Big Cypress National Preserve

Big Cypress National Preserve is a large protected area of cypress swamp and wetlands in southern Florida that buffers and connects to Everglades ecosystems. Created by Congress in the 1970s, the preserve protects important water-flow and habitat values while allowing a range of recreational and traditional uses.

The landscape is dominated by cypress strands, mangroves and sawgrass prairies and supports species such as wading birds, alligators and the Florida panther. The preserve offers scenic drives, hiking, backcountry hunting in season and wildlife viewing, with informal or seasonal access on unpaved roads.

Management emphasizes both conservation of hydrology and habitat and public access through designated roads, trails and visitor facilities.

The preserve lies west of the southern Everglades and is accessed from communities along U.S. 41 and nearby towns such as Ochopee and Everglades City in southern Florida.

• Conservation purpose: Established by Congress in the 1970s to protect cypress wetlands and the water flow essential to the Everglades ecosystem, the preserve permits a mix of recreation and traditional uses.
• Visiting conditions: Wildlife viewing opportunities are best in the cooler, drier months; visitors should be prepared for remote conditions and seasonal wet roads.

What to See#

• Big Cypress Swamp: A vast swamp and wetlands landscape of cypress strands, prairies and sloughs that provides habitat for diverse wildlife including alligators, wading birds and the Florida panther.
• Big Cypress Visitor Center: A visitor center near Ochopee that provides park information, exhibits about preserve ecosystems and trip planning resources for backcountry travel.
• Scenic and backcountry roads: A network of scenic and unpaved roads, including named routes used for wildlife viewing, hunting seasons and authorized off-road recreation where permitted.

• Plan visits in the dry season (roughly November-April) when mosquito pressure is lowest and many unpaved roads and trails are accessible; parts of Big Cypress become difficult or impassable after heavy rains.
• Stop first at the Big Cypress Visitor Center to get current road-condition and trail information from rangers-several scenic routes (including long unpaved drives) require high clearance or 4WD and are often overlooked by day visitors.