# Manatees, cypress swamps and shell beaches – by camper along Florida’s Gulf Coast to the Everglades

> From Cedar Key and the springs of Crystal River via Fort De Soto, Siesta Key and Sanibel, then along the Tamiami Trail through Big Cypress to Flamingo…

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/rf-295-florida-gulf-everglades/

**At a glance:** 8-day road trip of about 763 km (474 mi) with 13 stops, from Cedar Key to Flamingo. About 8 h 28 min of driving in total. Best time to go: November–April. Tolls and vignettes for a car: about $12 (FL). From Cedar Key and the springs of Crystal River via Fort De Soto, Siesta Key and Sanibel, then along the Tamiami Trail through Big Cypress to Flamingo: around 1,000 kilometres of Gulf Coast, mangroves and sawgrass.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | approx. 763 km (474 mi) |
| Driving | 8 h 28 min |
| Suggested days | 8 |
| Stops | 13 |
| Route | Cedar Key → Flamingo |
| States | FL |
| Best time to go | November–April |
| Tolls and vignettes | ≈ $12 |
| Updated | September 1, 2026 |

[Download GPX file](https://camping-spirit.com/gpx/rf-295-florida-gulf-everglades.gpx)

Practical guides for this route: [Driving in the US: The Rules European Visitors Most Often Get Wrong at the Wheel](https://camping-spirit.com/magazine/us-driving-rules-visitors/), [Fuel, Tolls and Distances: Practical US Driving Math for Motorhome and Camper Travelers](https://camping-spirit.com/magazine/us-fuel-tolls-distances/), [US national parks: entry fees, passes and reservations in plain terms](https://camping-spirit.com/magazine/us-national-park-passes/)

*From Cedar Key and the springs of Crystal River via Fort De Soto, Siesta Key and Sanibel, then along the Tamiami Trail through Big Cypress to Flamingo: around 1,000 kilometres of Gulf Coast, mangroves and sawgrass.*

## The spirit of the route

Florida’s Gulf Coast is flatter, quieter and greener than the Atlantic side. In the morning, haze lies over the salt marshes of Cedar Key; in winter, manatees drift like grey boulders in the turquoise of Crystal River’s clear springs. Further south it gets brighter: white quartz sand on Siesta Key, shell banks on Sanibel, pelicans over the quays of Fort De Soto. Beyond Naples the development ends abruptly. The Tamiami Trail runs dead straight through Big Cypress, with canals full of alligators on either side, herons in the cypress domes, and in the evening, through the open sliding door, you hear frogs and cicadas instead of traffic. On the road to Flamingo the sawgrass opens out to the horizon, and at the end come mangroves and Florida Bay. This is a winter route: dry, mild, full of birds – and booked up early for exactly that reason. In summer, heat, thunderstorms, mosquitoes and hurricane season rule.

