OT: Everglades Camping

[Tent Camping Mom]

Anybody here done any back country camping in the Everglades or know someone who has done it? It appears fairly tame but I have a few questions. We hope to try it sometimes around December-January.

 

[Tent Camping Mom]

Bump

 

[Colson39]

I have done tons of back country camping in the Everglades, ever since I was a kid. You're going at the right time, December/Jan you won't have to worry about the heat, and more importantly, NO MOSQUITOES. Those are what make camping in the Everglades in the summer almost unbearable, heat is one thing, swarms of mosquitoes is another. In fact, just the summer in the Everglades is full of all kinds of insects, it's not nearly as much fun as in the cooler months.

There are of course still snakes/alligators, but depending on where you camp really the only thing you would have to worry about is snakes. Alligator attacks are very rare, and unless you're taking midnight swims in some remote lake you won't have anything to worry about.

Love the Everglades, it's one of the most remote places I've ever camped (there's a difference between looking all around and seeing nothing but forests and mountains and looking all around and seeing nothing but sawgrass). It's almost similar to desert camping in the style, minus the fact that the entire Everglades is basically just one big low slow moving river.

 

[Tent Camping Mom]

Since you did it as a kid, I assume it will be safe for my son, he's 11. Before DS was born, DH and I did a 7-day trek through the Amazon jungle in a very remote area (which I would never take DS through until he's an adult). I'm sure the Everglades is nothing like that but I just wanted to make sure.

Thanks for the info!

 

[Colson39]

Well, we were in large groups, which helps The Everglades CAN be a very dangerous place, it depends on where you're going camping. If it's in the more public places, you really won't have much to worry about.

There are however some serious dangers in some of the more remote areas. Alligators, snakes, scorpions, wild boars, panthers, cougars, bears, those are just some off the top of my head. If you are experienced trekkers, then you should have no problem handling any situation, but there are definitely some serious dangers present.

Once again, it depends on where you're going camping. Some of the most remote places in the Everglades are very remote, it's a much larger area than I think most people know. Most of it isn't going to be under cell phone coverage, but you sound like an experienced camper so as long as you plan accordingly you'll have a blast

 

[Tent Camping Mom]

Hmmm... I guess we will stick with the more public areas. I'm fine with the reptiles and arachnids but those felines I just don't trust. DS is a very adventurous kid and he may not be ready for the more remote areas yet. I'll check out the website again and try again to google up some trip reports before I decide.

Thanks again!

 

[Colson39]

I'm about to head home for the day, but here is a link for you. It's an Everglades Back Country Camping Check List, if anything it will give you an idea of what people normally bring with them into the Everglades. Some of it is specific to if you were canoeing/kayaking, just ignore those parts (you obviously don't need paddles and nautical charts if you're walking ). But all the rest of the items are general Everglades back country.

http://www.evergladeshostel.com/media/pdf/Everglades_Backcountry_Checklist.pdf

P.S. One other quick tip. Depends on where you're going, but if you plan on doing a lot of hiking into the back country on non-established trails, chances are you'll be walking through sawgrass. And it's not just named that for fun. The edges of it just like a saw blade, and it can and will slice you open. The Everglades are basically just a large expanse of sawgrass, it grows very thick, and very high (it can easily be as high as an adult male). On most of my back country trips, we have had to wear thick flannel or similar material, because if you wear shorts and a shirt you basically would slice yourself open all over the place.

Luckily for you you're going during the winter, so long sleeves and jeans shouldn't be a problem since the weather should be cool. Last time I went back country camping, it was in July and it was about 98 degrees out. Thick long sleeve shirts and jeans in that kind of weather didn't turn out being very much fun. Sure drank lots of water though...lol

 

[Tent Camping Mom]

Perfect!

 

[Colson39]

Edit: Double post