Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Ochopee, FL

Trail Lakes Campground accommodates pets across 150 sites with tent, RV, cabin, glamping, and yurt options. Big Cypress National Preserve campgrounds including Monument Lake, Burns Lake, and Midway also welcome pets with picnic tables and fire rings at each site. Collier-Seminole State Park Campground permits pets on leashes with electric and water hookups available. Chokoloskee RV Park and Outdoor Resorts-Chokoloskee Island provide pet-friendly accommodations with full hookups including electric, water, and sewer. Horseshoe Primitive Campground in Picayune Strand State Forest allows pets with electric hookups and picnic tables. Most campgrounds require pets to remain leashed at all times, and Trail Lakes Campground features two separate dog park areas for exercising pets.

Mosquitoes present a significant challenge when camping with pets in the Ochopee area, particularly during warmer months. Campers should pack appropriate insect repellent for both themselves and pet-safe options for their animals. The Big Cypress National Preserve campgrounds provide access to wildlife viewing opportunities but require vigilance with pets due to alligators in nearby waters. Signs at Midway Campground specifically warn against walking dogs on the lake side where alligators may be present. Campers should be aware that the Everglades ecosystem contains bears, panthers, and various reptiles, necessitating proper pet supervision. The campgrounds serve as excellent basecamps for exploring nearby attractions including airboat tours, boardwalk trails, and the Florida Trail, though pets must remain leashed on all trails and boardwalks.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Ochopee, Florida (45)

    1. Monument Lake Campground — Big Cypress National Preserve

    22 Reviews
    Ochopee, FL
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (239) 695-1205

    $24 - $28 / night

    "Campground: Monument Lake Campground, FL

    Monument Lake Campground is located within the Big Cypress National Preserve, Ochopee, FL."

    "Pros: right off the main road through the Everglades & Big Cypress, RV sites are all around a pond, boardwalk hikes nearby (short drive), visitor center and Native American museum nearby (short drive),"

    2. Trail Lakes Campground

    12 Reviews
    Ochopee, FL
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 504-6554

    $45 - $225 / night

    "Trail Lakes is a proper campground which is staffed and gated just off of Hwy 41 (Alligator Alley) on the west side in Ochopee. It's open all year long. "

    "My 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"

    3. Collier–Seminole State Park Campground

    30 Reviews
    Goodland, FL
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (239) 394-3397

    $22 / night

    "It is a well laid out Florida State Park campground In a mangrove swamp, making the mosquitoes horrible."

    "The lake was so beautiful. The cat walk trail was nice and maintained well. Loved the walking dredge history. The staff was really nice."

    4. Burns Lake Campground — Big Cypress National Preserve

    7 Reviews
    Ochopee, FL
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (239) 695-1205

    $24 / night

    "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."

    "Burns Lake is about midway between Naples and Miami, making it a great location to explore either of both of Big Cypress or Everglades National Park."

    5. Everglades Isle Motorcoach Retreat

    5 Reviews
    Everglades City, FL
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (239) 695-2600

    "In the future we will choose non waterfront or the furthest down from the entrance! Word of caution...watch for falling coconuts. One in the pic fell right next to where we were sitting."

    "I have to say i was very impressed with the resort and staff, it was way above my expectations, very close to Marco Island and Naples. I will dedinetly come back."

    6. Midway Campground — Big Cypress National Preserve

    17 Reviews
    Ochopee, FL
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (239) 695-1205

    $24 - $30 / night

    "Midway Campground- Ochopee, FL: We were here a few years ago and had to come back. This is a great campground in Big Cypress Wilderness Reserve at mile marker 52 on route 41 Tamiami trail."

    "I appreciated that he was around as it make me feel safer if I were to travel alone."

    7. Chokoloskee RV Park

    2 Reviews
    Everglades City, FL
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (239) 695-2414

    8. Outdoor Resorts-Chokoloskee Island

    1 Review
    Everglades City, FL
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (239) 695-2881

    9. Horseshoe Primitive Campground in Picayune Strand State Forest

    8 Reviews
    Naples, FL
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (239) 348-7557

    "Camping in Florida is not for the faint of heart, but for the adventurous...much like any state."

    "And a group of ladies on horseback went for a sunset trail ride, but after dark it was all mine."

    10. Bear Island Campground — Big Cypress National Preserve

    4 Reviews
    Big Cypress National Preserve, FL
    20 miles
    +1 (239) 695-1201

    $10 / night

    "We were close to the swamp and at night saw quite a few crayfish crawling around on the ground at night which was a first for me."

    "Bring everything you need because the drive in is over 20 miles of dirty/gravel roads. Plenty of wildlife. ORV trails if you obtain a permit. Trails also good for biking, hiking, and running."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 45 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Ochopee, FL

205 Reviews of 45 Ochopee Campgrounds


  • Joel R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 28, 2023

    Naples/Marco Island KOA Holiday

    Still in recovery mode

    This is a nice camping location…or will be when they complete renovations. They are still recovering from hurricane damage, so there was some construction and noise. The spaces are pretty tight, but not as bad as other places. And they are staggered so it feels roomier. we had a nice site with a shaded patio. Also a misquote problem! Lots of misquotes and no see-ums. But the pool, boat ramp, playground, and dog park are all open. 2 dog parks! The laundry, hot tub, and camp store are still closed. It’s close to the Big Cypress Wildlife area, and an easy drive to Everglades National Park.

  • R
    Apr. 13, 2024

    Collier–Seminole State Park Campground

    Nice facility- Horrible mosquitoes

    It is a well laid out Florida State Park campground In a mangrove swamp, making the mosquitoes horrible. There is access to a channel that you can rent a kayak or “Go Cat” to go all the way to the gulf, or use your own boat. The go cats are very cool and the guide you out in groups for around $150.

