Can you camp in an RV inside the Everglades?

Yes. Flamingo Campground, at the southern end of the park, accommodates RVs. Some of the sites have electrical hookups, concentrated in a specific loop, but there is no water or sewer service at the sites—the campground has a dump station and a water fill station.

When is the best time to visit the Everglades?

From December to March, during the dry season: mild temperatures, fewer mosquitoes, and more animals gathered around water sources. From June to November, mosquitoes and the heat make outdoor activities impractical for most families.

Is it safe to camp near alligators?

Yes, as long as you follow the basic rules: don't step off the walkways, don't get too close to the shore, don't feed any animals, and don't leave food outside at night. The real risk comes from human behavior, not from the animals.

Will I definitely see an alligator?

It’s common to see them on the Anhinga Trail, especially at dawn and in the late afternoon during the dry season. Still, they’re wild animals: no one can guarantee you’ll see them, and be wary of anyone who claims otherwise.

How long does it take to get from Orlando to the Everglades?

About 400 to 450 km (250 to 280 miles) to Homestead, a four- to five-hour drive. The itinerary calls for at least two nights in the park to make the trip worthwhile.

Are you looking for a motorhome with a long range?

It helps a lot. Since the site doesn't have water or sewer hookups, you arrive with a full water tank and use the campground's dump station. Sites without power require full battery autonomy.

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The Everglades by RV: Sleeping at the End of the Continent, Among Alligators and Stars

Flamingo is located 61 km past the park entrance, at the southernmost point of the American continent. At night, there is no town, no cell phone signal, and no artificial light anywhere. A child raised in a big city often sees the entire sky there for the first time.

Why does this place work as a motorhome?

The half-hour airboat tour—which almost every Brazilian takes when leaving Miami—is just a superficial glimpse of the Everglades. The real experience is staying there: waking up in the park, hitting the trails before the sun gets too hot, and watching the swamp change color three times in a single day.

Without an RV, this is difficult. There are no hotels inside the park, and Flamingo is more than an hour away from any town—having to head back every late afternoon takes away exactly the hours that make it worthwhile.

The park's main road is straight, well-maintained, and free of traffic. It's one of the easiest stretches of road in Florida for first-time RV drivers.

Where RV Sleeps: Flamingo and What the Spot Is Really Like

Flamingo Campground is located at the southern tip of the park, facing Florida Bay. This is the factor that most often disrupts planning—and one that almost no Portuguese-language website explains: the sites with electrical hookups are concentrated in a specific loop, and **there is no water or sewer service at the sites**.

The campground has a wastewater disposal station and a water refill station, but the RV runs on its own power supply part of the time. In practice: arrive with a full water tank and an empty wastewater tank, and conserve water when showering as if you were on a boat.

There are also campsites without electricity—which are cheaper and more peaceful—but they require complete self-sufficiency. With a small child and hot weather, having power for the air conditioner makes a real difference.

There is a vehicle length limit for some parking spaces—check before choosing your RV model, because the premium model won't fit everywhere.

Reservation: The Window That Determines the Trip

The park's peak season runs from November through April, when the weather is ideal and demand skyrockets. Some spots can be reserved in advance, while others are available on a first-come, first-served basis; this varies by season and by loop.

During peak season, showing up without a reservation in the late afternoon is a bad idea: if there are no vacancies, the nearest alternative is more than an hour’s drive away, in the dark, with wildlife crossing the road.

The park entrance fee is charged separately from the daily camping fee. These are two separate payments, and the annual national parks pass is worth it if your itinerary includes more than one park.

Day-to-day life

Day 1: Enter through the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center, stop at the Anhinga Trail, and hike down to Flamingo with brief stops at the overlooks. Arriving while it’s still light out is the rule that guides everything.

Day 2: Morning on the water—canoeing or kayaking from Flamingo—and an afternoon of rest at the campground, which is a must in the heat. At dusk, a ranger program in the amphitheater.

Day 3: The Anhinga Trail again, at dawn. It’s the same trail as on the first day, yet it feels like a different trail: alligators, herons, cormorants, and turtles just a few meters away, with no paid tour and no engine noise.

The Anhinga is short, flat, and has a walkway—it works for a small child, a stroller, and a grandparent all in the same group.

With children

It's the most impressive attraction in the park for children ages 5 to 12: a large animal, clearly visible and up close, with no glass in the way.

Here’s the rule you need to keep in mind before getting out of the vehicle: never step off the walkway, never go near the riverbank, and never feed anything. Alligators that are fed lose their fear of people and become a problem for everyone.

The late-afternoon ranger program is usually free and is great for kids—even though it's in English, the visuals make up for it.

A night sky is a moment no one ever forgets. Bring a headlamp and let the kids stay up a little later than usual.

Best time of year — and the factor that determines whether the trip was a success

From December to March: dry season, mild temperatures, fewer mosquitoes, and a higher concentration of animals at watering holes. This is the only time frame that most families should consider.

From June to November, mosquitoes aren’t just a minor issue—they’re the deciding factor. At the height of summer, spending time outdoors at dusk is out of the question for most people, and no amount of insect repellent can completely solve the problem. This needs to be made crystal clear before anyone books a trip.

It's also hurricane season, with daily rain. Some of the park's facilities scale back operations during the summer.

How much does it cost?

Three costs: the park entrance fee, the daily camping fee (lower for sites without electricity), and fuel, which adds up due to the distance to the southern tip.

