Last Updated on 20 July, 2026 by Robyn Dockendorf

Imagine 729,000 acres of land covered in trees whose roots are elevated above the water. Where you can see an alligator, a manatee, and panther tracks all in one day. Where you can take an off-road vehicle through preserved land and experience it to the fullest. Welcome to Big Cypress!

Big Cypress Preserve is a National Preserve in Southern Florida that offers visitors a nearly endless list of activities to do. It features beautiful swamps, an abundance of wildlife, and airboat and off-road vehicle (ORV) trails.

Here are the 12 things you can do at Big Cypress Preserve:

1. Hiking and Biking
2. Canoeing and Kayaking
3. Off-Road Vehicle Riding
4. Wildlife Viewing
5. Camping
6. Hunting and Fishing
7. Scenic Drives
8. Check out the Visitor Centers
9. Visit a Roadside Park
10. Have a Picnic
11. Experience the Park After Dark
12. Join a Ranger-Led Program

Use this article as your guide if you plan to visit Big Cypress National Preserve. I’ll go over everything you can do, from exploring the visitor center to riding in a swamp buggy. There’s something for every style of adventure!

This post includes affiliate links, but rest assured that we only recommend items we would use ourselves. If you choose to make a purchase, we receive a small commission at no extra charge to you. There are no sponsorships; this is just the truth about our favorite finds.

Big Cypress Preserve Basics

Before we jump into everything there is to do at this magical preserve, let’s go over some of the basics like entrance fees, location, and pet information.

• Entrance Fee: None
• Location: 
  • Headquarters: 33100 Tamiami Trl E, Ochopee, FL 34141
  • Nathaniel P. Reed Visitor Center: 33000 Tamiami Trail East, Ochopee, Florida 34141
  • Oasis Visitor Center: 52105 Tamiami Trail East, Ochopee, Florida 34141
• Hours/Season: Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Visitor centers are closed on Christmas (December 25th).
• Pets: Not allowed on any hiking trails, boardwalks, in the backcountry, or inside visitor centers.

The best time to visit Big Cypress Preserve is the dry season, which runs from November through April. Humidity, temperatures, and water levels are lower, making it a much more enjoyable experience.

If you come in the rainy season (May through October), be prepared for afternoon thunderstorms, high humidity, and mosquitoes. We recommend using a natural bug repellent, such as Murphy’s Naturals, to keep biting insects away.

Big Cypress National Preserve was the first National Preserve established in the United States. Unlike a National Park, there are far fewer restrictions, giving visitors more opportunities to explore this beautiful landscape.

Now, let’s move on to the 12 things to do at Big Cypress Preserve!

1. Hiking and Biking

Exploring the preserve on foot or via mountain bike is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in nature and soak in all this land has to offer. By traveling on foot through the preserve, you might quietly observe a river otter swimming, a wading bird fishing, or even a black bear!

But hiking at Big Cypress isn’t like other places! Most trails are wet hiking, also known as swamp hiking, meaning you’ll be in ankle-to-waist-deep water at some point along the trail.

So, how exactly do you hike in water? Here are a few tips:

• Shoes: Wear quick-drying, lightweight shoes, such as trail running shoes or water shoes. Avoid clunky waterproof boots.
• Socks: Pack extra socks to change into after wading through the water.
• Feet: Bring anti-chafing balm or powder, like Bodyglide Anti-Chafe.
• Gear: Trekking poles are helpful when wading through water to keep your footing and feel out the depth of the water.

When wading in water, keep an eye out for alligators and snakes. Coral and cottonmouth snakes prefer places near water and are highly venomous. However, note that these slithering reptiles are generally not aggressive and would prefer to avoid confrontation. 

Just in case, you can check out our guide on what to do if you see a snake on a hike for tips on how to handle a scaly situation.

Let’s check out the hiking and biking trails in Big Cypress National Preserve!

Hiking Trails

Big Cypress Preserve hiking is allowed on both designated trails and off–trail in the backcountry. Designated trails are your best bet if you’re new to hiking or new to water hiking.

Getting your feet wet in the swamps may seem intimidating to those who have never done it before. Designated trails are a way to dip your toes (literally!) into the art of water hiking.

