Unique Stay: Eco-Tent Glamping in the Florida Everglades

The Everglades National Park was high on our must-visit list when we moved to Florida. We knew we wanted to stay within the national park, but accommodation options were limited. Our primitive camping gear hadn’t arrived from overseas, but we wanted to connect with nature and gaze at the star-filled night sky we’d seen in pictures. That’s when I stumbled on Flamingo Campground and its eco-tents, a glamping option in the heart of the Florida Everglades. We booked a stay, and this guide details our experience and what to expect if you’d like to go glamping in the Everglades too. 

Planning Your Visit to the Everglades 

Where is the Flamingo Adventures Campground? 

The Flamingo Campground is within the Everglades National Park and sits at the very bottom of the Florida Peninsula. It overlooks Florida Bay, but it’s a remote location with an abundance of wildlife and exploring opportunities. We booked a 2-night stay in an eco-tent at the beginning of April. We figured it gave us enough time to experience the area and explore the popular trails and kayaking opportunities around. 

Which Everglades Entrance is the Best?

There are three entrances to the Everglades National Park. The main entrance is Homestead, Shark Valley is closest to Miami, and the Gulf Coast is near Naples. Entering the park at the main Homestead entrance is the closest to Flamingo Campground. It also has the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center with ranger tours, a wealth of Everglades information and popular walking trails nearby. There is a fee of $30 to enter the national park at any entrance, but it is valid for seven days. It will take around 45 minutes to reach Flamingo from the visitor centre. 

What can I expect on arrival at the Glamping Eco-Tents?  

We checked in at the Flamingo Campground security gate, and I could see the small community of safari-style glamping tents and the boardwalks. I counted 20 eco-tents, but they might have added more since our visit. We received a parking pass for the car, our tent number, the combination pin to access our tent and the bathroom facilities. The attendant also ran over the eco-tent rules, such as no pets allowed, keeping food secured in your vehicle, and relayed the quiet hours from 10 pm – 6 am.  

There is a campsite for RV’s and tent camping at Flamingo, but these are separate from the glamping eco-tents area. 

Everglades Glamping: What are the eco-tents like? 

The eco-tents are canvas tents built on raised platform boardwalks. The tents have two layers, the outer canvas layer and a built-in mosquito/insect net. I loved that we could zip up and roll away the top layer and enjoy insect-free views outside.  They’re grouped in pairs of two so you’re close to your neighbour. Luckily when we stayed, the tent next to us was vacant. 

The boardwalks connect the tents to the parking area and bathroom facilities. I found this great for our luggage and keeping off the grassy areas. They have small, recessed spotlights that light up softly when night falls, which is particularly important if you need to head to the bathroom.  

I must add that the lack of light pollution means you cannot miss looking at the stars when it gets dark. I was mesmerised and could have sat there all night star gazing. The view was truly breathtaking. 

In the winter season, which runs from November through mid-April, expect a furnished tent. In the summer, they don’t have any beds, bring the camping gear you want, and you’re all set. 

Everglades Glamping: Winter Eco-Tent 

Flamingo Everglades offer three types of winter eco-tent: a double, 2 x double or a queen bed. We wanted the luxury of a fully furnished tent, so we booked a queen-bed stay at the beginning of April. The bed and bedding were provided (linens and pillows), along with a fan, lamp with USB charger, power outlets and some shelving with storage baskets for any items. There are also two deck chairs and a side table for the small covered outdoor deck. We were thrilled that our tent had a full view of the Florida Bay. Some have a partial view due to the layout of the boardwalks, so it’s something to consider when booking. 

What facilities will I find there? 

There are shared bathroom and shower facilities for the eco-tent guests, and the passcode for entry is provided at check-in. The warm water comes from the solar panels out the back, but we didn’t experience any issues with water temperature during our stay. They were clean, but for the price per night, I did expect them to be a little better as they seemed dated.  

There is also a dedicated picnic area with benches and grill pits. In my opinion, this area could also do with some improvement as it’s a little distance from the tents and the parking. One night the breeze was really coming off the bay as the area was exposed, and we struggled to enjoy our dinner, there was no alternative. But on the flip side, the views were good and being in nature is what the experience is about right? 

The location is remote, but the Flamingo Marina is nearby. It has a convenience store with firelighters, water, beer, bug spray and some to-go food options. We stocked up on a few things, but we’d taken a cooler with some meat we planned to grill, and I recommend doing this too. The store was a lifesaver when it came to our morning coffees! They also have new lodges, a restaurant and a bar that you can visit. 

If you’d like to read more about the Flamingo Lodges vs the Eco-Tents, you can read more in my full guide.

So How Much does Glamping in the Everglades Cost? 

When we visited in April 2021 the cost per night of an eco-winter tent was $90.00 per night plus taxes. The summer eco-tents come in cheaper at $50.00 per night plus taxes.  

Bookings can be made directly on the Flamingo Everglades website. 

Outdoor Adventures near Flamingo Everglades

So, what kind of activities and things to do are near the eco-tents? Here are some of the things we got up to and that are close by: 

• Eco-Pond Trail – this is a short walk away from the Flamingo Campground and across the road. The Eco Pond trail is a half-mile walk around a freshwater pond. We visited early one morning to catch a glimpse of the various birds that visit the pond. My favourites were the pink and white spoonbills.  
• Guy Bradley Trail – a picturesque 1-mile walk from the campground to the marina along the shores of Florida Bay. At the marina, keep a lookout for the resident American crocodile. 
• Boat Tours – Flamingo Adventures runs two different boat tours from the marina. We didn’t do any of them but heard they were worthwhile doing.   
• Backcountry Canoeing – We booked a self-guided tour of Nine Mile Pond from the Flamingo Adventures concession at the marina. From the parking area, we unlocked our vessel and followed white numbered PVC markers through mangrove tunnels and marsh. Be sure to check the water levels as we encountered some shallow areas. Alligators will be present on this paddle route, along with fish and birds.  
• Drive to popular trailheads – We chose to do some trails in-between Flamingo and the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center, which included the Mahogany Hammock Trail, Pahayokee Overlook, Pinelands Trail and the Anhinga Trail. 

Everglades Glamping Round-Up 

Despite some areas needing a little attention, our glamping experience in the Everglades National Park was amazing. Waking up well rested right next to the beachy shores of Florida Bay, immersed in nature, watching the birds and water lapping, star gazing, an experience we’ll never forget. I can’t recommend glamping enough to anyone visiting the Florida Everglades. We would love to book another stay in the future! 

Thank you for reading. Would you like to try out the eco-tents and go glamping in the Everglades National Park? Let me know in the comments or find me on Instagram. You can also check out some more of my Florida guides and continue planning your adventures.

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