## Stage-by-stage plan

### Stage 1: Cedar Key to Crystal River (approx. 95 km)

- **The drive:** From Cedar Key, take SR 24 east over the low bridges and salt marshes, then US-19/98 south via Inglis and Yankeetown to Crystal River. SR 24 is two-lane and level; US-19 is four-lane with traffic lights and commercial strips. Driving time alone is around 1.5 hours; the detour to Shell Mound adds half a day. Fuel in Cedar Key is limited; reliable from Otter Creek and along US-19.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Cedar Key: fishing town on a group of islands in the Gulf, known for clam farming and sunsets over the water. In September 2024, Hurricane Helene’s record storm surge hit Dock Street and many buildings hard; by 2026 rebuilding is well advanced but not finished – some businesses and docks may still be missing. Cedar Key Museum State Park covers local history; check its status in advance.
  - Shell Mound in the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge: short trail over an Indigenous shell mound with views across salt marsh and Gulf; good birdwatching in winter.
  - Crystal River: in winter (roughly November to March), hundreds of West Indian manatees move into the warm springs of Kings Bay. Three Sisters Springs (Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, run jointly with the city) has a boardwalk overlooking the springs; during manatee season the spring basin is closed to swimmers and paddlers. Also Crystal River Archaeological State Park with its temple mounds.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Shell Mound Campground (Levy County) at the Lower Suwannee NWR: simple site in a marsh setting, few pitches, some with electricity and water, restrooms and dump station; no reservations, pitches assigned on site by the camp host. Check its condition after Helene with the county in advance. In the Crystal River area, Chassahowitzka River Campground (Citrus County) south of Homosassa has pitches with electricity and water, restrooms and a boat ramp; check vehicle length limits and availability in advance.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Free overnight parking is practically not provided for in Florida outside designated areas; in Cedar Key and Crystal River, overnighting in public car parks and at boat ramps is not allowed. Primitive sites in Goethe State Forest (to the east) require permits from the forestry authority; check the rules there.
- **Insider tip for campers:** You’ll see manatees best on cold mornings after a cold front, when they gather in the springs. Be on the Three Sisters Springs boardwalk early; parking there is limited, and a shuttle runs from the city’s visitor car park – check the arrangements in advance. Swimming with manatees in Kings Bay is only allowed under the refuge’s rules (no touching, no chasing).

### Stage 2: Crystal River to Fort De Soto Park (St. Petersburg) (approx. 165 km)

- **The drive:** From Crystal River, take US-19 south or, faster, the toll Suncoast Parkway (SR 589) into the Tampa area, then I-275 to St. Petersburg and the Pinellas Bayway (toll) to Mullet Key and Fort De Soto Park. US-19 through Pinellas County is busy, with many traffic lights; the Parkway is more relaxed. Driving time alone is 2.5–3 hours, considerably more in rush hour.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Weeki Wachee Springs State Park on US-19: spring basin with the mermaid show that has been running since 1947 and a paddling route on the clear Weeki Wachee River; kayak quotas are limited, check times in advance.
  - Fort De Soto Park: Pinellas County park on five connected islands with beaches, cycle paths, two fishing piers and the fort from the Spanish–American War. Helene and Milton badly damaged the park in autumn 2024; the campground, beaches including North Beach, the fort, the dog beach and the piers have since reopened. Some facilities may still be missing in 2026 – check the status on pinellas.gov.
  - St. Petersburg: waterfront with the St. Pete Pier and the Salvador Dalí Museum; parking a large motorhome downtown is difficult, so better make it a day trip by bike or bus.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Fort De Soto Park Campground (Pinellas County): large site with waterfront pitches, electricity and water at every pitch, restroom buildings with showers, washing machines and dump station. Book through the Pinellas County reservation system (explore.pinellas.gov), up to 6 months ahead for non-residents; quickly booked up in winter and at weekends. The campground was closed for several months after Milton and is operating again; check current restrictions in advance.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** There is no legal free overnight parking in the Tampa–St. Petersburg area; beach car parks and parks close at night, and some municipalities explicitly ban sleeping in vehicles. Fort De Soto Park closes its gates to non-campers at night.
- **Insider tip for campers:** For the Pinellas Bayway, Sunshine Skyway and Suncoast Parkway, a SunPass-compatible transponder (or the rental company’s arrangement) is worth having; many toll points are cashless, otherwise you’re billed via Toll-By-Plate with a surcharge. Do your big grocery shop before heading onto the island: the park only has a small shop.