• Florida National Scenic Trail: This 1,400-mile trail cuts right through the Preserve, stretching for a section of 36 miles from north to south through Big Cypress.
  • Trailhead Access (Click for Google Maps): Oasis Visitor Center (Hwy 41) or I-75 eastbound and westbound.
• Deep Lake Trail: A 1.5-mile out-and-back trail that ends at Deep Lake – an enormous sinkhole with freshwater at the surface and saltwater at the bottom. A great hike for beginners. It walks through a cypress strand, offering opportunities to spot wildlife.
  • Trailhead Access: Highway 29.
• Gator Hook Trail: A moderately challenging 5-mile out-and-back trail with sections of water hiking. Many say this is one of the best hikes in the Preserve, but it can get overgrown in the rainy season.
  • Trailhead Access: Off the Scenic Loop Road.
• Fire Prairie Trail: A less-populated 5-mile out-and-back trail, the Fire Prairie Trail is the only dry trail in the preserve and a great way to experience solitude. It is very exposed after the initial 0.5 miles, so be prepared by bringing sunscreen and a sun hat.
  • Trailhead Access: Turner River Road
• Tree Snail Hammock Loop: A short 0.2-mile loop trail through shaded forest. Look for the beautiful Florida Tree Snail while hiking, but be mindful of mosquitoes! The trail is mostly dry but can get muddy at times.
  • Trailhead Access: Off the Scenic Loop Road.

Some hiking trails, like the Fire Prairie Trail, are also open to mountain biking. In terms of hiking etiquette, mountain bikers yield to hikers, but I always feel it’s courteous to step off the trail when bikers come through – they’re going faster after all!

Remember to pack out any trash, like wrappers and plastic bags. By keeping Big Cypress Preserve clean, we’re ensuring the trails stay open.

Biking Trails

If mountain biking is more your speed, you’ll be happy to know there are miles and miles of biking trails throughout the preserve. Biking is a great way to get the most out of the Preserve while still being quiet enough to observe wildlife and breathe in the nature around you.

• Fire Prairie Trail: This 5-mile out-and-back trail is open to both hiking and biking. Much of the trail is exposed, so bring plenty of water and sun protection. The trail can get muddy, but it is dry most of the way.
  • Trailhead Access: Turner River Road
• Bear Island Grade: A beautiful, mostly flat 20-mile lollipop loop with opportunities to spot wildlife and wildflowers. Much of the trail is a gravel access road closed to vehicle traffic, but sections of it are on off-road vehicle (ORV) trails, which can be muddy.
  • Trailhead Access: Off Highway 29
• Loop Road Scenic Drive: A 24-mile scenic road open to vehicles, hikers, and mountain biking. The road meanders through cypress strands and over waterways, making it a fantastic opportunity to spot alligators, fish, and wading birds.
  • Trailhead Access: Off Highway 41, including a west and east access point.
• Turner River Road: A 20-mile (one-way) gravel road that follows the Turner River Canal and eventually leads to a section of the Bear Island Grade. The road is completely exposed, so be prepared with water and sun protection.
  • Trailhead Access: Off Highway 41 at the H.P. Williams Wayside Park.

Mountain Biking is also allowed on all ORV trails in Big Cypress Preserve, but many of the trails are difficult for biking because they are muddy and wet. However, you can check out the National Park Service ORV trail map of Big Cypress if interested.

There are no bike service stations in Big Cypress, so it’s important to bring all repair tools, patches, and kits with you, as well as plenty of water and snacks. 

Biking in wilderness like Big Cypress means being prepared for self-rescue. The Topeak Deluxe Accessory Kit comes with a pump, multi-functional tool, two tire levers, and a storage bag that can be helpful in those uh-oh moments on the trail!

2. Canoeing and Kayaking

If you want to experience Big Cypress Preserve in a way untouched by hikers or bikers, then canoeing and kayaking are the way to go. Paddle the waterways in the untamed cypress and mangrove forests and experience the park like few others get to see!

Four canoe and kayak trails exist in Big Cypress, each with varying lengths and levels of difficulty. You can find a paddling trails map here.

