Winter Naturist Camping in the Everglades
Having just returned from my latest Everglades camping trip the first weekend in February, I have some general comments to make about naturist camping in the Everglades during peak tourist season.
First off, it's crowded. (Even the road traffic getting into the Park was bad). I took it as a given that Friday and Saturday nights would be crowded in the backcountry since most people have weekends off. I figured Sunday night would be sparcely populated since folks would head home before Sunday evening so they can get to work on Monday. Well - I was half right. Friday and Saturday nights the campsites were pretty much filled. But Sunday, most of the sites were still occupied (the Park Service considers most sites to be multiparty sites, so getting a reservation for your party does not guarantee you will have the site to yourself). I could not find one site totally open. However, New Turkey Key had no one reserving it for Monday night, so I would be the "first" party there on Monday - meaning I would get the first choice of tent site, etc.
Secondly, while the weather is not hot like in summer time, it is not necessarily pleasant. Sunday afternoon and Monday were nice enough to enjoy "au naturale", but despite weather predictions of 75 degrees on Tuesday, it was overcast, cool, breezy, and it drizzled or rained outright most of the day. In short, it was miserable. On the plus side, both Sunday and Monday nights were nice nights for sitting by a campfire, with NOT A MOSQUITO IN SIGHT!!!! (This never happens at other times of year, when you really have to stay inside your tent from sunset till after sunrise to avoid being eaten alive.)
In summary, while there is a certain novelty in being able to view a nice starry sky while camping in the Everglades, I would have to say that overall, February (probably January as well) is not a good time for naturist camping in the Everglades. If you don't mind bundling up against cold wind and wet weather, as well as having almost guaranteed company in your campsite, then go for it. Not every camping trip needs to be a naturist camping trip, even if you are a naturist.(We dress or we don't according to comfort and practicality, remember?)
Having said all that, I think I will avoid the 'Glades next Jan-Feb. I've been there pretty much every other month of the year including December (before Christmas) and March, and have had no weather or crowding problems.
For details of my trip to New Turkey Key, click here.
(OR USE YOUR BROWSER'S BACK BUTTON TO RETURN TO PREVIOUS PAGE
