Everglades-  there is a very large tent campground at Flamingo, which
is the very (south) end of Everglades National Park, as stated you can
make reservations through the park office. You will want to make sure
you have insect repellent, there is a good store at this location with
anything you might need but forget to bring.  There is really not much
good marine shelling in the area of the park but there are a few small
 species that are extremely abundant in drift along the mangroves on
the edge of the campground (Florida Bay) at low tide, and many land
shells wash in  too... you cant miss them if you look at the grass and
debris trapped around the mangrove islands.

Also, Flamingo is a very reliable  place to go to see saltwater
crocodiles (rare, and different than the alligators you will see in
the freshwater areas of the park), they hang out by the marina by the
park store, if you ask the park rangers  they can direct you, but look
for the little bridge across the canal that is roped off  with "no
crossing signs".....they lie in the sun at the other end of the bridge
(in the morning).

Sanibel- Camping with a tent on Sanibel may not  be so easy, years ago
we camped at the Periwinkle Way Trailer Park/Campground  but that
place, and others on Sanibel, may be more  for RVs (recreational
vehicles), but the owner was very nice, perhaps since it will be the
off season (somewhat) they  may be able to find room for you. Some of
the SW Florida residents on Conch-L  (or an internet search) may be
able to tell you if there are other campgrounds on Sanibel (or
adjacent Captiva Is) that have tent camping.

Anywhere you go, as Ellen said, be prepared for insects, it will
depend to a large extent on how wet and humid the weather has been
before you get there.

Steve R.


On 3/16/15, Ellen Bulger <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> It's been YEARS since I did it. but the state parks have glorious
> campgrounds. Bahia Honda was my favorite. I did not camp at Long Key, but
> it looked lovely. Found Pennekamp too buggy. In addition to various
> voracious bloodfeeders, there was an infestation of blister beetles when I
> was there. The ceilings of the women's showers were black with them because
> some dim bulb had propped the door open for the breeze. Mangroves are
> essential, but I would rather not camp in the thick of them.
>
>
>
> On Mon, Mar 16, 2015 at 7:00 AM, Jan Haspeslagh <[log in to unmask]>
> wrote:
>
>> Hi shellers,
>>
>>
>>
>> My wife and me are spending the Easter holidays in Florida. We’re
>> planning
>> in the Everglades, the Keys, Sanibel and Sarasota before heading to New
>> Orleans for a few days. Now I’m told that beach camping is very easy over
>> there (which would be the best option for shelling trips of course!). Is
>> this true, and does anybody have good addresses and tips? Do we need to
>> book online beforehand? Can we take our own tent? Is shelling allowed on
>> camping beaches?
>>
>>
>>
>> Thanks for any info!
>>
>>
>>
>> Best regards,
>>
>>
>>
>> Jan
>>
>>
>>
>> Jan Haspeslagh
>>
>>
>>
>> Oostende, Belgium
>>
>>
>>
>> *"To add a library to a house is to give that house a soul" (Cicero)*
>>
>>
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