Oyster Bay Chickee

Hey there, fellow Floridians! For those among us who truly crave an unparalleled wilderness experience, a genuine escape from the ordinary, Oyster Bay Chickee in Everglades National Park offers a one-of-a-kind backcountry camping adventure. This isn't your typical roadside campground; it's an elevated platform suspended over the serene waters of Florida Bay, providing an incredibly unique and immersive way to connect with the raw beauty of our state's most famous wetland. If you're an avid paddler, a seasoned adventurer, or simply someone looking to push their boundaries and witness Florida's wild heart, Oyster Bay Chickee promises an unforgettable journey into solitude and natural splendor.

Oyster Bay Chickee is located deep within Everglades National Park, in the vast expanse of Florida Bay. While the general address provided is "Florida, USA," it's crucial to understand that this is a remote backcountry site, accessible "only by water." The most common and recommended launch point is Flamingo, the southern gateway to Everglades National Park. From Flamingo, Oyster Bay Chickee is approximately 18 miles north, typically reached by traversing Whitewater Bay. This distance makes it an excellent first campsite for longer paddling trips originating from Flamingo, allowing for a manageable paddle to begin a multi-day adventure.

Access to chickee sites in the Everglades requires careful planning, including understanding tides and weather conditions. Paddlers need to be self-sufficient and well-prepared for a wilderness environment. The journey to Oyster Bay Chickee involves navigating through open water and potentially winding waterways, offering a true sense of exploration. Despite its remote nature, the "great location to stay near the grounds" comment likely refers to its strategic position within the larger network of backcountry sites, making it a convenient stop on an extended paddling itinerary. Its isolation is a key part of its appeal, ensuring a peaceful and undisturbed connection with the surrounding nature.

As a National Park Service backcountry chickee site, Oyster Bay Chickee provides essential, albeit primitive, services designed to facilitate an elevated camping experience while preserving the delicate Everglades ecosystem.

• Elevated Camping Platform (Chickee Hut): The primary service is the sturdy, wooden platform, elevated several feet above the water. This provides a dry, level, and secure place to pitch a tent, a crucial feature in a wetland environment.
• Thatched Roof and Open Sides: The chickee features a traditional thatched roof, offering shade and protection from rain, while its open sides allow for refreshing breezes to flow through, which can help mitigate insects.
• Portable Toilet: A self-contained portable toilet is typically provided on a separate structure or section of the chickee, ensuring proper waste management in this sensitive environment. Recent upgrades to some chickees include new, modern toilet facilities.
• Two Decks for Large Groups: Reviewers mention "Two decks for large groups," indicating that Oyster Bay Chickee is a "double chickee," providing ample space for two parties or a larger group, often linked by a walkway. This is a significant advantage for shared backcountry experiences.
• NPS Managed Site: As a National Park Service site, it benefits from maintenance (e.g., new wood planks and roofing noted in reviews) and is part of a regulated system that requires permits, helping to manage visitor impact.
• Safe Anchoring Space: While not a formal service, the design inherently allows for canoes, kayaks, or small boats to be tied securely to the platform, preventing them from drifting away.

Oyster Bay Chickee offers several compelling features and highlights that make it a highly desirable destination for adventurous Floridians seeking an authentic Everglades experience.

• Beautiful Sunrise Views: Reviews consistently highlight the "Beautiful view facing ESE" (East-Southeast), indicating spectacular sunrise opportunities over Florida Bay. This direct exposure to the rising sun is a prime photographic and scenic advantage.
• Excellent Cell Service (ATT): Surprisingly for a backcountry site, a reviewer noted that "ATT works pretty good here," which can be a comfort for safety or brief communication needs, though it's still a remote area.
• Strategic Location for Wilderness Waterway: Its position "just off the Wilderness Waterway" makes it an ideal stopover for multi-day paddling expeditions, offering a convenient and scenic resting point.
• Recent Upgrades: The mention of a "makeover with new 'plastic' wood planks and roofing along with a brand-new toilet" indicates ongoing improvements by the NPS, enhancing the comfort and sustainability of the site.
• Prevailing Winds: The chickee is "situated right next to the mangroves," but "faces eastward into prevailing winds," which helps with air circulation and can provide some relief from insects, especially during breezy conditions.
• Unique Over-Water Camping: The experience of sleeping elevated over the water is inherently unique and unforgettable, offering a sense of floating amidst the bay.
• Abundant Wildlife: As part of Everglades National Park, the surrounding area is teeming with diverse wildlife, including various bird species, fish, and potentially dolphins, offering fantastic viewing opportunities.

For all essential information regarding permits, current conditions, and safety guidelines for Oyster Bay Chickee and other backcountry sites in Everglades National Park, direct contact with the National Park Service is absolutely crucial.

Everglades National Park General Information: (305) 242-7700 (This is the primary contact for the park.)

Wilderness Camping Permits: Permits are required for all overnight backcountry camping. These can be reserved up to three months in advance via Recreation.gov or obtained on a first-come, first-served basis at the Flamingo Visitor Center (for eastern access) or Gulf Coast Visitor Center (for western access). Always check the official NPS website for the most current information on closures, conditions, and permit requirements.

Flamingo Visitor Center Address: 1 Flamingo Lodge Highway, Flamingo, FL 33034, USA (This is the closest physical visitor center to Oyster Bay Chickee's access point.)

Flamingo Visitor Center Phone (Flamingo Adventures concessionaire): (239) 695-2945 (Can often direct backcountry inquiries or assist with rentals.)

Official NPS Website for Wilderness Trip Planning: Everglades National Park Wilderness Camping (Highly recommended for detailed information on all chickee sites, regulations, and permit booking.)

For us Floridians, Oyster Bay Chickee is an exceptional destination that truly embodies the adventurous spirit of our state's unique natural environment. Its suitability for locals lies in its unparalleled ability to offer a deeply immersive wilderness experience that is both challenging and incredibly rewarding. This isn't just camping; it's an opportunity to paddle through the intricate waterways of the Everglades, to sleep elevated over the serene Florida Bay, and to witness breathtaking sunrises that few outside of this unique ecosystem ever see. The "beautiful view facing ESE" and the rare amenity of decent cell service (ATT) at a backcountry site add unexpected comforts to this rugged adventure.

While the reviews briefly mention being near "the grounds," it reinforces that this is a remote wilderness experience requiring self-sufficiency and proper planning for elements like insects (as with any Everglades trip). The availability of two decks makes it suitable for small groups or families ready to embark on a shared adventure. Oyster Bay Chickee is ideal for Floridians who own or rent kayaks/canoes, embrace the permit process, and are seeking to truly disconnect and appreciate the fragile yet stunning beauty of Everglades National Park. It's an opportunity to create indelible memories and foster a profound connection with the wild heart of Florida, right in our own backyard.

Oyster Bay Chickee

Florida, USA