Everglades National Park Camping and Lodging Information

Everglades National Park is the largest subtropical wilderness in America, protecting the 25% of the original Everglades. Located in the Miami-Dade County, Florida, the park was established in 1947, aiming to protect the endangered ecosystem as well the threatened species. There are 36 species which are designated as threatened living in the park, plus 350+ species of birds, 300 species of fish and lots more.

Everglades National Park on Wiki

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everglades_National_Park

Everglades National Park Visitors Guide

http://www.everglades.national-park.com/visit.htm

Each year, over one million visitors jump to the park, and the peak season stretches from December to March when the temperatures are lowest. The must do thing at Everglades National Park is camping! There are a large number of camping sites available year round throughout the park for your adventure. If you are interested about this attraction, please keep reading, for this article will offer you a complete guide on camping and lodging.

First let's talk about on-site camping.

- There are three large campgrounds within the park, respectively Chekika, Flamingo and Long Pine Key. Chekika is found six miles west of Krome Avenue. Currently this campground is only open for day-use, but not available for camping overnight for the damage by the Hurricane Irene in 1999. To make reservation for campsites at Flamingo and Long Pine Key, please call at 1-800-365-2267.

Location: Flamingo Campground is located at the end of the main park road of Flamingo Visitor Center and 234 campsites are available here. Long Pine Key Campground is situated off the main road and near the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center, offering 108 campsites for all visitors.

Fees: It is noteworthy that camping from June through August is free. And from May to October, camping is by self-registration at all campsites. The regular price is $14 per person at both Flamingo and Long Pine Key Campground.

When it comes to group camping (maximum of 15 persons in the group), there is one site at Long Pine Key Campground and four at Flamingo. The rate of group camping is $28 each night. For group reservation, you can call 305-242-77.

Time Regulations: The check-out time is 11 am every day and you are suggested to arrive at least three hours earlier in order to get chance of obtaining a site, for all the campsites are operated on a first come, first served basis if no reservation has been made. If you want to re-register, please do it before the check-out time.

Please note that the consecutive camping is limited to 14 days during the winter season from November 1 to April 30. At the meantime, your camping can not exceed 30 years throughout a year in total.

10 pm to 6 am is the Quiet Time at Everglades National Park when you can not make noises. The Operating hours are from 8 am till 8 pm.

For more regulations on Food Storage, Water Disposal, Pets, Fires and more, please click:

Everglades National Park Camping Guide

http://www.everglades.national-park.com/camping.htm

- If you miss the opportunity of applying a campsite at the campgrounds above, never mind, as Everglades National Park has three additional backcountry campsites - Chickees, Ground Sites, and Beach Sites. Overnight camping at these three sites is required Backcountry Permits which should be displayed on your tent during your camping and be returned to the Ranger Station or Visitors Center before your leaving.

Backcountry Permit is charged at $10 for up to 6 persons, $20 for 7 to 12 persons, and $30 for 13 and more persons. You can purchase it at the following sites during the designated time daily.

Gulf Coast Center - 7:30 am to 4:45pm

Flamingo Visitor Center - 7:30 am to 5 pm

Main Entrance Station - 8 am to 5 pm

You can find more specific information about backcountry camping on the website of Everglades National Park Camping Guide.

The next topic is lodging. Maybe you are not tempted by the excitement of camping, or looking for a quiet night in a comfortable hotel room, all right, your desire will be fulfilled. If you prefer lodging inside the park, choose Flamingo Hotel which is the only lodging option available within the park. In addition, there are two accessible rooms inside.

If you want to lodge outside the park, Redland and Grove Inn Country Guest House are recommended.

- Redland is the oldest commercial building in Homestead which was opened since 1904. The hotel is striving to offer the premier services of lodging, dining, conferences and business meetings. Staying in Redland Hotel, you can be within 25 to 35 minutes from a number of natural attractions, such as Everglades National Park, Biscayne National Park and the Florida Keys. The physical location of this hotel is 5 South Flagler Avenue, Homestead. You can call toll free (800) 595-1904 for inquiry and reservation.

Redland

http://www.redlandhotel.com/

- Grove Inn Country Guest House is located at 22540 South West Krome Avenue, and very suitable for a family getaway. Nestled adjacent to Everglades National Park, Biscayne Underwater Park, Monkey Jungle and the "World Class" Fruit and Spice Park, Grove Inn provides 14 uniquely decorated guest rooms named after exotic fruits. In addition, lodging in Grove Inn Country Guest House avails you to access to Miami's stunning nightlife and beaches in 30 minutes.

Grove Inn Country Guesthouse

http://www.groveinn.com/