### Stage 3: Fort De Soto Park to Osprey (Oscar Scherer State Park) (approx. 95 km)

- **The drive:** From Fort De Soto, head back to I-275 and cross Tampa Bay southbound on the Sunshine Skyway Bridge (toll), then continue on US-41 through Bradenton and Sarasota to Osprey. The Skyway is high and unpleasant for tall vehicles in strong crosswinds; it is closed in storms. Driving time alone is around 1.5 hours, plus the detour to Siesta Key.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Sunshine Skyway Bridge: cable-stayed bridge across the mouth of Tampa Bay with wide views over the water; rest areas at the bridge approaches (North and South Skyway Fishing Pier State Park) with fishing piers.
  - Siesta Key: Siesta Beach with fine, almost white quartz sand that stays cool even in the midday sun. Car parks fill early in winter; large motorhomes struggle, so arrive early or come by bike or trolley.
  - The Ringling in Sarasota: art museum, circus museum and the Venetian-inspired mansion Ca’ d’Zan on Sarasota Bay; check admission and opening hours in advance.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Oscar Scherer State Park in Osprey: campground in pine and scrub woodland on South Creek, pitches with electricity and water, restroom buildings, dump station. The park is one of the best places to see the Florida scrub-jay. Book via reserve.floridastateparks.org.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In Sarasota County and on Siesta Key, overnighting in a vehicle in public car parks and on beaches is prohibited; beach car parks close at night. The only alternative is regular campgrounds.
- **Insider tip for campers:** The beaches on this coast are sometimes hit by red tide (an algal bloom), which brings coughing and dead fish on the beach. Before a beach day, check the red tide map of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC); often a beach further south is clear.

### Stage 4: Osprey to Myakka River State Park (approx. 35 km)

- **The drive:** From Osprey, take Laurel Road or SR 681 and SR 72 east into Myakka River State Park. A short, flat stage; Park Drive inside the park is narrow, with low-hanging branches and wildlife crossing, so keep your speed down. Driving time alone is under an hour; the day belongs to the park.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Canopy Walkway: suspension bridge about 8 metres up through the crowns of oaks and palms, with a tower above the forest; access depends on maintenance and storm damage, check the status.
  - Upper Myakka Lake and the weir: especially in the dry season, dozens of alligators lie along the shore and at the weir; herons, spoonbills and storks fish in the shallow pools. Boat tours on the lake (and, seasonally, tram tours through the prairie) are offered in the park; check what’s running in advance.
  - Birdwalk: boardwalk into the marsh on Upper Myakka Lake with a clear view of the birds; quietest in the morning and late afternoon.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Myakka River State Park with three camping areas (Big Flats, Palmetto Ridge, Old Prairie, around 90 pitches in total): pitches with electricity and water, restroom buildings, dump station. Flooding after the 2024 storms submerged parts of the park; the camping areas are operating again, but check vehicle length limits and short-notice closures due to high water with Florida State Parks in advance. Book via reserve.floridastateparks.org.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In the state park, overnighting is only allowed on the campgrounds; backcountry sites are reserved for hikers and require registration.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Never feed alligators (a criminal offence in Florida) and keep at least around 5 metres away; keep dogs on a short lead and away from the water’s edge. In summer the Myakka floodplain often floods, trails are then closed, and the mosquitoes are extreme.

### Stage 5: Myakka River State Park to Estero (Koreshan State Park) via Sanibel (approx. 200 km)

- **The drive:** From Myakka, take SR 72 to I-75 and follow the interstate south to Fort Myers, then Summerlin Road and the Sanibel Causeway (toll only towards the island) to Sanibel and back, continuing via Fort Myers Beach or US-41 to Estero. I-75 is six-lane and very busy in winter; on Sanibel the limit is mostly 35 mph, and traffic backs up on Periwinkle Way. Driving time alone is around 3.5 hours.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Sanibel Causeway and island: in September 2022, Hurricane Ian destroyed parts of the causeway and much of the island, and Helene and Milton brought storm surge again in 2024. The causeway has been restored and beaches and cycle paths are largely usable in 2026, but rebuilding, roadworks and closed businesses still shape parts of the island. Bowman’s Beach is the best-known shelling beach; note the parking fees.
  - J. N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge: Wildlife Drive through mangroves with spoonbills, herons and, in winter, American white pelicans. Reopened step by step after the hurricanes; the Drive is traditionally closed on Fridays. Check the condition of the visitor centre and trails in advance.
  - Koreshan State Park: historic settlement of a religious community (from 1894) on the Estero River with restored buildings and gardens; a quiet kayak put-in on the river.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Koreshan State Park in Estero: campground under oaks and cabbage palms, pitches with electricity and water, restroom buildings, dump station. There are no public campgrounds on Sanibel itself. Book via reserve.floridastateparks.org.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** On Sanibel, overnighting in a vehicle is prohibited and beach car parks close at night. No legal free overnight spots in Fort Myers Beach or Fort Myers either.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Sanibel is best done as a day trip without a large motorhome: if you can, park on the mainland or at a large beach car park and cycle on the island – the cycle path network is dense. Beach car parks charge fees and fill early in winter.

