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.

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.

  • Arts and Culture
  • Cultural Demonstrations
  • Auto and ATV
  • ATV Off-Roading
  • Scenic Driving
  • Astronomy
  • Stargazing
  • Biking
  • Road Biking
  • Boating
  • Boat Tour
  • Camping
  • Backcountry Camping
  • Car or Front Country Camping
  • Group Camping
  • RV Camping
  • Food
  • Picnicking
  • Guided Tours
  • Bus/Shuttle Guided Tour
  • Boat Tour
  • Hiking
  • Backcountry Hiking
  • Front-Country Hiking
  • Hunting and Gathering
  • Hunting
  • Paddling
  • Canoeing
  • Kayaking
  • Junior Ranger Program
  • Wildlife Watching
  • Birdwatching
  • Park Film
  • Museum Exhibits
  • Shopping
  • Bookstore and Park Store

  • Archeology
  • Arts
  • Photography
  • Explorers and Expeditions
  • Industry
  • Logging and Timber Cutting
  • Native American Heritage
  • Animals
  • Alligators or Crocodiles
  • Birds
  • Cats (wild)
  • Estuaries and Mangroves
  • Fire
  • Forests and Woodlands
  • Coniferous Forests
  • Deciduous Forests
  • Groundwater
  • Grasslands
  • Night Sky
  • River and Riparian
  • Unique Species
  • Endangered
  • Watersheds
  • Wetlands
  • Swamps

Small Alligator

A small alligator basking on top of dry vegetation.

Alligators, big and small, call Big Cypress National Preserve home.

Depths of the Swamp

A water filled swamp filled with lush green ferns and trees.

Cypress swamps while appearing mysterious, are peaceful and serene.

Big Cypress Milky Way

The milky way dominating a starry night sky over palm trees.

As an International Dark Sky Park, Big Cypress protects a beautiful night sky.

Canoeing through mangrove tunnels

two visitors in a canoe go through mangrove tunnels on the Turner River

Canoeing is one of the many activities you can enjoy in Big Cypress

Florida Panther

a Florida Panther sits in a tree

The Florida Panther is one of the most iconic animals of Big Cypress

Sunrise in Big Cypress

palm trees emerge out of the fog in an orange sunrise

palm trees emerge out of the fog as an orange sunrise dots the landscape

Prairies and Pine Lands in Big Cypress

A prairie foreground with tall pine trees in the background. A large blue sky with white cloud

large open expanses of prairie bordered by pine lands create stunning landscapes

Alligators of Big Cypress

Two Alligators rest on a river bank

Two Alligators rest on a river bank