Bear Island Campground

$10.00/night

Show on map 239-695-1117 bicy_recreation@nps.gov

33100 Tamiami Trail East
Ochopee, FL 34141

Estimated location

No source publishes exact coordinates for Bear Island Campground. Its map marker is estimated from the surrounding area and can be miles from the actual site — don't navigate to it. Its official page may have the detail needed to find it on the ground.

Overview

Bear Island Campground is a primitive campground located in Big Cypress National Preserve. Access to the campground is at the end of a 20-mile secondary gravel road. Located nearby are Gator Head and Pink Jeep campgrounds. Cell phone service is limited and it is highly encouraged that reservations be made in advance.

Bear Island campground has 40 campsites. Campsites 1-12 are open year round. Campsites 13-40 are open August 15- April 15. The campground offers tent and RV camping. Amenities include vault toilets, fire rings, shared food storage, and picnic tables. Visitors may enjoy nearby activities such as off-road vehicle trail access, hiking, and hunting.

Recreation

Bear Island Campground is the perfect location to enjoy much of what Big Cypress National Preserve has to offer. Visitors can enjoy nearby hiking, hunting, fishing, and off-road vehicle (ORV) trails with a permitted off-road vehicle. For information on ORV use please call 239-631-9988.Hunting and fishing regulations can be found at myfwc.com.

Facilities

Bear Island Campground is a primitive campground only accessible down a 20-mile secondary gravel road. Campsites have gravel or grass pads. It offers vault toilets, picnic tables, shared food storage, and fire rings. There is no water available.

Natural Features

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.

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.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (239) 631-9988.

Camp site features

Across 40 camp sites:

Fire pit: all 40 sites
Pets allowed: all 40 sites
Largest party: 6 people

Fees

Campsites are $10.00 a night.

Directions

From Naples follow US HWY 41 east to Turner River Road. Follow Turner River Road approximately 20 miles and turn right into Bear Island Campground. From Miami follow US HWY 41 west to Turner River Road. Follow Turner River Road approximately 20 miles and turn right into Bear Island Campground.

Stay Limit

Check in from 2 PM, check out by 12 PM.

Reviews

116 reviews

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 stars

Kristen H

Site:

Reviewed 10 days ago

The mosquitos were terrible but it was gorgeous! Most sites link with a grassy area/path, which can be good for groups. If you want a solo site, try 30 or 27. The drive to get there is one of the best parts so take your time!

David W

Site:

Reviewed 17 days ago

Clean and quiet

Humberto L

Site:

Reviewed a month ago

We enjoyed our stay at the campground. It is well kept buy visitors should be prepared for the mosquitos during the warmer wetter months and a 4 wheel drive vehicle is recommended during that time as the access along Turner River road can show seasonal degradation due to heavy rains.

Seamus D

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

Love this campsite. Go to it very frequently and enjoy the peace and quiet of nature. Appreciate the new firing installed at site 34.

Devin R

Site:

Reviewed 3 months ago

Beautiful area, went for a meteor shower and the sky did not disappoint! Even saw the Milky Way

Seamus D

Site:

Reviewed 3 months ago

I stay at Bear Island quite frequently and very much enjoy my stays there. I always find it well serviced and volunteers very friendly. This time campsites 1 - 12 were open. I stayed 2 nights on Friday & Sat. The trash was overflowing from the Bear Bins and did not see a ranger or volunteer over the 2 days

Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Reserve