Review with photos of FREE camping at Dinner Island Wildlife Management Area near Clewiston in Florida.
WARNING – This area is in a flood zone. Do not book here after or during a period of rain.
At A Glance
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission – WMA and WEA – Dinner Island WMA.
- Free – Two Areas separated by a road. Kowechobe Camp has 20 sites, Hammock Camp has 17 sites
- Tents and small RVS in Hammock, RVs, and tents of all sizes at Kowechobe.
- Toilet at Hammock Camp
- No gates.
- There are generator restrictions for some sites in Hammock Camp.
- Both camp areas are vulnerable to flooding after periods of heavy rain and access may require 4WD then
- 14 nights max in a 30-day period.
- Free dump station and restrooms at John Stretch Memorial Park near Clewiston
- Kowechobe Camp – 26.49791, -81.12955
- Hammock Camp – 26.49941, -81.13085
Location Map
Zoom into the area halfway between Delray Beach on Florida’s east coast and Cape Coral on the west coast. The campsites have green icons.
My Experience
I needed a free location near the middle of South Florida while exploring my future options in both Naples and Fort Lauderdale.
I chose Kowechobe because the sites were exposed to full sun for my solar. Hammock Camp is mostly under the trees and it is quite dense and dark (and damp) in there. It was a good decision.
Kowechobe is a large grassy open field with 20 sites in two rows of 10 each. When full, there will be a total lack of privacy but there were only 3 sites booked during my stay so it worked out well.
The sites are large and you can fit anything in there but the grass will be slippery when wet. You WILL get stuck in mud in heavy rains.
Across the road, Hammock Camp looked too compact for my liking. Most sites are close to each other and for me, it is too dark under the thick tree cover. Several sites were very muddy but having a toilet nearby is nice.
I enjoyed my stay at Kowechobe but was lucky to have no neighbors. The grass in the pasture was quite long and I was concerned about ticks. Did not see any thank goodness.
For some reason, these sites also attract RVs in terrible states of repair. I am hesitant to say this but the open field does resemble a junkyard at times. I have some photos (taken during other visits) but decided not to post them.
I will not return in the future.
Plenty of mosquitoes at sunset and early AM. Verizon worked ok. Had much fun in Clewiston at the Tiki Bar (where they spray Citronella from the ceiling starting at sunset!)
Photos
About the Florida WMA and WEA
Please read my article about the Florida Wildlife and Environment Management Areas and the booking process BEFORE booking! It will save you time and frustration.