Camping and Glamping in Miami's National Parks

Answer the call of the wild. There’s no better way to experience the serenity and beauty of the outdoors than by camping in one of Miami’s national parks. If your dream vacation is playing in nature and sleeping under the stars, several campsites in the area open up a world of adventure and offer rare wildlife sightings. There are even glamping (fancy camping) options for those who desire creature comforts while soaking up our natural wonders. No matter how you choose to stay, you’ll crave more in-the-wild sleepovers.

Camp In The Wilderness at Everglades National Park

Untamed Everglades National Park offers something special for campers. Located about an hour’s drive from Downtown Miami, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site with various ecosystems and the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States. Adventure runs high, as birders flock here for the varieties of land and sea birds, and it’s the only place in North America where you can see the American crocodile and alligator in the same place.

If you don’t feel like roughing it, you could sleep in comfort at one of the 24 contemporary rooms and suites at The Flamingo Lodge & Restaurant. But if camping or glamping are your thing, there are plenty of options.

Traditional Camping: A True Outdoor Adventure

For traditionalists looking to sleep in a tent or get some peaceful shut-eye in an RV, there are two traditional camping sites inside the park: Long Pine Key Campground and Flamingo Campground. Long Pine Key, open November 1 through April 30, has amenities like bathhouses, a dump station and a potable water filling station. Staying here gives campers access to the Long Pine Key Trail and a fishing pond. Camping fees range from $33 to $38.50, depending on the day, and $60 for group sites.

You can camp year-round at Flamingo Campground, perched along Florida Bay and offering a myriad of activities for visitors. Flamingo has bathhouses, dump stations, picnic tables, grills and an amphitheater for winter programs. Staying here also places guests close to daily boat tours, such as the popular Backcountry Boat Tour, which weaves through the mangrove swamp for major wildlife sightings. You can also rent a kayak or canoe (or bring your own).

Glamping and Houseboats: Unique Stays at Everglades National Park

Glamping at Everglades National Park with Flamingo Adventures is a way to comfortably retreat to a safari-style tent on a raised platform meant to keep you away from the critters and the elements. The summer glamping tents (available May 1-October 31) come with amenities like a fan and electricity, and there’s plenty of room for your own portable sleeping system. The winter glamping tents (Nov. 1–April 30), have beds, a fan and outlets for charging phones. All glamping guests have access to a pass-code accessible bathroom and separate eating area.

Looking for another unique stay that doesn’t require roughing it? Reserve one of the 42-foot houseboats fitted with essentials like air conditioning, beds, showers and cooking equipment. Think of this as a floating hotel. You can even take the boats to explore the backcountry.

Camp in Big Cypress National Preserve and Explore Florida’s Wild Beauty

For an incredible experience that exposes campers to Florida’s wild and wondrous side, head to Big Cypress National Preserve, about 90 minutes west of Downtown Miami. Set on more than 700,000 acres covered in swamps, hardwood hammocks, mangroves and a variety of plant species, the park’s magnitude and diversity are incredible. You never know what you might see, including birds and reptiles, like gators – and if you’re lucky, maybe even a Florida panther. Plus, it’s a standout spot for camping and gazing at the stars.

There are eight campgrounds to choose from, and some campsites have tents, RV hookups, drinking water and vault toilets. However, you’ll want to be self-sufficient and bring everything you’ll need, from water to food, and be sure to check weather conditions before you go. If you want to go off the grid to commune with nature, head into the backcountry and rough it at Burns Lake Campground (you will need a backcountry permit). There is a picnic area, vault toilets and backcountry access parking, but that’s it; bring your own camping gear, food, water and supplies. Prices to camp in Big Cypress National Preserve range from $10 to $30.

Once you’re inside Big Cypress, adventure is everywhere. Embark on several different scenic drives, such as a 17-mile loop through wet prairies and areas where you’ll spot wading birds, or join a ranger-led activity, like a two-hour swamp walk or kayak or canoe through Turner River. At night, all eyes should be on the sky: Big Cypress is an International Dark Sky Place, which means light-free surroundings and a sky show you won’t want to miss. During the winter months, join a monthly astronomy program.

Escape to Biscayne National Park for Waterfront Camping

Biscayne National Park is an aquatic wonderland where campers can snorkel vibrant coral reefs, fish for their dinner (a license is required) or simply soak up the solitude and stunning scenery. There are two campgrounds on the islands of Elliott Key and Boca Chita Key. The islands are accessible only by boat, but consider getting to them part of the adventure.

There are no eateries or supply stores on the islands, so come prepared with everything you need. Boca Chita Key is the park’s most-visited island and is beloved by campers for its water views, historic lighthouse (you can no longer go inside it), short hiking trail and a grassy camping area with picnic tables and grills. There are toilets, but there are no showers, sinks or drinking water.

At Elliott Key, the park’s largest island, you’ll find picnic tables, barbeque grills, and restrooms with cold showers and sinks; while drinking water is available, you’ll want to bring backup water in case the system goes down. Elliott Key is favored by visitors for its incredible wildlife viewing and the Spite Highway, a nature-rich hiking trial that cuts a six-mile swath through the center of island. Boaters have access to 33 slips in the marina.

There is a $25 docking fee at both islands, and the cost to camp is $35 a night. Pro tip: If you don’t have a boat but want to briefly explore the islands of Biscayne National Park, book a boat tour with Biscayne National Park Institute.

And if you’re craving even more time in nature, discover more camping options in Greater Miami & Miami Beach.