Mitchell Landing Campground
33100 Tamiami Trail East, Ochopee, FL 34141
Mitchell Landing Campground
$24.00 - $24.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Campsites are $24 per night. Payments must be made online for reservations. Annual Camping Pass discount accepted.
Standard Site Fee$24.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00
Total Campsite Fees$24.00
Share this campground
Recreation Dot Gov
Provider239-695-1117bicy_recreation@nps.gov
About this campground
Escape into the wild heart of Florida at Mitchell Landing Campground, where adventure meets tranquility in the vast Big Cypress National Preserve. This rustic hideaway welcomes tent campers, RV enthusiasts, and travel trailer adventurers seeking an authentic backcountry experience. While you'll find essential comforts like vault toilets, sturdy picnic tables, crackling fire rings, and secure shared food storage to protect your provisions from curious wildlife, the absence of running water adds to the primitive charm that draws nature lovers back season after season.
Mitchell Landing Campground is a primitive camping destination suitable for tent, RV, and travel trailer camping.
Historical SignificanceMitchell Landing sits within the legendary Big Cypress National Preserve, a landscape that has captivated generations of local families and airboat adventurers who've made these waterways their playground. This ecologically vital region has long served as a crossroads where human heritage meets natural wonder, preserving stories of those who've navigated these waters and called this wilderness home.
Weather and SeasonsExperience Florida's dynamic weather patterns in their full glory, where warm humidity wraps around you like a familiar blanket and temperatures remain pleasantly moderate throughout the year. While mosquitoes maintain their reputation as persistent companions regardless of season, savvy campers know that winter transforms this wilderness retreat. From December through February, cooler breezes sweep away the summer's intensity, bringing crystalline nights perfect for stargazing beneath some of Florida's darkest, most spectacular skies.
ElevationThe campground rests at the characteristic low elevation of the Big Cypress region, where subtle changes in height create the diverse mosaic of wetlands and dry hammocks that define this unique ecosystem.
Natural Features and SceneryImmerse yourself in the untamed beauty of Big Cypress Swamp, where ancient cypress trees draped in Spanish moss create natural cathedrals above your campsite. This living tapestry of tropical and temperate vegetation harbors an extraordinary cast of wildlife characters—from graceful wading birds painting the sky at dawn to prehistoric alligators sunning on distant banks. Lucky visitors might even catch a glimpse of the elusive Florida Panther, one of the rarest cats in North America, padding silently through its ancestral domain.
Geological RegionDiscover camping at the edge of the legendary Big Cypress Swamp, an integral piece of the greater Everglades ecosystem puzzle. Here, tropical and temperate plant communities interweave to create one of North America's most biodiverse landscapes, where sawgrass prairies meet cypress domes and hardwood hammocks rise like islands from the wetlands. This geological wonderland serves as the last stronghold for the endangered Florida Panther and countless other species that depend on this watery wilderness for survival.
Advertisement
Campsite details
AccessibilityNo specific accessibility accommodations for campers with disabilities are mentioned in the sources.
Sites SizeCampsites have gravel or grass pads and can accommodate both tent and RV camping.
Sites PrivacyPrivacy levels vary by site. Some users suggest that privacy can be improved by positioning vehicles strategically. Site 7 is noted as offering relative privacy.
Total Campsites12 campsites
Recommended CampsitesSite 7 offers relative privacy, especially if you park your vehicle between the site and the road; avoid sites near the bathrooms due to odor and flies.
Best CampsitesSite 7 is highly praised for privacy. Sites 8 and 10 are also noted for their seclusion and location.
Reserving a campsite
Check-in
Check-in from 11:00 AM.
Check-out
Check-out by 10:00 AM.
Stay Limit
Maximum stay limit is 14 nights.
Guests Allowed Per Site
Maximum of 6 guests per site.
Groups
Group camping facilities are not available.
Tents
Tents are allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are allowed
Primitive
Primitive are allowed
Reservable
Reservations are allowed
Site layout12 sites with gravel or grass pads. Campsites are close together, limiting privacy.
Open and Closed SeasonOpen August 15-April 15.
Reservation PlatformsReservations must be made online via Recreation.gov. Payment onsite is not possible due to limited cell service.
Walk-in AvailabilityFirst-come, first-serve is not available; advance reservations are highly recommended.
Cancellation PolicyReservations can be canceled before the scheduled arrival date, with a $10 cancellation fee. Late cancellations (from midnight the day before check-in) incur additional penalties, including forfeiture of the first night's use fee.
Amenities available
Fire rings
Food storage lockers
Picnic tables
Firewood available
Vault toilets
Activities you can enjoy
Mitchell Landing Campground offers a variety of outdoor and recreational activities. Popular among visitors are activities such as hiking, fishing, airboat excursions, and wildlife viewing. The location is particularly noted for its access to the Stairstep backcountry unit, the only area within the preserve permitting airboats. Additionally, the scenic Loop Road provides opportunities for wildlife observation and exploration.
