Established Camping
Monument Lake Campground — Big Cypress National Preserve
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
A location closure has been issued, and the facility is closed at this time. Reservation-holders will receive an email with additional information. Please check back for location closure updates.
About
National Park Service
Big Cypress National Preserve
Overview
Monument Lake Campground is a beautiful place where visitors can enjoy the surrounding preserve while sitting at their picnic table. Visitors may enjoy nearby activities such as fishing, hiking through the preserve, and exploring the many boardwalks.
Recreation
Monument Lake Campground is centrally located in Big Cypress National Preserve offering a multitude of recreational activities including hiking, biking, fishing, hunting, photography, and off-road vehicle trails.
Facilities
This campground offers flush toilets and drinking water. Fire rings are available at the tent sites.
Natural Features
The RV campsites surround the lake offering a view from every site. Each campsite is open with limited to no shade. Tent sites are tucked away from the RV area and close to the campground host and restroom.
Nearby Attractions
Located just off the highway, this campground is close to the Oasis Visitor Center, Miccosukee Cultural Center, Shark Valley, and Clyde Butcher's Art Gallery.
contact_info
For facility specific information, please call (239) 631-9988.
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Stay Connected
- WiFiAvailable
- VerizonGood
- AT&TPoor
- T-MobileAvailable
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Phone Service
- WiFi
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Water Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
- Big Rig Friendly
Greatest of Cypress Camping
Monument Lake, Big Cypress: This is the best of the BCNP campgrounds in my opinion. It surrounds the largest of the campground lakes in BCNP and has gorgeous sunsets and sunrises. Easy to get to. The hosts all work hard and are kind. The big downsides are: GENERATORS: Hours allowed need to be shortened. Speed limit is double of Burns Lake resulting in excessive dust.
To Do: The smallest Post Office in the USA is close by. Oasis Visitor Center has gator viewing.
Visit all the nearby boardwalks are worth a visit.
Do a Ranger led wet walk. It is out of this world.
Drive to Shark Valley and take the tram (reservations are best), bicycle the 12 mile loop or walk part of it. The gates open at 9:00 AM for park parking. Fills up, thus slowing entry into the park. However, parking is available along the highway. We parked there, just past the no parking signs. We then walked in at sunrise for enjoyment before the crowds. Some folks were biking at that time as well. Beautiful. Gators began sunning themselves by 9:30AM or so.
Drive to Everglade City for a boat ride out to the bay. Fantastic experience. The BCNP Visitor Center can tell you who to contact to make reservations. We went on this trip a couple years ago.
Airboats and swamp buggy rides are popular. We did this as well, but preferred the other activities in the end. However, how can you pass up on a fun airboat experience.
Unlike the Everglades the full campsite discount is offered here.
(Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good
(70 yr olds in 17’ trailer. )
Overall Rating: 4 (should be a 5, but for poor generator usage rules. This negatively affected our stay this time, our 4th time here.)
Price 2023: $ 14 w interagency pass
Security: None except visitors must drive by host sites.
Usage during visit: Heavy
Site Privacy: None
Site Spacing: Close
Site surface: Grass
Reservations: Required
Campground Noise: Quiet except for one long running generator.
Road Noise: Some.
Through Traffic in campground: Little.
Electric Hookup: No
Sewer Hookup: No
Dump Station: At Midway.
Potable Water Available: At bathrooms
Generators: Allowed
Bathroom: Clean flush toilets.
Showers: Yes. Clean
Pull Throughs: No
Cell Service (AT&T): 3 bars.
Setting: Open, around lake.
Recent Weather: Cool and rainy.
Solar: Some sites are better than others
Host: 3 or 4
Rig Size: Large rigs present.
Sites: 27 - 34 e side of lake. Less shade, better solar. Beautiful sunset views. View of the grass prairie. 34 fine, but faces to pit toilet .
35 - 38: sunset view with day use area in front of lake view
1-3 west side of lake. Sunrise view .
14 - 26 north side of lake with better shade. 26 has a nice view of the grass prairie w shade. One of the best sites in my opinion.
- (9) View All
Campground around a nice lake
Better than described. Showers‼️ Very clean facilities. Potable water. Lake had Alligators in it. Fire ban. Great hosts. Another great stop in Big Cypress. Great fishing in the area. Fresh and salt. I saw multiple pythons nearby. No ground animals. None. Bugs weren’t bad. Try to get a site with shade, many didn’t. I spent 4 extra bucks and took an RV site in the back. Well worth it.
- (10) View All
Relaxing Campground
Quiet campground with cell tower nearby. Showers available including bathrooms and sinks. Also 2 vault toilets. Fresh water available. Fire rings however you have to buy firewood about 5 miles away. Camp host Chris is very friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable about the area. Generators must be off at 10:00 pm. Fishing allowed in lake. Campsites are quite level.
Location
Monument Lake Campground — Big Cypress National Preserve is located in Florida
Directions
From Naples: Follow US HWY 41 east until you see the sign for campground (approximately mile marker 59). From Miami: Follow US HIWY 41 west until you see the sign for campground (approximately mile marker 59)
Address
52105 Tamiami Trl E
Ochopee, FL 34141
Coordinates
25.8652611 N
81.1139806 W