Picnic Key

Campsites are located along the narrow beach. The channel offshore of the site is deep and swift with numerous oyster bars on the bottom. This site can be very buggy when calm and is exposed to westerly winds in stormy weather. Camp well above the high tide line. The Marjory Stoneman Douglas Wilderness Area, found within Everglades National Park, is the largest subtropical Wilderness in the United States. Everglades National Park protects an unparalleled landscape that provides important habitat for numerous rare and endangered species like the manatee, American crocodile, and the elusive Florida panther. Everglades National Park designates campsites to prevent resource damage and to improve visitor experience by focusing camping impacts on resilient sites. There are currently three distinct types of campsites within the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Wilderness or other areas managed as Wilderness— chickees, ground sites, and beach sites. Chickee Sites Chickee sites are located along waterways and bays where dry land is inaccessible for camping. Comprised of elevated wooden platforms with roofs, chickees give campers a unique experience of camping above the water's surface. Chickee platforms are 10 ft by 12 ft and are built to hold a maximum of 6 people or 1 group per platform. All of a group's tents must fit on one reserved platform. A portable toilet is provided at each chickee. Campfires are not allowed. There are 17 chickee sites in Everglades National Park, twelve of which are double-chickees. Ground Sites Ground sites are located along interior bays and rivers, typically on mounds of earth a few feet above the surrounding mangroves. Ground sites can accommodate larger groups and can hold multiple parties. Campfires, as well as wood, charcoal, and coal-fueled grills and stoves are not permitted, so the use of gas grills or gas stoves is required. There are 13 ground sites in Everglades National Park. Beach Sites Beach sites are located on the coast and provide opportunities for camping on the sand along the shoreline. Coastal breeze during ideal conditions makes insects scarce at times. Beach sites are the only type of campsite in Wilderness where campfires are allowed, but fires must be built below storm surge line. There are 15 beach sites in Everglades National Park. Any wilderness camping outside of designated campsite types listed above (ex: Shark River Slough) requires a Special Use Permit from the Chief Ranger’s Office. A permit is not required for nights camping/sleeping aboard boats that are anchored out of sight of chickees and 1/4 mile from occupied beach or ground sites. Groups over 6 people may call the Gulf Coast or Flamingo Visitor Centers with questions regarding accommodating large group reservations.