Big Cypress National Preserve: Top Ways to Explore
Not far from the world-class dining and beautiful beach resorts of Naples and Marco Island, Big Cypress National Preserve beckons hikers, campers, and other nature enthusiasts to come exploring. The freshwater swamp ecosystem next to the Everglades is home to many species of animals as well as tropical and temperate plants. Walk among cypress and mangroves, spot birds, observe American alligators, and look for the elusive Florida panther. At 729,000 acres– an area larger than the state of Rhode Island – Big Cypress provides the most extensive contiguous acreage of habitat for panthers – a critically endangered species – in South Florida.
Established October 11, 1974, Big Cypress is the United States' first national preserve and welcomes approximately one million visitors each year to explore its largely untouched natural swampland.
Big Cypress National Preserve is celebrating its 50th anniversary with events throughout the year, such as the Swamp Heritage Festival—the festival will be held December 2, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 3 pm. The goal of this festival is to shine a spotlight upon the inhabitants of early South Florida, whose rugged strength and pioneering spirit contributed to the shaping of today's unique and diverse culture. Through living history demonstrations, informative presentations, and exhibits, everyone can learn what daily life was like in such a remote and, at times, bleak place. It is these unique chapters in American history that add to the rich and colorful tableau that comprises our shared past and present.
Here's a guide to visiting this natural gem.
Ranger-Led Hikes in Big Cypress
Big Cypress National Preserve offers plenty of activities and excursions. For an educational experience, join a free, ranger-led discovery hike – hosted regularly from November through April, weather permitting. Reserve your spot up to 14 days in advance at the Oasis Visitor Center or Swamp Visitor Center.
Guided Swamp Walks
Renowned nature photographer Clyde Butcher has a gallery adjacent to the preserve (open daily from 10 am to 5 pm). He is also well known for his guided eco-swamp walks and photo safari swamp walks. Participants on the walks get a glimpse of the preserve through Butcher's eyes as he points out the orchids, rare ferns, threatened bromeliads, native birds, and other swamp life he captures in his photographs.
Big Cypress Preserve's Hiking and Biking Trails
Those who would instead explore on their own can bike or hike a variety of scenic trails or even go off-roading around Big Cypress. Special four-wheel drive vehicles called swamp buggies are commonly used to access the preserve's more remote terrain. Permits and vehicle inspections are required to use off-road vehicle trails; visit the office at the Oasis Visitor Center for more information and to register your off-road vehicle.
Where (and When) to Go Paddling
Get a closer look at the diverse wildlife that calls Big Cypress National Preserve home by exploring the preserve's plentiful waterways. Several paddling routes converge at the border of Big Cypress National Preserve and Everglades National Park, where water flows over the flat landscape to the Gulf of Mexico. The trails pass through creeks, rivers, and bays, and most take three to seven hours to complete, depending on your launch and takeout points, the tidal stage, and your paddling speed. (These routes are recommended for intermediate-level paddlers and above.) Paddling season, characterized by a drop in water levels and lower temperatures, is from November through March, though some trails are accessible all year.
Big Cypress National Preserve's Best Camping Spots
Discover what it's like to live off the grid and sleep under the stars when you camp at Big Cypress National Preserve. The preserve offers eight tent and an RV campground, with backcountry camping also available. (Backcountry permits are required but can be obtained free of charge at both visitor centers or every backcountry trailhead.)
Reservations may be made online at recreation.gov for some campgrounds. Pink Jeep, Mitchell Landing, Gator Head, and Bear Island campgrounds are first-come, first-served, and reservations are unavailable. Two campgrounds (Pink Jeep and Gator Head) are only accessible by foot, bike, or permitted off-road vehicles.
Campgrounds may close seasonally; contact the Oasis Visitor Center at (239) 695-1201 or the Big Cypress Welcome Center at (239) 695-4758 for closure information.
Getting to Big Cypress
The preserve is easily accessible by car; it's so large that it borders many of Southwest Florida's major thoroughfares. Here are the easiest ways to get there from critical spots along the Paradise Coast.
Amidst the tranquil allure of Florida’s Paradise Coast lies a historic gem, the Museum of the Everglades, a portal to the rich tapestry of history and…
