Gator Head Campground
Big Cypress National Preserve
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.
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.
Notifications and Alerts
Collier County put a burn ban in place on Feb. 11, 2025. Anyone who breaks the rules and causes major damage could face fines of up to $15,000. Collier County Officials made this call because of extremely dry conditions across most of the area.
The ban stops people from having open fires, outdoor burning, and trash burning outside city limits. People can still use grills, stoves, cookers, and smokers for outdoor food preparation.
Farmers, approved industrial burning, and Florida Forest Service and Federal prescribed fire work are allowed to continue.
The ban will remain in effect until further notice.
For more information, call 311 or (239) 252-4311
Need to Know
This campground is located in the backcountry and is only accessible by off-road vehicle (with permit), foot, or bicycle. No trailers are authorized in the backcountry campgrounds.
Backcountry permits are required for all individuals who enter the backcountry. Print your self-issued permit ahead of time.
An off-road vehicle (ORV) permit is required for ORV use. Review park Off-Road Vehicle Use or call the off-road vehicle office at 239-631-9988 if you have additional questions.
No fresh water is available.
Be considerate of your fellow campers by observing quiet hours from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am. All generators must be off at 10:00 pm.
Property left unattended longer than 24 hours will be impounded, and the campsite forfeited, regardless of whether or not it is reservable or non-reservable.
Cash payments are not accepted at this campground. Payments must be made online. There is limited to no cell service at the campground, advance reservations are highly recommended.
Do not feed the wildlife, including birds. This is unhealthy for wild animals and invites human confrontations. Food should be stored properly.
Don’t Move Firewood: Help protect our forests! Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it onsite. Moving firewood is illegal in some states. Visit dontmovefirewood.org to learn more.
Protect YOUR national preserve. Do not destroy, injure, deface, dig, collect or otherwise disturb any national preserve resources, including plants and animals (dead or alive), fossils, rocks, or artifacts. It is a violation of national preserve rules and regulations to possess natural/cultural resources. Metal detectors are not allowed in any unit of the National Park System. Please report any illegal activites to a park ranger.
Any violations of park rules or regulations will cause a revocation of your camping permit and no refund will be given.
No pets are allowed in the backcountry.
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.
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.
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.
Contact Information
Mailing
33100 Tamiami Trail E Ochopee FL 34141
Physical
Turner River Road Ochopee FL 34141
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 239-695-1117
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
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.
Available Campsites
- Site 7, Loop , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 3, Loop , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 1, Loop , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 6, Loop , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 8, Loop , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 2, Loop , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 4, Loop , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 9, Loop , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 5, Loop , Type Standard Nonelectric
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