Monument Lake Campground — Big Cypress National Preserve

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.

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.

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.