### Stage 6: Estero to Big Cypress (Midway Campground) via Naples and Everglades City (approx. 150 km)

- **The drive:** Take US-41 south through Bonita Springs and Naples, then from Naples as the Tamiami Trail south-east, then SR 29 to Everglades City and Chokoloskee and back to US-41 heading east to Midway Campground. Beyond the turn-off to Marco Island the road becomes two-lane, straight and flat, with canals right at the edge and barely any hard shoulder. Driving time alone is around 2.5 hours. Fuel in Naples, on SR 29 and in Everglades City; very little on the Tamiami Trail east of there.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Naples: beachfront promenade and the Naples Pier, which has been under reconstruction since January 2026 after Ian – reopening is planned for July 2027, and until then the pier is closed; a quiet beach at Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park north of town (day use).
  - Everglades City and Chokoloskee: gateway to the Ten Thousand Islands, a labyrinth of mangrove islands; boat tours and kayak rental in town. Since the storms of Irma (2017) and Ian (2022), the Gulf Coast area of Everglades National Park has only had temporary facilities – check the visitor centre, boat tours and permits on nps.gov in advance. The historic Smallwood Store in Chokoloskee is a museum about pioneers and trade.
  - Kirby Storter Roadside Park on US-41: boardwalk around 1 kilometre long through bald cypress to an open stretch of water with alligators and birds. Also the Big Cypress Oasis Visitor Center further east and photographer Clyde Butcher’s gallery on the Tamiami Trail.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Midway Campground in Big Cypress National Preserve on US-41: open year-round, pitches around a small lake, the RV pitches with electricity, drinking water, toilets and dump station. Monument Lake (roughly late August to mid-April, drinking water and toilets, no hook-ups) and Burns Lake (roughly mid-August to mid-April, no water or hook-ups) are open seasonally and more basic. Alternatively, Collier-Seminole State Park on US-41 south-east of Naples, with electricity and water. Book Big Cypress via recreation.gov and Collier-Seminole via reserve.floridastateparks.org.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In Big Cypress National Preserve, overnighting is only allowed on designated campgrounds. Mitchell’s Landing on Loop Road is a basic site without water or hook-ups, with vault toilets only; no reservations, pay on site. Pinecrest on Loop Road is a group site booked via recreation.gov. Rest areas and car parks on the Tamiami Trail are not places to stay overnight.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Loop Road (CR 94) is largely gravel with potholes and not suitable for large motorhomes; drive slowly in a van and avoid it in rain. At H. P. Williams Roadside Park on Turner River Road, alligators often lie right under the bridge – keep your distance and don’t park on the verge.

