Bear Island Campground
Bear Island Campground is a primitive campground located in Big Cypress National Preserve. Access to the campground is at the end of a 20-mile secondary gravel road. Located nearby are Gator Head and Pink Jeep campgrounds. Cell phone service is limited and it is highly encouraged that reservations be made in advance. Bear Island campground has 40 campsites. Campsites 1-12 are open year round. Campsites 13-40 are open August 15- April 15. The campground offers tent and RV camping. Amenities include vault toilets, fire rings, shared food storage, and picnic tables. Visitors may enjoy nearby activities such as off-road vehicle trail access, hiking, and hunting.
More like this: reservable in Florida · pets allowed in Florida · dark sky in Florida
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 40 |
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | Campsites are $10.00 a night. |
| Dark sky | Inside Big Cypress National Preserve, a certified International Dark Sky Park |
Bear Island Campground is a primitive campground only accessible down a 20-mile secondary gravel road. Campsites have gravel or grass pads. It offers vault toilets, picnic tables, shared food storage, and fire rings. There is no water available.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
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. Follow Turner River Road approximately 20 miles and turn right into Bear Island Campground.
| Nearest town | Ochopee, Florida |
| Area | Recreation.gov lists no exact point for this campground. The recreation area is at 25.97° N, 81.08° W. Call the office before you drive. |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedSet Cpi 6 Rx 1015
22 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Explore
Video
Almost FREE Camping in South Florida! Bear Island Campground in the Big Cypress National P
Natural features
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.
Recreation
Bear Island Campground is the perfect location to enjoy much of what Big Cypress National Preserve has to offer. Visitors can enjoy nearby hiking, hunting, fishing, and off-road vehicle (ORV) trails with a permitted off-road vehicle.
Nearby
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.
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Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Bear Island Campground?
Sites at Bear Island Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Bear Island Campground?
Campsites are $10.00 a night.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Bear Island Campground?
Check-in 02:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Bear Island Campground have?
40 sites, including 40 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to Bear Island Campground?
Bear Island Campground is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Bear Island Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Bear Island Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Bear Island Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
Is Bear Island Campground good for stargazing?
Yes. Bear Island Campground sits inside Big Cypress National Preserve, a certified International Dark Sky Park.
Source: DarkSky International
What is there to do at Bear Island Campground?
Bear Island Campground is the perfect location to enjoy much of what Big Cypress National Preserve has to offer. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Bear Island Campground?
Ochopee, Florida. The Bear Island Unit offers 20 plus miles of backcountry trails.
Source: Getting there
Which national park is Bear Island Campground in?
Bear Island Campground is a Big Cypress National Preserve campground. Entrance fees, alerts, and hours are on Park Atlas.
Source: Big Cypress National Preserve