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For those impacted, alternate launch sites are available in the local area.
These include: Everglades Bait and Tackle and the Rod & Gun Club in Everglades City and Outdoor Resorts of Chokoloskee and the Chokoloskee Island Park and Marina in Chokoloskee.
Fees at these sites vary. Contact these sites directly for more information.
The Marjory Stoneman Douglas Wilderness Area, found within Everglades National Park, is the largest subtropical Wilderness in the United States. Everglades National Park protects an unparalleled landscape that provides important habitat for numerous rare and endangered species like the manatee, American crocodile, and the elusive Florida panther.
Everglades National Park designates campsites to prevent resource damage and to improve visitor experience by focusing camping impacts on resilient sites. There are currently three distinct types of campsites within the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Wilderness or other areas managed as Wilderness- chickees, ground sites, and beach sites.
Chickee Sites
Chickee sites are located along waterways and bays where dry land is inaccessible for camping. Comprised of elevated platforms with roofs, chickees give campers a unique experience of camping above the water's surface. Chickee platforms are 10 ft x 12 ft and are built to hold a maximum of 6 people or 1 group per platform. A group's tents must fit on one reserved platform. A portable toilet is provided at each chickee. Campfires are not allowed. There are 17 chickee sites in Everglades National Park, twelve of which are double-chickees.
Ground Sites
Ground sites are located along interior bays and rivers, typically on mounds of earth a few feet above the surrounding mangroves. Ground sites can accommodate larger groups and can hold multiple parties. Campfires, as well as wood, charcoal, and coal-fueled grills and stoves are not permitted, so the use of gas grills or gas stoves is required. There are 13 ground sites in Everglades National Park.
Beach Sites
Beach sites are located on the coast and provide opportunities for camping on the sand along the shoreline. Coastal breeze during ideal conditions makes insects scarce at times. Beach sites are the only type of campsite in the Wilderness where campfires are allowed, but fires must be built below high-tide line. There are 15 beach sites in Everglades National Park.
Any wilderness camping outside of designated campsite types listed above (ex: Shark River Slough) requires a Special Use Permit from the Chief Ranger’s Office.
A permit is not required for nights camping/sleeping aboard boats that are anchored out of sight of chickees and 1/4 mile from occupied beach or ground sites.
Groups over 6 people may call the Guy Bradley Visitor Center with questions regarding group reservations.
This permit allows the permit holder and their group to overnight camp at designated campsites within the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Wilderness. Reservations can be made online, year-round, 90-days before trip start date on a rolling basis. Reservations open daily at 10:00AM Eastern Standard Time. Making separate reservations for each night is not necessary. One permit/reservation per trip.
Your reservation confirmation email will serve as your permit. You are NOT required to pick up a physical permit in person, but you are required to carry a physical copy or screenshot of your final itinerary.
Administrative Fee: There is a $21 non-refundable adminstrative fee.
Recreation Fee: A $2 per person, per night recreation fee is required for the length of a reservation.
Abuse of the permit system (multiple permits, false information, etc) can result in cancellation of your permit and potential for you to be added to a restricted list.
Cancellation Policy: The permit holder may cancel their permit at any point prior to permit issuance/printing – no refunds are provided on cancellation of a permit reservation. Quota from cancelled permits will be immediately released and available to the public upon cancellation.
Change Policy: Once created, the permit holder may modify their group size or itinerary locations prior to permit issuance/printing. If the group size is increased (quota permitting), the permit holder will be required to pay the additional $2 per person, per night recreation fee. If group size is reduced at any point, no refund is provided. The permit holder may not modify their permit start date; if the permit holder would like to change their start date, they will be required to cancel their existing reservation and book a new reservation.
40001 State Road 9336 Homestead FL 33034
(239) 695-2945 Guy Bradley Visitor Center/Flamingo
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