Weekend availability at Gator Head Campground
Live from Recreation.gov · checked Sep 19, 7:34 PM PT- Fri, Sep 25Open9/9 sites
- Fri, Oct 2Open9/9 sites
- Fri, Oct 9Open8/9 sites
- Fri, Oct 16Open8/9 sites
- Fri, Oct 23Open9/9 sites
Friday + Saturday nights, sites bookable both nights. Counts come from a rotating sweep and can lag a cancellation by up to a day — alerts watch your exact dates within minutes.
How booked is Gator Head Campground?
as of September 20Sites are open right now — we found space out to Nov. That changes fast at a campground. We check Gator Head Campground around the clock, so the moment your dates fill up and a cancellation reopens them, you'll be first to know. Weekdays still have room — for now.
Weekends (Saturday night)
Weekdays (Wednesday night)
Availability checked directly against the reservation system, out to 3 months ahead.
Campsites & amenities
Site-level details from Recreation.gov's official catalog.
- Campsites
- 9
About this campground
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.
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.
Activities
- BIKING
- OFF ROAD VEHICLE TRAILS
- WILDLIFE VIEWING
- BIRDING
- CAMPING
- FISHING
Nearby federal campgrounds
- Gator HeadBig Cypress National Preserve0 mi
- Pink JeepBig Cypress National Preserve2 mi
- Pink Jeep CampgroundBig Cypress National Preserve21 mi
- Nathaniel P. Reed Visitor CenterBig Cypress National Preserve23 mi
- Burns Lake CampgroundBig Cypress National Preserve24 mi
- Marjory Stoneman Douglas Visitor Center (Gulf Coast)Everglades National Park27 mi
Never miss an opening at Gator Head Campground
Popular Florida campgrounds book out months ahead — but cancellations happen every day. We watch Gator Head Campground around the clock and alert you the moment a sold-out site reopens for your dates, so you don't have to keep refreshing Recreation.gov.
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Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office or on Recreation.gov before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.