About Big Cypress National Preserve
The freshwaters of the Big Cypress Swamp, essential to the health of the neighboring Everglades, support the rich marine estuaries along Florida's southwest coast. Conserving over 729,000 acres of this vast swamp, Big Cypress National Preserve contains a mixture of tropical and temperate plant communities that are home to diverse wildlife, including the Endangered Florida panther.
Quick Facts
Operating Hours
The preserve is open 24 hours a day 365 days a year. The Oasis Visitor Center and the Nathaniel P. Reed Visitor Center are closed on December 25th. No fee is charged for access to the preserve.
Activities
Getting There
Big Cypress National Preserve is located along Tamiami Trail East (US 41) and I-75 in southern Florida. The preserve can be accessed by driving from the cities of Miami and Naples. The preserve's two visitor centers are located along Tamiami Trail East.
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Topics & Themes
Things To Do
Stargazing in Big Cypress
Dark skies are essential natural, scientific, cultural, and economic resources. National Park sites, including Big Cypress National Preserve, are home…
Viewing the night sky in Big Cypress can be done throughout the year after sunset to sunrise. It is recommended…
Florida National Scenic Trail
This 36-mile contiguous section of the Florida National Scenic Trail is the southernmost portion of trail. This moderately strenuous hike…
Nathaniel P. Reed Visitor Center
The Nathaniel P. Reed Visitor Center offers exhibits, bathrooms, picnic areas, a short boardwalk, and visitor information materials that will…
The visitor center offers interactive exhibits, the park's introductory film, picnic areas, bathrooms, and a short scenic boardwalk. Stop by…
Fire Prairie Trail
This five-mile long out and back trail is a great way to see the sawgrass prairies of Big Cypress National…
This 5-mile round trip hike (out and back) is a great way to see the sawgrass prairies of Big Cypress…
The Deep Lake Trail
This one-mile moderate hike to Deep Lake is a unique experiences. Deep Lake is over 95 feet deep, and the…
This mile long round trip trail is a relatively easy hike that will take you out to Deep Lake. Closed…
Turner River/Wagonwheel/Birdon Scenic Drive
This 16-mile loop drive is a great way to get away from the traffic along Highway 41, and take a…
This scenic drive follows three gravel roads out into the preserve. The roads are passable by any street legal vehicles,…
Visitor Centers
Nathaniel P. Reed Visitor Center
Nathaniel P. Reed Visitor Center is a facility that was designed with energy conservation in mind, making maximum use of renewable resources. The visitor center…
Hours: The Visitor Center is open every day of the week, year-round, except December 25.
Oasis Visitor Center
Built in the 1960s, this building was once a private airport with a hanger and restaurant. It was rather eye-catching from the road due to…
Hours: Florida National Parks Association bookstore and shop. Public restrooms. Staff are available to assist visitors with information about available activities.
Campgrounds
Bear Island Campground
Primitive campground with no water. Vault toilets available. Forty designated sites. Access to the Bear Island Campground is at the end of a 20-mile secondary…
Burns Lake
Primitive camping with no water. Vault toilets available. This site provides day use picnic area and backcountry access parking. The campground accommodates 15 designated RV/tent…
Gator Head
This is a primitive campground, which contains nine campsites. No water. Vault toilets are available. This campground is accessible only by permitted off-road vehicles, biking…
Midway Campground
This campground offers electric hookups for RV sites, dump station, flush toilets, and water. Each RV campsite has its own picnic table and hibachi style…
Mitchell's Landing
Primitive camping with no water. Vault toilets are available. Eleven sites available. Access to the Mitchell Landing Campground is along a secondary gravel road.
Monument Lake
Monument Lake campground offers restrooms, drinking water and designated 26 RV and 10 tent sites. NO HOOKUPS for electricity, sewer or water are available at…
Pinecrest
This campground is for group camping only. Four sites available to accommodate eight tents at 15 people each.There is no water or restroom facilities. Access…
Pink Jeep
This is a primitive campground, containing nine campsites. No water. Vault toilets are available. Pink Jeep can be accessed by off-road vehicle, hiking or biking.…
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