About Big Cypress
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.
From the National Park Service.
- Region
- Southeast
- State
- Florida
- Designation
- National Preserve
- Entrance fee
- None listed
- Trail data for this park is still being added.
- Places for this park are still being added.
Know before you go
Fees, hours, weather and getting to Big Cypress.
Entrance fees
The National Park Service lists no entrance fee for this park.
Hours
Open 24 hours a day, every day.
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.
Weather and when to go
Big Cypress National Preserve experiences two predominant seasons- wet and dry. RAINY SEASON (May through October) While visiting during this season you may find daily afternoon thunderstorms, high humidity, temperatures in the mid-to-high 80s and a multitude of mosquitoes. DRY SEASON (November through April) Falling water levels within Big Cypress make this a pleasant time to hike, camp, and watch wildlife.
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.
Contact the park
- Address
- 33100 Tamiami Trail East, Ochopee, FL 34141
- Phone
- (239) 695-2000
- Official site
- nps.gov/bicy
From the National Park Service, checked weekly. Fees, hours and road conditions change: confirm with the park before you go.
Trip planner
A day-by-day plan for Big Cypress
Tell us your dates and what you are into. We group the stops by where they are, so each day is one part of the park, not a zigzag.
The trails and places you save below go into your plan as must-sees.
Plan your park trip Free. No account needed.
Things to do in Big Cypress
The park service's own list, with how long each takes.
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Stargazing in Big Cypress
Dark skies are essential natural, scientific, cultural, and economic resources. National Park sites, including Big Cypress National Preserve, are home to some of the last remainin…
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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 help orient the first-time visitor an…
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Fire Prairie Trail
This five-mile long out and back trail is a great way to see the sawgrass prairies of Big Cypress National Preserve. Good for all skill levels, this trail provides unique viewing…
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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 deepest lake in south Florida. Leave yourself about an hour to complete t…
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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 slower drive through the Preserve. It offers the opportunity to see some of the ma…
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Loop Road Scenic Drive
This 24 mile long drive, on a mostly unpaved gravel road, is a great scenic drive through the cypress swamp. See a variety of plant and wildlife species, while getting a closeup l…
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Gator Hook Trail
This moderately strenuous hike is a highly-immersive experience. Journey into the the Gator Hook Strand. Walk through water that is ankle to knee-deep. See alligators, snakes, bir…
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Oasis Visitor Center Boardwalk
This short boardwalk is a great viewing platform of alligators, birds, turtles, and fish.
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H.P. Williams Wayside Park
H.P. Williams Wayside Park is located immediately off of Highway 41. It includes a short boardwalk, picnic areas, and restrooms.
Campgrounds in Big Cypress
Run by the park service. Reservable sites book on Recreation.gov; first-come sites do not.
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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 grill…
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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 roa…
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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 t…
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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 t…
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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 biki…
What to pack for Big Cypress
Gear & Essentials
Tell us about your trip and we will add what else you will want:
The basics
Worth having in the car whatever the park.
For this trip
Traveling with kids
Bringing a pet
RVing
Backcountry
Winter conditions
On the water
Photography
Accessibility
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