Bear Island Campground
Sites 1-12 are open year-round. Sites 13-40 are closed for the season and reopen August 15. Reservations available via Recreation.gov. Cell service is limited; reservations encouraged in advance. Maximum stay is 180 days within any 12-month period.
Kirby Storter - Partial Reopen
As of 11/4/2024, the Kirby Storter Boardwalk will reopen to the public. Note that the boardwalk is only open part of the way, as rebuilding has not yet begun.
Off Road Vehicle Inspections
ORV renewals & new permits will be issued at the Nathanial P. Reed Visitor Center Friday-Monday, 9am-1:30pm. No permits will be issued Tuesday-Thursday. Permits will be issued first-come first-served. Visit our ORV page for more information
Park Passes
Park passes, including: America the Beautiful, Veteran, Lifetime, etc., are UNAVAILABLE for purchase/pickup within Big Cypress. Shark Valley Visitor Center (Everglades) is the closest location to Big Cypress for purchase.
Big Cypress National Preserve issues temporary closure for Mullet Prescribed Fire
Big Cypress National Preserve has issued a temporary closure during prescribed fire activity beginning June 9, 2025. To learn more about what areas and activities the closure entails, click the link
About
Bear Island Campground provides a remote camping experience in the heart of Big Cypress National Preserve. Reaching the campground requires traversing a 20-mile secondary gravel road via Turner River Road from US Highway 41. The 40 designated campsites accommodate both tent and RV camping on gravel or grass pads, though the primitive nature of the site means no hookups, dump stations, or potable water are available. The campground serves as a base for exploring the Bear Island Unit, which features over 20 miles of backcountry trails accessible by permitted off-road vehicles. Hunting and fishing are popular activities, with regulations governed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Everglades City lies 30 miles south, offering dining and access to Everglades National Park. Big Cypress National Preserve protects over 720,000 acres of the vast freshwater swamp that feeds the Everglades and Gulf Coast estuaries. The preserve's mix of tropical and temperate plant communities supports diverse wildlife, including the endangered Florida panther.
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 and continue 20 miles to the campground.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $10 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| bicy_recreation@nps.gov | |
| Phone | +1 (239) 631-9988 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Useful Links
| View on Recreation.gov | |
| Reservations | |
| NPS Bear Island Campground |
Availability
Photos
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