If you are tenting, as we were, keep in mind that this campsite is the closest inside Everglades National Park to Miami. On the plus side, it is easy to access for most people. On the minus side, it is easy to access for most people. This small campground is nestled in a windless pine forest where sound carries easily and far. Just one group talking at medium to loud volume is all it takes to wreck the sleep of everyone staying nearby in a tent. For many, I would guess it is their first camping experience ever. 10 pm is the designated quiet hour, but it is completely ignored by campers. Park staff do NOTHING to enforce it. Earplugs barely cut through the din unless you are exhausted and a heavy sleeper.In contrast to the tent sites, RV and trailer sites are towards the front. There are no electrical hookups. Generators are allowed to run until 8 pm. If you're staying in a trailer or motor home, you are in luck! Your home on wheels will likely insulate you from the all-night-party commencing outside.So what can you do if you are tenting? A few tent sites are located closer to the front near the RVs. If you can, grab one. If not, avoid this place on weekends or skip it altogether. Flamingo is a better bet. It's windy beside the ocean and is more spread out. These factors make it quieter at night for tenting.
I camped out there for about 8 days. There are no hookups for RV's, but there is water and a dump station, plus very nice, clean, modern bathrooms for those in tents or who don't have full facilities in whatever they are traveling in.What I liked best about the place was the lack of amenities. There were no lights to spoil the night sky. No electricity for people to run their stereos and TV's all night long.What there was was peace, quiet, a campground where you didn't need to reserve a space months in advance to have a place to stay and a nice, central location to a lot of great scenery and hiking trails.
I stayed at this campground for a couple of nights in early February 2015. I liked my site at the far end of the campground by the amphitheater. The bugs were not bad. I enjoyed the evening ranger programs in the amphitheater. The bathrooms were very clean, but I REALLY missed not having showers. The campground's website says they always have vacancies, but on a Wednesday night, I drove 2 1/2 hours to the park, and they were FULL.
We took a 2 hour guided bike tour of the area. The park provides bikes, helmets, water bottles and a wonderful guide (Kurt - I think?) We just loved it - as avid cyclists this was nice and leisurely, but it was great to learn so much about the biology and geology of the area from a bike, and meet some nice new people! Oh - and the tour is free! Certainly one of the highlights of our trip!
When I returned to the Everglades, I wanted to spend more time on the Long Pine Key trails. Per the rangers May is the borderline for the insect outbreak, so I biked instead of hiking. What a great time. While Shark Valley is more popular for biking, Long Pine is a much better venue. I began at 8 and finished the 14 mile round trip before 10, which included time to walk around the lake at the far end. I started and finished at the campground. The 7 mile bike accessible trail takes you through primarily a wonderful Slash pine forest but you also cross sawgrass prairie and Hardwood Hammocks. On the far end there is a pond (did not see any gators in it) where you can get off your bike and take a break for water and food (bring with you). The insects were not a problem at all but may have been if hiking. The trail while in the wild is primarily along the limestone with some mud and plant material. It is really fairly easy. There are plants growing all around the path and stickers are present but I really did not feel them. Saw looks of wildlife, birds, frogs, fish and a box turtle crossing the path. Never saw another soul the entire time. It was incredibly fun and peaceful as well as great exercise. I would highly recommend this activity as one of the better things to do in the Everglades park, especially in the Pinelands.
This is the Key that has the tiny whitetail deer. The place to find them though is not in the reserve, but more along the roads. The Blue Hole sometimes have a couple of alligators in it.
sites well spaced out so you are not too cozy with the neighbors with very convenient comfort facilities... though no showers, for shower you need to go to flamingo, button up early and tight at night, mosquitoes everywhere
The Pinelands are one of the many habitats of the Everglades and Long Pine Key is the best place to experience it. There are several trails, camp grounds and picnic tables. As there are few food opportunities in the park, we packed sandwiches from Subway on Highway 1 and ate at Long Pine. It was a great setting for lunch under the pines. There is also a restroom facility right there. We enjoyed seeing several bird species while having lunch. Beware to not leave food on the table unattended, the crows can be aggressive and watch while you eat. Biking and hiking would be fun here but we had limited time and this is the least unique habitat in the park. Still if you have the time enjoy it. Also as a correction to some other post, nearly all the species of pine is Slash. While it can be confused with the Loblolly, Slash is very good in wet soil where loblolly is not.
It's about a 13 mile trip to go from the campgrounds to the lake and back. Beautiful views the whole trail!!! Very peaceful, sometimes the trail is completely empty. It's best when weather is cooler to avoid mosquitoes. We usually bring snacks and have them by the lake, we enjoy the view and have a little break before we head back.
Easy walk on a paved path through the pines. Different views than from other trails in the park. Worth a quick stop, then keep moving to other trails as you work your way down to Flamingo.