Gator Head Campground
Campground · Florida · 9 bookable sites ·
Managed by the National Park Service
Big Cypress National Preserve (National Preserve) · Open Access
- 9
- Bookable sites
- 17 ft
- Elevation
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.
The facts
- 9 bookable sites
Site types
- 9 Standard Nonelectric
9 campsites at Gator Head Campground
Check-in 02:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | — | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| 2 | — | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| 3 | — | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| 4 | — | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| 5 | — | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| 6 | — | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| 7 | — | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| 8 | — | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| 9 | — | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — |
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.
26.22380, -81.26780 · 26°13'25.7"N 81°16'4.1"W
Typical weather
Typically 92°F in Jul, down to 75°F in Jan.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 75 | 78 | 81 | 85 | 89 | 91 | 92 | 92 | 90 | 86 | 81 | 77 |
| Low °F | 52 | 55 | 57 | 61 | 66 | 71 | 73 | 74 | 73 | 68 | 61 | 55 |
| Precip in | 2.6 | 2.3 | 2.8 | 2.9 | 5.1 | 10.1 | 8.8 | 9.1 | 6.7 | 3.6 | 2.1 | 1.9 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 18.3 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
Fees and stay limits
Fees are $10 per site all reservations must be made on Rec.gov
From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Gator Head Campground
- Can you reserve a site at Gator Head Campground?
- Yes, Gator Head Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Gator Head Campground have?
- 9 sites.
Camping near Gator Head Campground
- Pink Jeep Campground 21 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Burns Lake Campground 23.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Monument Lake Campground 26.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Midway Campground (FL) 31.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Mitchell Landing Campground 38.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Pinecrest Group Campground 38.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Ortona South 39 mi · Campground · we watch it
- W.P. Franklin South Recreation Area 43.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Pink Jeep 1.8 mi · Facility
- Nathaniel P. Reed Visitor Center 22.6 mi · Facility
- Marjory Stoneman Douglas Visitor Center (Gulf Coast) 27.1 mi · Facility
- Oasis Visitor Center 29.2 mi · Visitor Center
Contact
- Phone 239-695-1117
- Email bicy_information@nps.gov
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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