It's one of the most affordable destinations in Florida on a per-day basis. The extra cost comes from what you bring with you: water, food, and ice for two or three days, because there's no grocery store inside the park.

What Almost No One Talks About

There's no cell service along most of the route, and none in Flamingo either. Download the map and let whoever's staying home know that you'll be gone for two days.

Vultures damage the tires of a parked vehicle in the Flamingo area—the park distributes protective tarps for this very reason. It sounds like a joke until it actually happens.

Store food in sealed containers and don't leave anything out overnight: raccoons can open cooler bags.

The best times to see wildlife are at dawn and in the late afternoon. In the middle of the day, the marsh seems empty, and anyone who just passes through at that time will leave thinking there’s nothing to see.

Fuel: Fill up before entering. Fuel is limited inside the park.

How to Fit It Into a Trip to Orlando

From Orlando to Homestead, at the park entrance, it’s about 400 to 450 km (250 to 280 miles), a four- to five-hour drive. You can’t make a round trip in a single day—the itinerary calls for at least two nights in the park.

The ideal itinerary is five days, combining the Everglades and the Keys: the two entrances are just over an hour apart, and the drive between them is short.

If you only have three days, you're better off choosing the Gulf Coast or the headwaters, which are much closer to Orlando.

When It's Not Worth It

June through November, because of the mosquitoes and the heat.

A family with a baby or very young child who cannot tolerate insects or heat without constant air conditioning.

Tight schedule: just one night isn't worth the hours on the road.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you camp in an RV inside the Everglades?: Yes. Flamingo Campground, at the southern end of the park, accommodates RVs. Some of the sites have electrical hookups, concentrated in a specific loop, but there is no water or sewer service at the sites—the campground has a dump station and a water fill station.
When is the best time to visit the Everglades?: From December to March, during the dry season: mild temperatures, fewer mosquitoes, and more animals gathered around water sources. From June to November, mosquitoes and the heat make outdoor activities impractical for most families.
Is it safe to camp near alligators?: Yes, as long as you follow the basic rules: don't step off the walkways, don't get too close to the shore, don't feed any animals, and don't leave food outside at night. The real risk comes from human behavior, not from the animals.
Will I definitely see an alligator?: It’s common to see them on the Anhinga Trail, especially at dawn and in the late afternoon during the dry season. Still, they’re wild animals: no one can guarantee you’ll see them, and be wary of anyone who claims otherwise.
How long does it take to get from Orlando to the Everglades?: About 400 to 450 km (250 to 280 miles) to Homestead, a four- to five-hour drive. The itinerary calls for at least two nights in the park to make the trip worthwhile.
Are you looking for a motorhome with a long range?: It helps a lot. Since the site doesn't have water or sewer hookups, you arrive with a full water tank and use the campground's dump station. Sites without power require full battery autonomy.

Guides

Camping at Disney in an RV: Fort Wilderness Explained for Families — You wake up in a pine forest, surrounded by the scent of the woods and the sound of birdsong. You walk to the pier, hop on a boat, and disembark right in front of Magic Kingdom. It’s the same park day everyone else experiences—only it starts in a way no one will ever forget.
How to Fit a 4-Day RV Trip Into a Trip to Orlando — The trip to Orlando is already booked: flight, hotel, tickets, outlet mall. This guide covers the logistics of fitting in four days in an RV in the middle of all that—when to leave, what to do with the rental car, what to do with your luggage, and how many days before or after visiting the parks.
Swimming with Manatees in Crystal River: How It Works, When to Go, and What's True — The water is crystal clear and stays around 22 °C (72 °F) all year round. You wade in slowly, without splashing your legs, and wait. A half-metric-ton creature appears from the depths, swims by a meter away, and continues on its way as if you weren’t even there. It’s two hours from Orlando, and almost no Brazilians know it exists.
Florida's Springs by RV: 22-degree water just an hour from Orlando — Crystal-clear water flowing from the ground, a constant temperature of around 22 °C (72 °F) year-round, a forest all around, and almost no Brazilian tourists. Silver Springs has offered glass-bottom boat tours since the 19th century, and monkeys come down to the water’s edge. It’s just over an hour from the parks.
The Everglades by RV: Sleeping at the End of the Continent, Among Alligators and Stars — Flamingo is located 61 km past the park entrance, at the southernmost point of the American continent. At night, there is no town, no cell phone signal, and no artificial light anywhere. A child raised in a big city often sees the entire sky there for the first time.
Key West by RV: The Overseas Highway, Campgrounds, and What Nobody Tells You Ahead of Time — There are 42 bridges over turquoise water. In some spots, you can’t see land on either side—just the road and the sea—and it feels like you’ve taken a wrong turn and driven right into the ocean. Spending the night in Bahia Honda, with your RV just a few meters from the water, is the kind of night the family will talk about for years to come.
Renting an RV in Florida: How It Works for Brazilians — What Changes When Renting an RV (or Trailer) in Florida: Documents Required for Brazilian Citizens, the Difference Between an RV and a Trailer, Where to Camp Between Miami, Orlando, and the Keys, the Best Time to Visit, and What’s Usually Not Included in the Advertised Price.
RV Trip in the U.S.: The Complete Guide for Brazilians — How a motorhome (RV) trip through the United States works: driver’s license requirements for Brazilians, types of vehicles, where to stay, how many miles you drive per day, how much it costs, and the differences between driving yourself and having the RV set up for you at the campground.