Wilderness Reservations and Permits FAQ

Sweetwater Chickee wilderness campsite in Everglades National Park

NPS Photo / Jane Gamble

 

Starting January 2, 2023, all Marjory Stoneman Douglas Wilderness campsites will only be available for advanced reservations on Recreation.gov. There will no longer be campsites held as "walk-up." Campsites will be open for reservations 90 days in advance. Rangers can still assist campers in booking an unreserved site on the day of their trip. This change allows campers to independently plan their wilderness camping itinerary. It also removes the need to travel to the visitor center to purchase "walk-up" sites. For questions about the Flamingo District please contact the Guy Bradley Visitor Center. For the Gulf Coast District, please direct questions to the Gulf Coast Visitor Center.

 

Where do I go to make an advanced reservation?

Please visit recreation.gov to make an advanced reservation for wilderness campsites.

How soon can I book my reservation?

Reservations are released daily on a rolling basis, 3 months in advance starting at 10 a.m. ET. You may book your reservation online up to and including the day of your trip.

If I don't want to register online, what should I do?

Recreation.gov offers the ability to make advanced reservations by telephone at 1-877-444-6777. Alternatively, rangers can assist with permits in person at the Gulf Coast or Flamingo Visitor Centers.

Can I register in person for advanced reservations?

Rangers can assist with permits in person at the Gulf Coast or Flamingo Visitor Centers.

Which sites will be available for walk-up reservations the day of or the day before?

Starting January 2, 2023, all Marjory Stoneman Douglas Wilderness campsites will only be available for advanced reservations on Recreation.gov. There will no longer be campsites held as "walk-up." Campsites will be open for reservations 90 days in advance. Rangers can still assist campers in booking an unreserved site on the day of their trip. This change allows campers to independently plan their wilderness camping itinerary. It also removes the need to travel to the visitor center to purchase "walk-up" sites. For questions about the Flamingo District please contact the Guy Bradley Visitor Center. For the Gulf Coast District, please direct questions to the Gulf Coast Visitor Center.

Do I need to pick up my permit at the visitor center?

No. Your Recreation.gov confirmation e-mail will serve as your permit. Please print a copy or save a digital copy of your reservation and carry that with you during your trip. You are no longer required to pick up a physical permit.

I'm coming from the Keys and staying at North Nest Key. Do I have to go to Flamingo for my permit?

No. Your Recreation.gov confirmation e-mail will serve as your permit. Please print a copy or save a digital copy of your reservation and carry that with you during your trip. You are no longer required to pick up a physical permit.

Call the Flamingo Visitor Center at [phone] if you have questions. You may call [phone] for these sites if no one is available at Flamingo during the summer.

Will un-reserved campsites be available for walk-up permits?

Rangers can assist with permits in person at the Gulf Coast or Flamingo Visitor Centers.

Where can I get trip planning help?

The Wilderness Trip Planner on Everglades National Park’s website is a great resource for trip planning. You may also call the Gulf Coast or Flamingo visitor centers to speak with park staff.

Can I make a reservation with my smart phone?

Yes, you can use your smart phone to make a reservation on Recreation.gov.

 

Additional FAQs are available at Recreation.gov.

Learn more about camping by visiting the Wilderness Camping page