Florida / Monroe County / Big Cypress National Preserve

Pinecrest Group Campground

Open — Open year-round with reservations via Recreation.gov. Unreserved sites available first-come, first-served. Maximum stay is 10 days during January 1 through April 30. Campground may close temporarily due to high water levels.

About

Pinecrest Group Campground is a primitive group camping facility located in Big Cypress National Preserve along historic Loop Road. The campground features four group sites in a peaceful clearing surrounded by pine and oak trees, with each site accommodating up to eight tents and 15 people. This is an ideal base camp for groups exploring the diverse ecosystems of south Florida. The campground is accessed via a secondary gravel road and offers a true backcountry experience with no water or toilet facilities provided. Campers must bring all necessary supplies and pack out all trash. Each site includes a picnic table and allows small campfires using only dead wood collected from the ground. The location provides excellent access to recreational activities including paddling, hiking, birding, fishing, and hunting with proper licensure. Pinecrest's location near the Miccosukee Cultural Center, Oasis Visitor Center, and Shark Valley makes it a convenient starting point for exploring the preserve's vast 729,000-acre swamp ecosystem. The campground meets minimum ADA requirements and can accommodate RVs up to 30 feet, though the primitive nature and gravel access road make it best suited for tent camping groups.

Directions

From Naples: Follow US HWY 41 east to Loop Road at Mile Marker 40. Take Loop Road south until you see signs for campground. From Miami: Follow US HWY 41 west to Loop Road at Mile Marker 40; take Loop Road south until you see signs for campground. Access via secondary gravel road.

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