9
Total Campsites
Campground
—
Reservable Sites
Mostly first-come
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Accessible
ADA-compliant sites
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Organization
Managing agency
Overview
About Gator Head Campground
Overview Gator Head Campground is a primitive campground located within the Bear Island Unit of Big Cypress National Preserve. (THIS CAMPGROUND CAN ONLY BE ACCESSED WITH AN ORV PERMIT, FOOT, OR BICYCLE) THE GATE COMBO WILL ONLY BE GIVEN IF YOU HAVE THE PROPER ORV PERMIT AT THE PERMITING OFFICE. All ORVs must have a valid ORV permit . All campers must also carry a Backcountry permit . Cell phone service is limited and it is highly encouraged that reservations be made in advance. Recreation The freshwaters of the Big Cypress Swamp, essential to the health of the neighboring Everglades, support the rich marine estuaries along Florida’s southwest coast. Protecting over 720,000 acres of this vast swamp, Big Cypress National Preserve contains a mixture of tropical and temperate plant communities that are home to a diversity of wildlife, including the elusive Florida Panther. Gator Head Campground offers visitors a wonderful opportunity to camp at a designated campground in the Big Cypress backcountry. Visitors can enjoy nearby hiking, hunting, fishing, and off-road vehicle (ORV) trails with a permitted off-road vehicle. For more information on ORV use, please call 239-631-9988 or review park Off Road Vehicle Use information. Hunting and fishing regulations can be found at Florida Fish and Wildfire Conservation Commission . Facilities The freshwaters of the Big Cypress Swamp, essential to the health of the neighboring Everglades, support the rich marine estuaries along Florida’s southwest coast. Protecting over 720,000 acres of this vast swamp, Big Cypress National Preserve contains a mixture of tropical and temperate plant communities that are home to a diversity of wildlife, including the elusive Florida Panther. Gator Head Campground offers visitors a wonderful opportunity to camp at a designated campground in the Big Cypress backcountry. Visitors can enjoy nearby hiking, hunting, fishing, and off-road vehicle (ORV) trails with a permitted off-road vehicle. For more information on ORV use, please call 239-631-9988 or review park Off Road Vehicle Use information. Hunting and fishing regulations can be found at Florida Fish and Wildfire Conservation Commission . Natural Features Gator Head Campground has 9 campsites. This campground offers pickup camper and tent camping only. No trailers or RV's are allowed in the backcountry. Amenities include vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings. Visitors may enjoy nearby activities such as off-road vehicle trails, hiking, biking, fishing, and hunting. contact_info For facility specific information, please call (239) 631-9988. Nearby Attractions The Bear Island Unit offers 20 plus miles of backcountry trails. Everglades City is located 30 miles south and provides dining, sight-seeing, and historical sites. Everglades National Park can also be accessed via Everglades City. Nathaniel P. Reed Visitor Center is also located 30 miles to the south.
- 9 total campsites listed.
- Primarily first-come camping based on current listing data.
- Most common site type: unknown (9).
- Map coordinates are available for trip planning.
Our Take
What makes Gator Head Campground special
Wild, flat, and gloriously untamed, Gator Head Campground drops you into the heart of the Bear Island Unit of Big Cypress National Preserve near Ochopee, Florida. This primitive nine-site campground is about as far from glamping as you can get, and that is entirely the appeal. The landscape here is classic South Florida backcountry: sawgrass prairies, cypress domes, slash pine stands, and the ever-present possibility of spotting an alligator, a Florida panther track, or a wood stork gliding overhead. Big Cypress National Preserve protects over 700,000 acres of subtropical wilderness that serves as a critical buffer for the Everglades. The Bear Island area offers some of the best off-road exploration in the preserve, with trails and unpaved roads winding through a landscape that floods seasonally and transforms with the rains. Birding is exceptional year-round, and wildlife viewing opportunities are among the finest in the Southeast. The dry season, roughly November through April, is the best time to camp here. Summer brings intense heat, thunderstorms, and mosquitoes that can be genuinely formidable. The nine sites are basic and require self-sufficiency. Bring all your water, supplies, and bug protection. Road conditions can vary with weather, so check with the preserve before heading in. For adventurous campers drawn to raw, subtropical wilderness where the wild things still roam freely, Gator Head is an unforgettable experience.
Campsite Inventory
9 sites to choose from
Unknown
0
Reservable
0
Accessible
Amenities & Details
Everything you need to know
Check-in time
02:00 PM
Check-out time
12:00 PM
Reservations & Contact
Plan your stay
Phone
239-695-1117
bicy_information@nps.gov
Getting There
From Naples: Head east on HWY 41 turn left on Turner River Rd, then go approx 20 miles up the dirt road until you come to a check station then turn left. YOU MUST HAVE AN ORV PERMIT AND GATE COMBO TO ACCESS THIS CAMPGROUND. Once in the gate you will come to a T intersection where you will then turn right and follow the trail until you come to the campground on the left. From Miami: You will head west then same directions as above.
FAQ
Common questions
Everything you need to know before your trip to Gator Head Campground .
How do reservations work for Gator Head Campground ?
Reservation availability for Gator Head Campground can vary by season and campsite type. Check the contact and access section before booking.
What campsite types are available at Gator Head Campground ?
Gator Head Campground currently lists Unknown (9).
Where is Gator Head Campground located?
Gator Head Campground is in Florida near Ochopee. Coordinates: 26.2238, -81.2678.
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