Gator Head Campground

$10.00/night

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

33100 Tamiami Trail E
Ochopee, FL 34141

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

This small primitive campground offers nine sites with picnic tables, shared food storage, and fire rings. Vault toilets are available for use. There is no water available. 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. Big Cypress Swamp Welcome Center is also located 30 miles to the south.

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.

Camp site features

Fees

Fees are $10 per site all reservations must be made on Rec.gov

Directions

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.

Stay Limit

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

Reviews

7 reviews

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

1 stars

Bradford P

Site:

Reviewed 8 months ago

A very nice campground if you want to unplug and getaway! The vault toilet was kept up and campground hosts were great.

Donnie E

Site:

Reviewed 8 months ago

Very quiet and secluded plenty of wildlife to see

John P

Site:

Reviewed 10 months ago

Campsite 7 was nice - more privacy than most of the other sites. Hosts were very nice - latrine was clean.

Mike D

Site:

Reviewed 2 years ago

Lot of mosquitoes!

ANDREA H

Site:

Reviewed 2 years ago

I booked campsite 9 and it was so bad we decided not to stay. As sites 1-8 were perfectly mowed and had fire pits. Campsite 9 was overgrown and had no fire pit.

John B

Site:

Reviewed 3 years ago

I was the only one in the campground & it was all I expected. I saw deer, gators, turtles, & lots of birds. Heard a panther & had fish for the catching. The few staff I saw were exceptionally friendly & helpful. Been camping for over 60 years & this is one of the best experiences I’ve had in a public campground. Just remember it’s a primitive campground so bring plenty of water, firewood, & bug repellent & you won’t regret coming.

Availability

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

Reserve