Spanning the southern section of Florida, the Florida Everglades are considered subtropical wetlands. The area is comprised of swamps, marshes, rivers and lakes. Camping in the diverse terrain affords visitors a variety of camping options depending on the campers' level of comfort in untouched areas such as the deep swamp sections.
Two types of camping are sanctioned by the National Park Service in the Everglades. "Frontcountry camping" covers the area easily accessible by vehicle from major and primary roads and entrances into the park. "Backcountry camping" refers to the campsites located deeper in the Everglades that are primarily accessible via boat or rough terrain hiking.
The Everglades are filled with animals, including alligators and panthers, which live amongst the tall grasses and can pose a danger to campers. The murky waters coupled with the thick fauna can disorient campers, even those familiar with the territory. Because of the inherent dangers of the wetlands, campers should have safety plans in place prior to venturing out to camp.
