Flamingo Campground in Everglades National Park is located 42 miles southwest of Homestead down FL Road 9336. This is truly off-the-grid camping (although there is an AT&T cell tower located at the campground-go figure). When we visited several years ago the buildings were shuttered and the premises showing signs of benign neglect. That has been transformed significantly with the change in concessionaire to Guest Services Inc. The grounds are now all mowed and the trees cut back to allow our 45’ long coach at 13’ height to easily maneuver to our campsite with vehicle in tow. This is still a rustic campground predominantly offering tent camping (Loop B, tent only area, offers solar heated showers in two conveniently located bathhouses). Loop C has not yet been reclaimed and is overgrown and the bathhouses shuttered; a potential for more Eco Tents, tenting and rv parking exists on Loop C. Recently a former tent area on Florida Bay was converted to glamping tents and offers large ‘yurt’ style tents (called ‘Eco Tents’) with double and queen beds, dresser, electric and shared hot shower bathhouse along with a shared cooking area. These are configured in clusters with views of the Florida Bay and all are connected with raised deck walkways. The T Loop is open exclusively to rv’s of any type and although the paved roads show age the turns are generous, vegetation cut back and up allowing easy access to the long and narrow 65’ length paved pads. The pads and tenting areas are level and flat. And there is no internet, no TV, nor phone service, although some neighbors did report access at the temporary Visitor Center (close to the Marina). The sites themselves are immense offering virtual privacy that even the most opulent of campgrounds appear to have considered unimportant. There are 65 sites in Loop T and 41 have electric, picnic table, and fire ring (water and sewer must be obtained at bathhouse wherein is located a dump station and potable water). The bathhouses although old and dated are clean and functional; none of the bathhouse showers offer heated water except the solar heated bathhouse in Loop B. During our stay in January we experienced a unique demographic among rv’s; although not scientific however anecdotal, about 20% of rv’s were Class B’s loaded with options, 69% comprised trailers and fifth wheels, 10% were pickup truck slide-ins, and 1% motorcoaches.
Opportunity abounds for adventure and one can rent canoes and kayaks, take advantage of daily boat tours narrated by a knowledgeable Park Ranger, choose one of many trails to hike, or even rent a houseboat. And in addition Guest Services Inc. is constructing a new 24 room lodge with a restaurant. The anticipated opening date is Fall 2021. Furthermore construction work is in progress to restore the iconic pink and coral visitor center damaged by two hurricanes in 2005 and will be a welcome sight adding to the historical charm of this old National Park. In addition the Park is replacing the boardwalk at West Lake that suffered severe damage from Irma in 2017.
Our favorite adventure is hiking the varied trails in Everglades NP. The occasion to view wildlife and indigenous fauna is an opportunity not to be lost.
The Takeaway: The large subtropical wilderness is available to all offering a diversity of adventures from kayaking, boat tours to hiking. The camping and rv campsites lacking FHU, are compensated by the ultra-wide sites, the off-the-grid experience, and night skies not compromised by light pollution. Remember to bring what you need-civilization is a long 42 miles back up FL Road 9336 to Homestead. However, the park store does carry basic essentials as well as ice cream. The opening of a new 24 room lodge with restaurant in the Fall 2021 will certainly bring more guests, though the real wilderness is experienced by camping. The bathhouses, although dated, are clean; the only heated showers are in tenting Loop B (heated by solar panels). Go to www.rickpicks.com for other reviews, critiques and essays with links to area attractions and a more detailed review of this park as well as reviews of restaurants, etc.
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