Camping

Registration is required.

For the adventurous, the CREW Trails have two free primitive campsites – one near the Corkscrew Marsh deep into the woods and away from traffic (at Gate 3), and one tucked into the pines near the trailhead at the Cypress Dome Trails (Gate 5).

The Gate 3 campsite is located in a beautiful oak hammock surrounded by marsh. The Gate 5 campsite is nestled among tall pines.

The sites are suitable for up to 20 people. A grill, picnic tables, and a fire ring are provided for you. There are no restroom facilities, no trash cans and no running water. 

Register for Camping Special Use License

Families, scout troops, friends, and even solo campers appreciate getting away from it all at CREW. Each site is permitted to only one group at a time, up to 20 people.

All campers are expected to use Leave No Trace principles to minimize impacts to the campsites and to keep the sites in good shape for future campers. Proper disposal of waste and storage of food is critical to a good user experience.  If you arrive at your camp site and find any trash or broken equipment please report the conditions to the CREW Trust office immediately, 239-657-2253.

If you’re not an experienced primitive camper, here are some resources that may help you learn the in’s and out’s of camping without water and toilets:

• Video: Why Low-Impact Camping is important
• Low-impact and leave no trace video series
• Leave No Trace’s Online Awareness Course
• Karen Meyer’s famous book: How to S*** in the Woods
• Blog post from A Mountaintop High: How to Poop in the Woods 

To request a special use license (and to check availability), complete the South Florida Water Management District Special Use License (SUL) application online:

Register for Camping Special Use License

For more information, contact Blaine Preston at the SFWMD with email specialuselicense@sfwmd.gov.