Hiking
Several hiking opportunities are available nearby, including access to the Stairstep backcountry unit.Fishing
Fishing is permitted in nearby areas, but specific details about fishing conditions or types of fish are not provided.Boating
The campground is a popular location for airboating, with direct access to trails in the Stairstep backcountry unit. An ORV permit is required for airboat use.Wildlife viewing
Campers often observe a range of wildlife, including birds and alligators, along Loop Road and within the campground.Winter Activities
Winter activities are not mentioned.Water Sports
Non-motorized water sports are not referenced in the available materials.Advertisement
Campground rules
- Pets are allowed
- Campfires allowed in designated fire rings. Do not move firewood to prevent the spread of pests.
- Quiet hours are from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM.
Hazards
General hazardsMosquitoes and other insects are a persistent nuisance. Wildlife such as alligators is commonly seen, requiring caution. Lack of water onsite is a logistical concern.
Active alertsPreserve pit toilets are closed at H.P. Williams Roadside Park. Off-Road Vehicle trails will close for 60 days starting June 2nd, 2025.
Weather forecast
85
°F
Nov 25
Tuesday
Mainly clear
Precipitation: 0%
Strong wind, exercise caution
Humidity: 49%
Comfortable humidity levels
Wind: 9.8 mph
Strong wind, exercise caution
Mainly clear
7 day forecast
Weather History
Weather data powered by Open-Meteo
Emergency Services
Nathaniel P. Reed Visitor Center (nearest restroom facility) is located 11 miles east; emergency services are in Ochopee, FL.
Good to know
Peak season datesAugust 15-April 15.
Trash and recyclingTrash facilities are available, and garbage is reportedly collected twice daily. Campers are advised to store trash securely to avoid wildlife attraction.
Proximity to water featuresNo freshwater or lakes nearby. The campground is located within the swamp ecosystem.
Common complaintsSome reviewers noted the pit toilets were unsanitary and plagued by flies. Limited privacy and proximity of campsites were also concerns.
HostMixed reviews on hosts. Some reviewers found them helpful; others reported conflicts over rule enforcement.
Campground Map
33100 Tamiami Trail East, Ochopee, FL 34141
Driving directionsFrom Naples follow US HWY 41 to Loop Road. The east entrance to Loop Road will offer easier access to larger vehicles. Follow Loop Road approximately seven miles and turn left into the campground. From Miami follow US HWY 41 to Loop Road. The east entrance to Loop Road will offer easier access to larger vehicles. Follow Loop Road approximately seven miles and turn left into the campground.
Access is along a secondary gravel road. Visitors are advised to approach from the east entrance of Loop Road for easier access, especially for larger vehicles. The west entrance features rough terrain and is less suitable for RVs or trailers.Nearby places
Naples is approximately 40 miles west
Miami is approximately 57 miles east.
Nearby supplies
Nearest supplies for groceries, camping needs, and fuel are in Ochopee, FL. Visitors are advised to bring water and firewood as none are available onsite.
Camper Reviews
3.9
37 reviews
Mitchell Landing Campground has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews of Mitchell Landing Campground are mixed but generally highlight its quiet, secluded nature and wildlife presence. Some reviewers appreciate the primitive, back-to-nature experience, while others critique the lack of facilities and privacy.
Review Summaries
Based on 37 reviews
What Campers Love
Visitors praise the quiet and secluded environment, opportunities for wildlife viewing, and the friendly and helpful campground hosts. One reviewer described it as 'a paradise to rest' and 'perfect...
Based on 37 reviewsShow more
Common Concerns
Common issues raised include the prevalence of bugs, the poor condition of vault toilets, and the lack of privacy at certain campsites. Some users also found the rules, such as quiet hours, overly...
Based on 37 reviewsShow more
Pro Tips & Recommendations
Bring bug spray and mosquito protection. Prepare for primitive camping by bringing ample water and firewood. Site 7 is recommended for greater privacy. Approach the campground from the east for...
Based on 37 reviewsShow more
Seasonal Insights
Winter (January to February) is noted for being quieter and more comfortable given fewer bugs, while summer months have a high prevalence of mosquitoes.
Based on 37 reviewsCamper Quotes
1. 'Great place for RV/primitive camping. Be prepared for mosquitoes.' 2. 'The campground is clean and well-maintained.' 3. 'There is very little privacy at the campground.'
Based on 37 reviewsSite-Specific Reviews
Specific mentions include Site 7, which offers relative privacy, and Site 10, noted for being secluded but requiring careful navigation.
Based on 37 reviewsAccessibility Features
No accessibility reviews from users with disabilities are available.
Based on 37 reviewsPet-Friendly Features
Pets are allowed but must be on a leash. Some users noted no specific pet-related amenities.
Based on 37 reviewsLast updated November 24, 2025
Advertisement