  • Rick P.
    Mar. 15, 2022

    Golden Palms Luxury Motorcoach Resort

    Simply Awful

    We had an exceptionally unpleasant experience due to the pet policy being misrepresented. We paid in advance, their policy, for the entire month of February. We had to sign a document stating the payment was not refundable. Before signing, we read through the policies that affected renters, like the pet policy and did not see anything out of line with other RV parks. We set up our exercise pens for the dogs, like we've done at every RV park for the last 30 years. We were informed that exercise pens violated their policy. We had not seen that and asked that it be shown to us. They showed a construction policy that stated owners were not allowed to build a fence on their property. We had not built anything on their property, but they maintained that an exercise pen was a fence and had to be taken down. Our dogs are quiet and love to bask in the warm sun. It felt like a cruel expectation for them to have to stay in our RV 24/7 for a full month. They suggested that we could tie our dogs out on the lawn, but they are escape artists and we could not risk them getting away. We again stated that we were not in any way violating their policy. They were very indifferent. We could not put our pets through being confined to and RV, so we immediately left. They refused to refund our money, offer a stay at another date or even offer any kindness at all. This is truly the worst experience and poorest treatment that we've ever had at an RV resort.

  • Stephanie Z.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 24, 2019

    Trail Lakes Campground

    Great basecamp for Everglades Adventures!

    I gave this campground 5 stars because it feels so different than the rest of the Campgrounds available in Big Cypress Reserve and Everglades National Park. 

    Trail Lakes is a proper campground which is staffed and gated just off of Hwy 41 (Alligator Alley) on the west side in Ochopee. It's open all year long. 

    For me, visiting in the off season, it felt nice to have the structure of the campground. Most of the other campgrounds I visited along 41 between Naples and Miami were completely empty of people, but full of signs warning campers of Panthers and alligators - and even bears. I had no idea Florida had bears. I didn't want to camp alone, so I loved that this campground had staff and a few other guests who might notice f I got eaten.

    The campground is open all year long, and has a small store in the camp office. 

    The campground is built in several loops around a couple of lakes and has space for RV's and tents. If also offers cabins and some screened in open air huts (which I didn't stay in but they looked really cool). You could buy ice and firewood, as well as rent kayaks if you dared to boat through alligator swamps.

    There's not much in Ochopee, so stock up when you leave Miaimi or Naples (depending which way you drive). There are a few things available at the campground store.  There is a mini post office in Ochopee which is worth stopping for a photo opp. The airboat tours which are everywhere along the highway here are definitely worth it. 

    You can get their latest pricing for all their sites and cabins at www.evergladescamping.net

  • Stacey M.
    Sep. 30, 2017

    Koreshan State Park Campground

    Our favorite place close to home

    We camp Koreshan because it is literally less than 10 minutes from our house. We can set up camp and stay throughput the week even if the kids have school. It’s hard to book a weekend at any Florida campground in season so plan ahead if you want a Florida State park. This campground has short trails to hike through beautiful bamboo forests. A ramp for putting in your kayaks or SUPs as well as kayak rental. Locations to fish the river. You are a 20 minute drive to the beach from here. Very centrally located to shopping and farmers markets. Koreshan has a farmers market there at the park I believe on Sundays. The campsites have a fire pit and wood is sold at the entrance. It is a historic site of the early settlers of the area from the late 1800’s so there are historical buildings on site to tour. It is a pet friendly campground. The only reason I give this campground 4* rather than 5 is because of the road noise from Hwy 41 that it is off. It’s quite peaceful until you get a motorcycle racing up and down the highway at 2am. They do have specific sites if you wish to camp in hammocks. If you google the campground you should be able to find out which sites those are.

  • Kevin A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 4, 2021

    Midway Campground — Big Cypress National Preserve

    Great Campground---Great Location

    Midway Campground- Ochopee, FL: We were here a few years ago and had to come back. This is a great campground in Big Cypress Wilderness Reserve at mile marker 52 on route 41 Tamiami trail. No water or sewer hookups, but there is electric at the site, fire pit, picnic table and good sized spaced out sites. Dump station and potable water available. Host was very friendly and checked on campers regularly. The 26 mile loop road is very close and a great way to experience Florida & Big Cypress backcountry and wildlife from your car or bike. Plenty of hiking trails in the area as well.

  • Deborah M.
    Mar. 6, 2021

    Collier–Seminole State Park Campground

    Loved it

    What a beautiful park. The lake was so beautiful. The cat walk trail was nice and maintained well. Loved the walking dredge history. The staff was really nice.

  • Dave V.
    Jun. 1, 2018

    Collier–Seminole State Park Campground

    “Where the Wild Things Are”

    Collier-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!

  • 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.


Guide to Ochopee

Explore the great outdoors with your furry friends at some of the best pets-allowed camping spots near Ochopee, Florida. These campgrounds offer a variety of amenities and activities that cater to both you and your pets.

Tips for camping with dogs near Ochopee

  • Ensure your pet is comfortable in the outdoors by bringing their favorite bedding and toys to make the camping experience enjoyable.
  • Keep your dog on a leash at all times, especially in areas like the Collier–Seminole State Park Campground, where wildlife is abundant and trails can be busy.
  • Pack plenty of water and snacks for your pet, as some campgrounds, like Midway Campground, do not provide drinking water.

Pet-friendly campgrounds include

Dog-friendly activities while camping near Ochopee

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Ochopee, FL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Ochopee, FL is Monument Lake Campground — Big Cypress National Preserve with a 4.4-star rating from 22 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Ochopee, FL?

TheDyrt.com has all 45 dog-friendly camping locations near Ochopee, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.