Big Cypress National Preserve | MITCHELL LANDING CAMPGROUND

Mitchell Landing Campground at Big Cypress National Preserve

Mitchell Landing Campground at Big Cypress National Preserve


See the Campgrounds web page for an interactive location map.


CAMPING SEASON

Mitchell Landing Campground is located along Loop Road in the southeast corner of Big Cypress National Preserve. It is typically open from mid-August through mid-April, but it can be closed due to flooding. Opening and closing dates can always change, so check the Big Cypress National Preserve Campgrounds web page for the latest schedule.

TYPE OF CAMPING

Mitchell Landing Campground can accommodate tent campers, RVs, and other self-contained sleeping vehicles. Each campsite has a limit of six people and two vehicles, one of which can be an RV. For a complete list of camping regulations, see Big Cypress National Preserve’s Campground Rules and Regulations web page.

Tent camping at Mitchell Landing Campground in Big Cypress National Preserve

Tent camping at Mitchell Landing Campground in Big Cypress National Preserve

NUMBER OF CAMPSITES

According to the National Park Service’s website, there are 11 campsites at Mitchell Landing. However, I saw one campsite that was numbered as “12”, and I never saw campsites 1 through 3, though there were three sites for campground hosts near the entrance. So let’s just say there are about a dozen campsites at Mitchell Landing.

Mitchell Landing Campground in Big Cypress National Preserve

Mitchell Landing Campground in Big Cypress National Preserve

TERRAIN

The terrain at Mitchell Landing Campground is flat and populated with small hardwood shade trees. The campground itself is divided into three sections: campsites along the campground road, campsites in a large field, and an airboat ramp and boat trailer parking at the very end of the campground road. Being south of Tamiami Highway, Mitchell Landing is part of the Stairsteps Backcountry Unit (Zone 4), the only area in the park open to airboats. In fact, the campground is also used as a staging area for airboat owners who are setting out on trips into the backcountry (Off-Road Driving permits are required). There are over a dozen backcountry campsites in Zone 4 that are accessible to those with airboats.

Campsites at Mitchell Landing are either located in cubbyholes along the campground road or in a large field. Those in their own cubbyholes have a good bit of privacy, but sites on the field have no privacy. Field sites do, however, have plenty of room for tents, and most are under nice shade trees. Campsites 9 and 10 are actually situated in cubbyholes along the large field.

Large field of campsites at Mitchell Landing Campground in Big Cypress National Preserve

Large field of campsites at Mitchell Landing Campground in Big Cypress National Preserve

Campsite 10 at Mitchell Landing Campground in Big Cypress National Preserve

Campsite 10 at Mitchell Landing Campground in Big Cypress National Preserve

AMENITIES

There are no electric or water hookups at Mitchell Landing, and no bathrooms with running water for showers or toilets. There is, however, a fancy outhouse, which is what I call a pit toilet located in a permanent building versus the plastic, portable toilets common at construction sites.

Each campsite has a picnic table, fire ring / grill, and a lantern post.

RESERVATIONS

Reservations are required for all campsites at Mitchell Landing. You can make a reservation online at Recreation.gov from one day to six months in advance. You can also make reservation by phone by calling (877) 444-6777.

During the peak season, January through the end of April, there is a 10-day maximum stay at any one campground. During the rest of the year the maximum stay is 14 days. If you want to camp beyond the maximum number of days allowed, you must do so in the backcountry, where you can camp up to 180 days a year.

FEES

The current camping fee at Mitchell Landing is $24 / night. Those with a Senior or Access pass get half off. Keep in mind that prices can always change, so be sure to get the latest fee at the National Park Service’s official Campgrounds web page for Big Cypress National Preserve.

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Last updated on February 24, 2023
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