Big Cypress Swamp Welcome Center and Everglade City a bit further.
There is a rich history in these swamps and waterways. Several great marked canoe trails to explore nearby the campground (Mitchell Landing, Turner River Canoe Trail, and Halfway Creek Canoe Trail). Note that several chickee huts have been damaged by Hurricane Irma, so check with park staff on the best on-trail camping spots. Several airboat ride vendor locations along US 41.
So while the campground itself may not have a lot to offer, there is much to see and do nearby…and its way better than staying in the big city.
Product Review: Tredagain Claystone Oxford boots
First glance at the Tredagain Claystone Oxford boot https://tredagain.com,quality construction, sturdy to the touch, thick but supple leather, and comfortable cradling fit.
The leather upper gives a combination of an aged, distressed appearance. Tredagain describes it as a full-grain waxed upper. I find the classic moccasin toe of the Claystone model attractive and stylish. Tredagain branded the Claystone an Oxford, but I would describe it more as a "chukka" boot.
As a TheDyrt Review Ranger, periodically, I'll have opportunity to review outdoor products at discounted or no cost. I was given the opportunity to review the Tredagain Claystone Oxford both with a discount code and I found them on sale over the holidays. Bonus!
The "tricot" style liner mimics a suede-like appearance visually and to the touch. The shoe laces give the appearance of leather the same coloring of the boot leather. No clue if this was a forethought by the manufacturer, but a nice touch. I did find that it was necessary to double knot said shoe laces or they came untied due to their slickness.
Boot upper stitiching appears uniform and stylish in accents. The bonding of the APX rubber sole to the leather upper is well done, leaving no trace of glue marks on or puckers in the leather.
As you read about Tredagainhttps://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tredagain-leaves-a-better-footprint-with-shoe-line-made-with-upcycled-tires-300256631.html)you learn every outsole contains 50% upcycled rubber compound called APX. All upcycled soles are produced here in the US of A! Diverting roughly 3,000 tires yearly from landfills and converting them into clean rubber compounds. How's that for sustainability. Their company mantra: "Leave A Better Footprint." Gotta love that! Tredagain is based in Austin, TX.
The sole appears rugged and durable, yet is quite flexible. Nothing is noted on the Tredagain website about the Claystone Oxford possessing a shank of any type for added support or protection and I was able to feel rocks, branches and such pressing up into the bottom of my foot while hiking. I also noticed the tight tread picked up and retained tiny pebbles, shell, etc from trails…so I would not describe the sole as self-cleaning. Casual wear created no such problem.
Remarkably, much though went into the removable anatomical footbed. It is well-cushioned, comfortable and thicker than what most companies provide.
Wearability: I found the Tredagain Claystone Oxford model true to size, just as the company representative advised when I inquired. I wear a 9.5 in almost all my shoes/boots…and the Claystone Oxford's in 9.5 fit nicely. If comfort is king…the Tredagain Claystone Oxford's reign!
Although, I'll keep that in an urban or casual hiking setting. I would not recommend them for backpacking or treking on rock strewn trails as they lack the torsional or vertical support my feet need in footwear. I do see myself wearing the Claystone Oxford's often for everyday use. It should be noted that Tredagain does not advertise the Claystone Oxford as a hiking or backpacking boot.
Be forewarned: The shoes possess a very strong leather treatment odor initially. Think new baseball mitt smell. Personally, I like the smell, but other household members and vehicle passengers may find it overpowering.
Parting shots: I like the boots..a lot, and I look forward to their longevity. But what sets this company apart from (and ahead of) many other companies is their customer service. What attracts and keeps me loyal to product brands, is both dependable, durable goods and excellent customer service. When I called Tredagain with a question, a real live young lady answered the phone. She entertained and answered my questions, gave me her name and advised to call and ask for her personally, if there was ever a problem. To me…that's huge!
Tredagain Claystone Oxford boots receive 5 stars from me!
Tent camping near Immokalee, Florida offers a unique blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure, perfect for those looking to escape into the wilderness.
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Immokalee, FL is Caloosahatchee Regional Park with a 4.4-star rating from 7 reviews.
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