Electricity Comes To Flamingo Campground in Everglades National Park

There's still no lodge to head into at day's end at Flamingo in Everglades National Park, but there soon will be electrical hookups at the campground there.

As of January 15 you'll be able to plug in your RV or, I suppose, your tent if you have one of the new ones that's wired for lighting.

Everglades officials say that in response to visitor requests they have upgraded 41 sites in the 'T' loop area of the Flamingo Campground with electrical hook-ups. This campground is one of the most popular in the 1.5-million-acre park and is located at the extreme southern tip of the park approximately 38 miles south of the Homestead main entrance.

The nightly campground fee will increase from $16 to $30 for each of the 41 sites with electric hookups, the park has announced. The fees apply to anyone using these sites, regardless of whether they use the electric hook-ups or not. Sites are first come, first serve and not available in 2011 on the national reservation system. The remaining sites at both campgrounds will remain the same.

The Interagency Annual, Everglades Annual, Senior and Access passes will be accepted for the entrance fee. The Senior and Access passes will provide a 50 percent discount for camping fees.

Funding for this project comes from entrance, camping and backcountry user fees collected throughout the park, officials say.

If you have additional questions, contact park information at 305-242-7700.