### Stage 7: Big Cypress to Long Pine Key (Everglades National Park) via Shark Valley and Homestead (approx. 120 km)

- **The drive:** Follow the Tamiami Trail east to Shark Valley, then continue towards Miami and, before the edge of the city, take Krome Avenue (SR 997) south to Homestead and Florida City, then SR 9336 to the main entrance of Everglades National Park. Krome Avenue has now been largely upgraded, but still carries a lot of lorry traffic. Driving time alone is around 2 hours.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Shark Valley: 24-kilometre (15-mile) loop through the sawgrass, on foot, by bike or on the tram tour, with an observation tower at the turnaround point. Alligators often lie at the edge of the path. The car park fills early in winter and closes when full; note the gate times.
  - Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center at the main entrance: exhibition on the hydrology and restoration of the Everglades; admission per vehicle, and since 2026 surcharges apply in some cases to visitors without US residence – check current fees on nps.gov.
  - Royal Palm with the Anhinga Trail: short boardwalk over a slough with alligators, anhingas and herons at very close range. Note: vultures damage rubber parts on vehicles; the park lends out tarps.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Long Pine Key Campground in Everglades National Park: pitches in pine woodland, no hook-ups, with drinking water, toilets and dump station but no hot showers; open only in the winter season (usually 1 November to 31 May). Book through the park concessioner (Flamingo Adventures), some pitches first-come, first-served; check the season on nps.gov. If you want an earlier start towards the Keys (see the Florida Keys route), you’ll find private campgrounds in Florida City and Homestead.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In the national park, overnighting is only allowed on the campgrounds; backcountry sites are reserved for paddlers and hikers with a permit. No legal free overnight parking in Homestead or Florida City.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Fill up and shop in Homestead or Florida City: inside the national park there is no reliable fuel on the roughly 60 kilometres to Flamingo and only very limited shopping.

### Stage 8: Long Pine Key to Flamingo and back to Florida City (approx. 150 km)

- **The drive:** Take the Main Park Road (SR 9336) south-west through pine woodland, sawgrass prairie, cypress and mangroves to Flamingo on Florida Bay, and after one or two nights return to Florida City. The road is two-lane and level, mostly 45 mph; watch for potholes and wildlife on the road (turtles, snakes). Driving time alone is around 1 hour each way.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Pa-hay-okee Overlook: short boardwalk with a viewing platform over the sawgrass known as the “River of Grass”, stretching to the horizon.
  - Mahogany Hammock: boardwalk through a hardwood hammock with large mahogany trees and air plants.
  - Flamingo: marina on Florida Bay with manatees and American crocodiles, boat tours and kayak rental through the concessioner. The new visitor centre and the newly built Flamingo Lodge, after years without accommodation, have brought the place back to life; check the season, opening hours and bookings with the concessioner.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Flamingo Campground: large site overlooking Florida Bay, 41 RV pitches with electricity (no water hook-up at the pitch), drinking water, restroom buildings with solar showers and dump station; tent and RV areas are separate. Operates year-round, but in summer comfort is severely limited by heat and mosquitoes. Book through the concessioner (flamingoeverglades.com), not via recreation.gov.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** No free overnighting in the national park; car parks at the marina and at trailheads are not intended for campers at night. Backcountry sites only with a wilderness permit for canoeists and boaters.
- **Insider tip for campers:** In summer the mosquitoes at Flamingo are legendary – between June and October, only stay with mosquito nets on every window and a head net. From Florida City you can head south onto the Keys (see the Florida Keys route) or north back to Miami.

## Camping practice & local rules

### Wild camping & overnight parking

- Florida has practically no free overnighting: beaches, beach car parks and parks close at night, and many municipalities (including in Sarasota, Pinellas and Lee County) ban sleeping in vehicles. Enforcement by sheriffs and police is consistent in coastal towns, and fines are possible.
- Interstate rest areas only allow short breaks (in Florida usually up to 3 hours, as signposted); overnighting in a camper is not intended there. Supermarket car parks only with the store’s explicit permission and where no local ordinance forbids it.
- Legal alternatives are the primitive campgrounds in Big Cypress National Preserve and individual sites in state forests or wildlife management areas – each with a fee, permit or seasonal rules.
- Wildlife: alligators in almost all fresh water, American crocodiles on Florida Bay; feeding them is a criminal offence. Keep your distance, don’t swim in unfamiliar waters, keep dogs away from the water’s edge. Pythons are widespread in the south and mostly harmless to people. Vultures in the Everglades damage rubber seals.
- Apps and websites: Campendium, iOverlander, The Dyrt; reservations via reserve.floridastateparks.org (state parks), recreation.gov (Big Cypress), flamingoeverglades.com (Flamingo and Long Pine Key in Everglades National Park) and the counties’ booking systems (Fort De Soto).

