Whether you want a culture-filled getaway or a peaceful vacation, you’ll have more than enough to do in Naples. Located in Southwest Florida, Naples overlooks the Gulf of Mexico, where fun in the sun has never been so versatile. Shoppers, artists, and golfers can fill a vacation at the city’s many museums, stores, and golf courses. However, Naples’ proximity to the Everglades—as well as state parks and forests—makes it a camper’s dream. Once you check-in to your coastal campsite, search for dolphins from the Naples Pier. What better excuse to gaze across Florida’s clear waters?
Head south of Naples, but stop before you reach the Everglades. As one of Florida’s many state forests, the Picayune Strand State Forest coincides with the Big Cypress Basin and offers tent and RV campsites near the cypress trees. If you want even greater access to Florida’s swamps, head to Collier-Seminole State Park. Located just north of the Everglades, the park’s RV campgrounds come with dump stations, electricity, and restrooms.
Less than an hour south of Naples, this national park is a must-see for its subtropical environment and abundance of wildlife. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Everglades National Park maintains the Western Hemisphere’s largest mangrove ecosystem, so there’s plenty of adventure to be enjoyed. Tent and RV campsites surround the Everglades, with options for both frontcountry and backcountry campsites.
No trip to Florida is complete without a stop at the beach. If you prefer the sand to the swamp, check-in to a Marco Island campground. Beautiful beaches, boutiques, and birds fill the island, so if you want to relax alongside Florida’s clear waters, book an RV or tent campsite. Or, opt for a Marco Island cabin to make your stay all the easier. Kids will love scouring for seashells along the sandy shoreline.
November through April is Florida’s dry season and the best time to visit Collier County’s swamps. If you want to experience the Everglades with fewer mosquitoes and less humidity, plan your visit for these colder months. The parks aren’t as accessible or enjoyable during the wet season. However, Naples boasts plenty of beaches, so, depending on what you want from your camping getaway, there’s never a bad time of year to visit.