Book your site at Long Pine Key Campground six to eight weeks ahead if you're aiming for a weekend stay between December and March. The 108-site campground is the only frontcountry camping option near the main entrance of Everglades National Park, and it fills fast. This guide covers fees, reservation options, seasonal timing, and the practical realities of sleeping under the slash pines in one of the most underrated campgrounds in the park system. For a broader overview of the park's camping options, see the complete visitor guide.
For more, see Campsites at Flamingo Campground (2026 Guide). For more, see Everglades Gear Guide: What to Pack for Swamp Walks & Wildlife Viewing (2026). For more, see Best of Everglades National Park: Airboats, Gators & Where to Actually Go (2026) and Everglades National Park Scenic Drives: Everglades Jeep Trails. For more, see Everglades National Park Guided Airboat Tour and Everglades National Park Weather. For more, see complete visitor guide, all campgrounds, hiking trails, and lodging and accommodations.Campground Overview and Fees
Long Pine Key Campground sits seven miles (11 km) from the park's main entrance near Homestead, just off the Main Park Road. The setting is dry pineland - elevated compared to the surrounding sawgrass marsh, which means fewer mosquitoes than you'd get in Flamingo but still plenty of humidity year-round. The campground is managed by the Flamingo Adventures concession and operates seasonally: open November through April, closed May through October. As of 2026, the official season runs those six months, though some years the opening slips into late November depending on weather.
Sites accommodate both tents and RVs, but don't expect hookups. No electric, no water at the sites - there's a dump station and potable water fill near the entrance. Each site comes with a picnic table, fire ring, and enough space for a moderate-sized rig or a couple of tents. Nightly fees as of 2026:
| Night | Cost |
|---|---|
| Monday-Thursday (tent/RV) | $33.00 |
| Friday-Sunday (tent/RV) | $38.50 |
| Group site (up to 15 people) | $60.00 |
A 10 percent discount applies for seniors, active and retired military, and Access Pass holders. The camping fee does not include the park entrance fee - you'll pay that separately at the gate. Payment is digital only: digital passes or credit/debit cards. No cash accepted anywhere in the park fee areas.
Site Types and Layout
All 108 sites are classified as both tent and RV, but the reality is that most are better suited for tents or smaller RVs. The longer rigs (over 30 feet) will find the loops tight, especially the inner curves. The loops are numbered A through D, with A and B closer to the entrance and slightly more open; C and D tuck deeper into the pines. There's no electric at any site, so if you need power for a CPAP or medical device, bring a battery pack. Generator use is allowed during quiet hours (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.), but rangers will tell you most campers prefer the silence of the pineland scrub.
Reservations and Booking Strategy
Reservations are available through the Flamingo Adventures booking line at (855) 708-2207 or by email at flamingoreservations@guestservices.com. You can book specific sites for both tent and RV spots, but a portion of sites are held for first-come, first-served walk-ups. The reservation window opens six months in advance. If you're planning a trip during the peak season (January through March), book as soon as the window opens.
The common mistake - and almost everyone makes it - is assuming that once Long Pine Key is full, you're out of luck. It's not. Flamingo Campground, roughly 30 miles down the Main Park Road, offers additional frontcountry sites and often has openings when Long Pine Key doesn't. Flamingo is right on Florida Bay, with more heat, more bugs, and a completely different atmosphere. But it's a backup worth knowing.
The parking situation here is straightforward: one vehicle per site, two vehicles max for group sites. Overflow parking is limited, and there's no space for extra cars at the entrance. If you're arriving with a second vehicle, plan to consolidate or park outside the campground.
What the Official Website Doesn't Mention
The reservation system doesn't show which specific sites are most shaded or have the best privacy. Experience tells you that sites on the outer edge of loops C and D back up against the pine forest and offer more separation. Sites near the restroom buildings get more foot traffic and light at night. The restrooms themselves are vault toilets - clean by national park standards but without running water. There are no showers.
What to Know Before You Go
Seasonal realities. November through April is the dry season in the Everglades. Daytime highs range from 70 to 85°F, nights dip into the 50s. Humidity is lower, and mosquitoes are manageable (not gone, but manageable). By May, the wet season hits: daily thunderstorms, 90°F heat, and insect populations that make camping uncomfortable. That's why the campground closes - not because the park wants to, but because nobody wants to sleep in that. Current conditions and alerts. As of early 2026, the US41 wildfire activity that caused temporary closures earlier in the season has subsided. All closures have been lifted. However, ongoing roadwork along US 41 (Tamiami Trail) may cause delays up to 15 minutes. This road runs along the park's northern boundary, so if you're approaching from the west or heading to the Shark Valley entrance, factor in extra time. The NPS recommends checking the Alerts & Conditions page before your trip for any last-minute changes. Packing the right gear. No hookups means you carry in everything. Bring your own water for drinking and cooking - the spigot at the dump station is potable but can be slow. A headlamp is essential; the campground gets dark early under the tree canopy. Firewood is available for purchase at the nearby entrance station, but you cannot bring wood from outside the park due to invasive species regulations. Wildlife etiquette. Raccoons, possums, and the occasional black bear visit the campground. Keep all food, coolers, and scented items locked in a hard-sided vehicle or a bear-proof canister overnight. The rangers are clear: a raccoon that gets into your food is a problem for the next 100 campers. Don't be that camper.Getting There
From the main entrance on State Road 9336 (just west of Homestead), drive seven miles into the park. The campground entrance is on your left. Cell service drops out a few miles before you reach the campground - download your directions and reservation confirmation ahead of time. The address is 40001 State Road 9336, Homestead, FL 33034, but the mailing address won't help much once you lose signal.
Final Thoughts
Long Pine Key Campground is the smart base camp for exploring the Everglades without committing to the 38-mile drive down to Flamingo. It's close to the Royal Palm and Anhinga Trail, the main visitor center, and the park's best short hikes. The trade-off is that it's a dry, dusty pineland rather than a waterfront site. You trade water views for cooler nights and fewer bugs. That's a fair deal.
Get there early if you're hoping for a first-come site - by noon on a Friday in February, the walk-up sites are gone. Once you're checked in, walk the perimeter loop before dinner. The light through the slash pines at 5 p.m., with the smell of sun-heated pine needles, is the kind of detail you won't get from the reservation screen.
For a complete rundown of every campground in the park, check the all campgrounds page. And if you're still deciding between Long Pine Key and Flamingo, the answer depends on whether you prioritize sleep (Long Pine Key) or sunrise over Florida Bay (Flamingo). You can't go wrong with either, but you should know the difference before you book.