### Waste disposal & supplies

- Florida State Parks almost always have electricity, water, restroom buildings and a dump station; reservations open up to 11 months ahead for Florida residents and up to 10 months ahead for non-residents. For December to April, book at the earliest possible date.
- Dump stations at all the state park, county and national park campgrounds mentioned; elsewhere at some fuel stations and travel centres. Never drain grey water onto the ground.
- Mains water is safe to drink but often tastes of sulphur or chlorine; after storms, boil water notices are sometimes in force.
- Propane: fuel stations, DIY stores and RV dealers fill US cylinders; European cylinders are usually not filled.
- Fuel: plentiful on the Gulf Coast between Tampa and Naples; scarce on the Tamiami Trail east of Everglades City and in Everglades National Park, so fill up in Naples, Everglades City or Florida City.
- Electricity: pitches with 30 or 50 A; in summer the air conditioning runs almost constantly, so a pitch with electricity is then a must.

### Vehicle size & traffic rules

- Speed limits: interstates mostly 70 mph (113 km/h), multi-lane highways 55–65 mph, Tamiami Trail 55–60 mph with night-time limits in panther zones; in towns 25–45 mph. Florida has no separate lower limits for motorhomes.
- Tolls: Suncoast Parkway, Pinellas Bayway, Sunshine Skyway, Sanibel Causeway and Alligator Alley (I-75) are toll roads, often cashless. SunPass (or compatible transponders such as E-ZPass) saves surcharges; without a transponder you’re billed by number plate (Toll-By-Plate) – clarify the rental company’s arrangement beforehand.
- Hurricane season runs from 1 June to 30 November, peaking August to October: when warnings are issued, state and national parks close and islands such as Sanibel are evacuated early. Follow evacuation zones and warnings via floridadisaster.org, FL511 and the National Hurricane Center; never drive a camper into the storm surge zone.
- Climate: dry season December to April with 20–28 °C and few mosquitoes – high season with peak prices and fully booked campgrounds. May to October is hot (over 32 °C) and very humid, with daily thunderstorms and lightning, and mosquitoes and no-see-ums in huge numbers.
- National parks: Everglades and Big Cypress charge admission per vehicle; the America the Beautiful pass is valid. Since 2026, surcharges apply in some cases to visitors without US residence at heavily visited parks – check current fees on nps.gov.
- Traffic law: turning right on red after a full stop is allowed unless a sign prohibits it; phones at the wheel hands-free only, strictly enforced in school and work zones; Move Over law: change lanes or slow down significantly for emergency and breakdown vehicles.
- Emergency: 911; mobile coverage on the Tamiami Trail and in Everglades National Park is patchy, limited at Flamingo.

## CampingSpirit packing & preparation checklist

- Fine-mesh mosquito and no-see-um nets for the windows and sliding door, plus a head net: in the Everglades and among the mangroves, normal fly screens aren’t enough.
- SunPass-compatible transponder (or a clarified rental arrangement): saves surcharges on the Skyway, Bayway, Sanibel Causeway and Suncoast Parkway.
- Polarised sunglasses and binoculars: you’ll only spot manatees in Kings Bay and alligators in the sawgrass without glare on the water.
- Lightweight, long-sleeved technical clothing with UV protection and insect repellent with DEET or picaridin: against sun and mosquitoes at the same time.
- Tarps or covers for wiper blades and seals: vultures in the Everglades pull rubber parts apart; the tarps handed out by the park aren’t always available.
- Hurricane emergency kit with three days’ water supply, power bank, offline maps and copies of your reservations: for quick evacuations during the season.

