Big Cypress National Preserve, FL Travel Guide
Big Cypress National Preserve, FL Travel Guide
Plan Your Trip
Planning a stop at Big Cypress National Preserve?
Start at the Oasis Visitor Center, on the eastern side of the preserve along the Tamiami Trail in Ochopee. It's the main welcome station for incoming visitors, with a boardwalk, wildlife observation deck, and a rotating art exhibit, and it also marks the southern end of the Florida National Scenic Trail.
From there, this 729,000-acre swamp preserve stretches west toward Naples, packed with ancient cypress strands, alligator-filled canals, and some of the last wild Florida panthers on Earth.
Top Things to Do
1. Stop at the Oasis Visitor Center—Watch alligators from the boardwalk and catch the park's orientation film before you drive on.
2. Walk the Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk—See one of the last stands of virgin bald cypress trees in Florida, some over six hundred years old.
3. Visit the Ochopee Post Office—Mail a postcard from the smallest post office in the United States, once a tomato storage shed.
4. Explore the Miccosukee Indian Village—Learn the living history and culture of the Miccosukee Tribe.
5. Tour the Nathaniel P. Reed Visitor Center—See indoor and outdoor exhibits on the human and natural history of Big Cypress Swamp.
6. Drive Loop Road—A slower, unpaved detour through cypress hammocks, alligators, and wading birds.
7. See the Bay City Walking Dredge—View the massive machine that walked on metal feet to build the Tamiami Trail through solid swamp.
Download the Complete Travel Guide
Includes:
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✓ Complete travel guide
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✓ Printable map
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✓ One-day itinerary
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✓ Hidden gems
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✓ Travel tips
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✓ Offline access
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✓ Bonus recommendations not included on this page
Our Self Guided Tour
Big Cypress' Salvation Driving Tour is a GPS-triggered audio tour covering 32 stops along the Tamiami Trail and Loop Road. Most visitors spend 3 to 5 hours exploring the full route with stops.
Free Things to Do
1. Oasis Visitor Center—Free to enter, with a boardwalk and wildlife viewing deck.
2. Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk—A free walk into virgin cypress forest.
3. Ochopee Post Office—Free to visit and photograph, the smallest post office in the country.
4. Nathaniel P. Reed Visitor Center—Free indoor and outdoor exhibits, plus a short boardwalk.
5. Kirby Storter Roadside Park—A free boardwalk trail into a cypress dome.
THINGS WITH ADMISSION FEES:
1. Buffalo Tiger's Airboat Tours—Around $50 for adults.
2. Miccosukee Indian Village—Around $25 for adults.
3. Collier-Seminole State Park—A $6 per-vehicle entrance fee, home to the Bay City Walking Dredge.
Food!
Joanie's Blue Crab Café
A swamp-side roadhouse right on the Tamiami Trail in Ochopee, known for fried gator and Southern comfort food in a rustic, screened-in dining room.
Camellia Street Grill
A waterfront spot in Everglades City, known for fresh local seafood and a laid-back Old Florida atmosphere.
Havana Café
A Cuban spot in nearby Chokoloskee, known for hearty, homestyle plates and irregular but worth-checking hours.
Where to Stay
In Everglades City
Everglades Adventures Hotel Suites by Ivey House, Rod and Gun Club—historic and eco-lodge options close to the preserve's southern edge. Roughly $150–$300/night.
In Ochopee & Port of the Islands
Port of the Islands Everglades Adventure Resort—a marina community resort a short drive from the Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk. Roughly $150–$280/night.
Budget-Friendly
Captain's Table Hotel, Everglades City Motel—both in Everglades City. Roughly $80–$150/night.
1 Day Itinerary
1-DAY ITINERARY:
Morning: Take Big Cypress' Salvation Driving Tour, starting at Buffalo Tiger's Airboat Tours.
Afternoon: Stop at the Ochopee Post Office, the Skunk Ape Research Headquarters, and the Nathaniel P. Reed Visitor Center.
Evening: Finish at the Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk and Collier-Seminole State Park, then dinner in Everglades City.
2-DAY ITINERARY:
Add a second day for a Loop Road detour, an airboat tour, and more time exploring Everglades City and the Ten Thousand Islands.
FAQ's
1. What is Big Cypress National Preserve best known for?
Big Cypress is best known for its cypress swamps, alligators, and as one of the last strongholds of the endangered Florida panther.
2. Where should I start my visit?
Most visitors start at the Oasis Visitor Center on the eastern side of the preserve, or the Nathaniel P. Reed Visitor Center on the western side near Ochopee.
3. Is Big Cypress good for a day trip from Miami or Naples?
Yes, it's about 90 minutes from Miami and roughly 45 minutes from Naples, making it an easy day trip from either city.
4. Do I need a 4WD vehicle?
No for the main Tamiami Trail route. Loop Road includes unpaved sections best driven slowly in any standard vehicle.
5. Is Big Cypress family-friendly?
Yes, with boardwalks, visitor centers, and roadside stops suitable for all ages.
6. What's the best time of year to visit?
The dry season, November through April, offers the best wildlife viewing and fewer bugs, though it's also the busiest time.
7. Might I see a Florida panther?
It's possible but rare, since panthers hunt at dawn and dusk and avoid people.
8. How much time should I plan for Big Cypress?
A half to full day covers the main Tamiami Trail stops; two days lets you add Loop Road and Everglades City.
Recommended Tours
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