Panther Pond Primitive Campground Okaloacoochee Slough State Forest

State forest in Hendry County, Florida Also known as Panther Pond Campground

Aerial view of Panther Pond Primitive Campground Okaloacoochee Slough State Forest
Aerial view
USDA NAIP via USGS

State forest with 16 sites

Pets welcome, On the water

From the park's website, Oct 2026

Not yet confirmed by phone. Details can change, so check with the park before you go.

16 sites
Rigs up to 50 ft
Open year-round

Open year round (ReserveAmerica); same rate in non-peak (Apr 16 - Nov 30) and peak (Dec 1 - Apr 15) seasons.

Pick your exact site online

Source: Official website

Book online

Through State reservations

Primitive Florida Forest Service campground in Okaloacoochee Slough State Forest off County Road 832 near Felda, east of Fort Myers, with 15 tent-only sites and one RV site that fits a rig up to 50 ft. There are no hookups, no potable water and only portable toilets; black bears live in the area.

What stands out

  • 15 tent sites and a single RV site that fits up to 50 ft
  • No hookups or potable water; portable toilets and dumpster
  • Black bear country: food must be locked away
  • Quiet hours 10 pm to 5 am
  • About $9 a night before tax

Sites

Tent Only primitive site

Hookups
No hookups
Power
Not listed
Pull-through
Not listed
Max length
Not listed
Pad
Not listed
Number of sites
15
Nightly
$9.09

RV or Tent primitive site (site 016)

Hookups
No hookups
Power
Not listed
Pull-through
Not listed
Max length
50 ft
Pad
Not listed
Number of sites
1
Nightly
$9.09

What this place offers

  • Fishing
  • Pond
  • Hiking trails

What this place offers

  • Fishing
  • Pond
  • Hiking trails
  • Portable restrooms
  • Dumpster
  • Picnic table and fire ring with grill at each site

Things to know

Rig rules

  • No RV age limit listed
  • Rigs up to 50 ft

Pets

  • Pets allowed
  • ReserveAmerica lists Pets Allowed: Y only on site 016; tent site records do not say. State Forest rule: leashed pets in designated areas.

Arrival

  • Check-in: 3:00 PM
  • Check-out: 1:00 PM
  • Open year round (ReserveAmerica); same rate in non-peak (Apr 16 - Nov 30) and peak (Dec 1 - Apr 15) seasons.

Cancellation: ReserveAmerica policy: cancel online or by phone; 1 or more days before arrival a $9 non-refundable cancellation fee; day of or after arrival cancel through the call center, $9 plus the first night's fee; after arrival, later nights refunded less $9, no same-night refunds. Reservations automatically refunded if the campground closes for a tropical storm or hurricane warning.

Included in the rate: Up to 8 people and 2 vehicles per site (ReserveAmerica).

Other fees: ReserveAmerica reservation fee $5.79; rate excludes tax.

Good to know

From the park's own website and other official pages. Policies change, so confirm with the park.

Location and directions

  • From I-75 take exit 138 (FL-82) east 20 miles, left on S Church Road, right on Church Road/Felda Church Road 6 miles, left on FL-29 N 2.5 miles, right on Keri Road 6.4 miles to the Okaloacoochee Slough State Forest sign.
  • The forest is about 30 miles east of Fort Myers and is reached along County Road 832, marked by self-service pay stations.
  • RV site 016 is 2.5 miles south of County Road 832 on Wildcow Grade, a limerock road.

Rates and fees

  • Camping discounts for age 65+, active-duty military or honorably discharged veterans, and 100% disabled; call ReserveAmerica (877) 879-3859 to register documentation, then the discount applies at checkout.
  • FFS fee schedule (rev. 2016): primitive camping $10 per site (max 5 persons); group camping $20/day for up to 10 persons and 4 vehicles, $2 each extra person, $5 each extra vehicle; firewood $5 per bundle where available.
  • State Forest day pass $2 per person (children 0-6 free); annual pass $45 for up to 6 persons.
  • ReserveAmerica policy: cancel online or by phone; 1 or more days before arrival a $9 non-refundable cancellation fee; day of or after arrival cancel through the call center, $9 plus the first night's fee; after arrival, later nights refunded less $9, no same-night refunds. Reservations automatically refunded if the campground closes for a tropical storm or hurricane warning.

Rules

  • State Forest rules: drive on designated roads only, 30 mph limit unless posted, alcohol prohibited where posted, no glass containers on State Forest waterways, no rope swings or diving from banks or trees.
  • Leashed pets are welcome in designated areas in most State Forests; check with the forest before visiting.
  • Horses in State Forests need proof of a current negative Coggins test; equestrian riders under 16 must wear a certified helmet.
  • Quiet hours 10 pm - 5 am.
  • Be bear aware: keep all food in approved containers or locked in your vehicle and remove food from the area after eating.

Amenities and services

  • No electric hookups and no potable water.
  • Campground is a loop with portable restrooms and a dumpster at the south end; each site has picnic table and fire ring with grill.

Activities and nearby

  • Many miles of open forest roads for hiking and biking; fishing in canals, ponds and ditches reachable by vehicle; Twin Mills Trail is in the Trailwalker Program.
  • Wildlife includes Florida panther, Florida black bear, sandhill crane, wood stork and gopher tortoise.
  • Quota hunts (spring gobbler, archery, general gun, hog, dove) run by FWC in the Okaloacoochee Slough WMA.
  • Nearby attractions listed: LaBelle Heritage Museum, Barron Park in LaBelle, Clewiston Sugarland Tours, skydiving in Clewiston, Roland & Mary Ann Martin's Marina, Big 'O' Airboat Tours.

Weather and hurricane policy

  • The Florida Forest Service closes all State Forest campgrounds when the county is under a Tropical Storm or Hurricane Warning; reservations are refunded automatically.

Workamping

  • Volunteers needed for exotics treatment and facility, grounds and trail maintenance; contact Michael Weston, [email protected].

Ownership

  • Operated by the Florida Forest Service (Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services).

On Google

Rating, reviews and photos from the park's Google listing.

Read reviews on Google

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FL

Directions

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