_As of 2026-09. Closures, fees and booking rules change: check official sources before you go._

## Sources

- [Pinellas County – Camping Information (Fort De Soto Park Campground)](https://pinellas.gov/park/camping.htm)
- [Pinellas County – Fort De Soto Park fort, dog beach, fishing piers reopen](https://pinellas.gov/news/fort-de-soto-park-fort-dog-beach-fishing-piers-reopen/)
- [Florida State Parks – Reservation Information](https://www.floridastateparks.org/index.php/reservation-information)
- [Florida State Parks – Myakka River State Park: Experiences & Amenities](https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/myakka-river-state-park/experiences-amenities-0)
- [City of Naples – Naples Pier Rebuild Project](https://www.naplesgov.com/node/55986)
- [WUSF – After year of layoffs and shutdowns, Everglades National Park gets a new visitor center (15.12.2025)](https://www.wusf.org/environment/2025-12-15/after-year-of-layoffs-and-shutdowns-everglades-national-park-gets-a-new-visitor-center)
- [WUFT – Cedar Key makes progress in recovery nearly two years after Hurricane Helene (18.05.2026)](https://www.wuft.org/weather/2026-05-18/cedar-key-makes-progress-in-recovery-nearly-two-years-after-hurricane-helene)
- [WUFT – Restoring the ‘old-Florida’ feel of the Chassahowitzka River Campground (01.06.2026)](https://www.wuft.org/art-and-culture/2026-06-01/restoring-the-old-florida-feel-of-the-chassahowitzka-river-campground)
- [Gulfshore Business – Chamber ribbon cutting celebrates Ding Darling reopening](https://gulfshorebusiness.com/gb_daily/chamber-ribbon-cutting-celebrates-highly-anticipated-ding-darling-reopening)
- [Florida Rambler – Camping in the Everglades (RV, tent, backcountry)](https://www.floridarambler.com/florida-best-camping/camping-in-the-everglades-rv-tent-backcountry/)
- [Florida Nature Coast – Shell Mound Park (Levy County)](https://floridanaturecoast.org/County/Levy/ShellMoundPark/ShellMoundPark.aspx)
- [Florida Rambler – Fort De Soto Campground](https://www.floridarambler.com/florida-camping/fort-de-soto-campground/)

## Which stops are on the route from Cedar Key to Flamingo?

1. **Cedar Key** (FL)
2. **Crystal River** (FL)
3. **St. Petersburg** (FL)
4. **Fort De Soto Park** (FL)
5. **Siesta Key** (FL)
6. **Myakka River State Park** (FL)
7. **Fort Myers** (FL)
8. **Sanibel** (FL)
9. **Naples** (FL)
10. **Everglades City** (FL)
11. **Shark Valley** (FL)
12. **Homestead** (FL)
13. **Flamingo** (FL)

## When is the best time for the route from Cedar Key to Flamingo?

The most pleasant months are usually November–April. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and September–October. Hot in June–August. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

## FAQs

**How long is Manatees, cypress swamps and shell beaches – by camper along Florida’s Gulf Coast to the Everglades?**
8-day road trip of about 763 km (474 mi) with 13 stops, from Cedar Key to Flamingo. About 8 h 28 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for Manatees, cypress swamps and shell beaches – by camper along Florida’s Gulf Coast to the Everglades?**
We suggest 8 days: about 8 h 28 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does Manatees, cypress swamps and shell beaches – by camper along Florida’s Gulf Coast to the Everglades start and end?**
It starts in Cedar Key and ends in Flamingo.

**Which states does Manatees, cypress swamps and shell beaches – by camper along Florida’s Gulf Coast to the Everglades pass through?**
Florida.

**Where can you camp along Manatees, cypress swamps and shell beaches – by camper along Florida’s Gulf Coast to the Everglades?**
OpenStreetMap lists 140 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 19 mi of the stops on this route. For example: Long Pine Key Campground, Encore Vacation Village and Outdoor Resorts of Chokoloskee.

**How much are the tolls on the route from Cedar Key to Flamingo?**
Tolls and vignettes for a car: about $12 (FL). Estimate with typical rates; motorhomes pay more, and vehicles over 3.5 t often pay by distance.