Cypress Creek Preserve

First off try to enter the park during the day. When entering at night the campground gets a bit confusing. We came in at night and weren't sure if we were in a spot or not. There seems to be 6 spots 2 on the direct right when you enter the campground and 2 on the opposite end. It may be hard to get a bigger rig or trailer to the other side due to low trees. The there are 2 directly in front of you when you enter. The road to get in to the campground is almost 2 miles so stay the course. Its basic but it feels safe and secluded. Also you must register online before entering. After that they will give you the code to the lock at the gate. Like I said try to enter during the day. They also have firepits and picnic tables. Enjoy

We loved this place. A little challenge at 1st finding. Don’t enter Cypress Creek into Google Maps that will take you to main entrance and not camping spot. Trust coordinates here. There are 2 spots with one labeled as equestrian. We stayed in the non-equestrian spot which is smaller. The equestrian spot had several big rigs with not a horse in site.

I would not recommend using the port-a-johns or counting on a picnic table or fire ring. We lucked out and got a great spot with excellent solar, picnic table & fire ring.

Reservations get you in but don’t guarantee a specific spot. That is 1st come 1st serve. A ranger did come by & ask to see our permit.

Made a free reservation and obtained the gate code. Online reservation system used by the Southwest Florida Water Management District was great. We visited Cypress Creek Preserve early afternoon to check road and height conditions and clearance. The primitive camping area is not accessible to 13 ft height clearance and there is not enough space inside the primitive campground to maneuver a big rig. See photos. There is no trash service; it is pack it in, pack it out. Nevertheless, piles of trash were heaped next to the unserviceable porta-potty. The place does have charm for tent camping or smaller campers that are not restricted by overhead clearance.

Is it churlish to complain about a free campsite? I feel it is slightly, but maybe I was spoilt by the previous week in a camp where there was a permanent drop toilet and not a full almost to touching the seat temporary set up here. I’m not particularly fussy but it put me off and along with the fact that I couldn’t find any decent trails nearby I wouldn’t be bothered to go there again, for me it’s a stopover only although the site itself would most likely suit a lot of folks

Overall, I had a very positive experience at the primitive campground.
Pros...
The primitive area has 2 sites, each with picnic tables and fire rings. There's also an roofed group area with a grill.
The grounds are well maintained and wonderful long dirt roads for walking or bike riding. Quite a few dog walkers and people are generally friendly.
The area is secured by a gate and they send the code with your free permit.
Also, plenty of fire wood to be gathered.
The Cons. ...
Primitive port a jon is horrific, you will need to walk to the RV camp which is just bad.

When we put the 5500 Parkway address into Google maps, it took us to the cross street of Regina Place which is NEAR a corner of the preserve boundary, but the only RV access is quite a ways south, toward Pine View Elementary School. You have to make a turn to continue on the correct leg of Parkway Blvd. So don't trust Google maps on this one! Better to navigate to Pine View Elementary (5534 Parkway Blvd) and go about 1/2 mile farther north.

We stayed here for 5 nights and it was great. We stayed in the equestrian area. It was easy to access, and one group was just leaving as we got here. Never more than one other spot taken while we were here. I think it might be a party spot on the weekends, but we stayed through the week, so I don't really know. One loud-ish group was here mid-week, but the sites are secluded enough that we didn't really notice them. Lots of trails around (really flat, but trails nonetheless). Had cell service with all three of our providers, so we were able to work here. Saw a couple armadillos (which is cool for us from the north), and heard a barred owl and some coyotes. Obviously no hookups or dumping, but the sites have picnic tables and fire pits. Definitely would come back.

Another free and beautiful location in Florida. Who says there are no free camping in Florida? Access is via A locked gate where you can get the combination by completing a free reservation online. Combination will be sent to you via email. This is a very small primitive camping area. I would suggest if you were a larger rig to head to the equestrian sites just up the other roadway. You do need to apply for equestrian site rather than primitive site when online. We are in a 40 foot rig and able to camp but if there were many others here it would not be possible. There is a porter potty here and fire rings throughout. The preserve is large andBeautiful and there are many local residents hiking and going for runs. lots of mosquitoes however the tranquility makes you forget about that. And its free :) access is via a dirt/ hard packed road. Easily passable.