Bear Island Campground

Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida

Sold out? We check Bear Island Campground for cancellations and email you the moment a site opens.

Cancellation alerts

Sold out for your dates?

ArriveLeave

Free to start. Email alerts included.

As of September 2026, Bear Island Campground is a campground in Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida with 40 campsites. Bear Island Campground is booked through Recreation.gov.

PermitSnag checks Bear Island Campground for availability and tells alert holders when a site opens up.

people allowed on each site: 6

Bear Island Campground reservations and next available dates

September 2026

October 2026

open, tap to book on Recreation.govsold outin your alert

Campsites at Bear Island Campground

12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940

Standard 40

Amenities

restrooms
potable water

At a glance: Access: Gravel road.

Things to do: fishing, hiking, wildlife, offroad.

All sites at Bear Island Campground, as listed by Recreation.gov

Site	Type	Sleeps
1	Standard	6
2	Standard	6
3	Standard	6
4	Standard	6
5	Standard	6
6	Standard	6
7	Standard	6
8	Standard	6
9	Standard	6
10	Standard	6
11	Standard	6
12	Standard	6
13	Standard	6
14	Standard	6
15	Standard	6
16	Standard	6
17	Standard	6
18	Standard	6
19	Standard	6
20	Standard	6

Site	Type	Sleeps
21	Standard	6
22	Standard	6
23	Standard	6
24	Standard	6
25	Standard	6
26	Standard	6
27	Standard	6
28	Standard	6
29	Standard	6
30	Standard	6
31	Standard	6
32	Standard	6
33	Standard	6
34	Standard	6
35	Standard	6
36	Standard	6
37	Standard	6
38	Standard	6
39	Standard	6
40	Standard	6

About Bear Island Campground

Overview

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.

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. For information on ORV use please call 239-631-9988.Hunting and fishing regulations can be found at myfwc.com.

Facilities

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.

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.

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.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (239) 631-9988.

Recreation.gov permit and campground cancellations →

Bear Island Campground FAQ

How hard is it to get a campsite at Bear Island Campground?

Bear Island Campground is rated "Very Hard to Book" based on historical demand. This campground is popular and often books out weeks in advance. Your best strategy is to monitor cancellations.

How do I find last-minute availability at Bear Island Campground?

Cancellations happen frequently at Bear Island Campground, especially 1-2 weeks before check-in dates. PermitSnag monitors availability 24/7 and sends instant alerts when sites open up due to cancellations. This is often the best way to snag popular campsites.

How many campsites does Bear Island Campground have?

Bear Island Campground has 40 campsites.