• Turner River Paddling Trail: 9.93 miles through cypress strands, sawgrass prairies, and intertidal mangrove trees. It usually takes anywhere from 4 to 7 hours to complete this route.
  • Put in: U.S. 41 paddling access site west of Turner River Road
  • Take out: Chokoloskee Island or the NPS Gulf District Ranger Station
• Halfway Creek and Halfway Creek Loop Paddling Trails: 7.28 miles of paddling through cypress strands and sawgrass prairies. It typically takes 4 to 5 hours to complete.
  • Put in: Seagrape Drive, 1/4 mile west of the Big Cypress National Preserve Headquarters in Ochopee
  • Take out: NPS Gulf District Ranger Station or Chokoloskee Island
• Lefthand Turner River Paddling Trail: 3.65 miles through an intertidal mangrove forest. Expect to spend 3 to 4 hours completing this trail.
  • Put in: Chokoloskee Island or the NPS Gulf District Ranger Station
  • Take out: Chokoloskee Island or the NPS Gulf District Ranger Station
• Sandfly Island Loop Paddling Trail: 3.73 miles of paddling through intercoastal mangrove tree islands, oyster banks, brackish marine environments, and open bay. It takes between 3 and 5 hours to complete.
  • Put in: NPS Gulf District Ranger Station in Everglades City
  • Take out: NPS Gulf District Ranger Station in Everglades City

The majority of the paddling trails cross into Everglades National Park. The best time to go paddling in Big Cypress is November through March.

Remember to arrange for a second vehicle to park at the take-out points, and be aware of weather changes, especially thunderstorms with lightning.

3. Off-Road Vehicle Riding

ORV riding is a pastime from before Big Cypress National Preserve was even established. Some private property located on the preserve can only be accessed by ORVs. 

Big Cypress Preserve has a vast network of designated ORV trails, but with some restrictions:

• Purpose: ORV riding is for hunting, fishing, frogging, camping, or wildlife observation. Racing, mudding, and dirt bike riding are prohibited because they damage the delicate ecosystem.
• Permit required: To ride an ORV on trails in Big Cypress, you must obtain a permit by going through a 3-step process that includes completing an ORV operator course, obtaining a vehicle inspection sticker, and purchasing an annual off-road vehicle permit.
• Stay on the trail: ORV riding off designated trails is prohibited. Be sure to always stay on the trail to preserve the natural ecosystem and minimize disturbance to wildlife.

The ORV trail system at Big Cypress is split into four units: Bear Island, Corn Dance, Stairsteps, and Turner River. Check out the links for trail maps of each unit!

4. Wildlife Viewing

Skittering, slithering, swimming, and flapping critters are abundant at Big Cypress Preserve. Whether you’re hiking, biking, canoeing, or driving an ORV, the chance to spot wildlife is pretty high.

Five distinct habitats exist in Big Cypress, each offering a home to unique plants and animals. 

• Hardwood Hammocks: Slightly elevated with a tropical feel and plenty of shade, these areas are where you’re most likely to encounter black bears and the endangered Florida Panther. 
• Pineland: This habitat is dominated by the South Florida Slash Pine and Saw Palmetto. Here, you’re likely to spot Red Cockaded Woodpeckers and the Big Cypress Fox Squirrel.
• Prairies: The prairies in Big Cypress may be wet or dry, but typically experience flooding for 50 to 150 days per year. Here you’re likely to spot the marsh rabbit, snails, fish, and wading birds.
• Cypress Swamp: This habitat is dominated by Cypress trees with air plants draped on branches. This is common territory for river otters and the American alligator, as well as a variety of water birds, fish, turtles, and frogs.
• Estuaries: This low-lying habitat in Big Cypress is where freshwater from the swamp meets the saltwater from the Gulf of Mexico. It’s one of the best places to observe manatees, and where many marine animals come to give birth to young.

Alligators and wading birds are some of the most common species observed throughout the park. They can be found in canals alongside the roads and in the swamps and estuaries. There are plenty of endangered species in Big Cypress as well, such as the Florida Panther, Florida Bonneted Bat, and the Big Cypress Fox Squirrel.

The Scenic Loop Road is a fantastic place to observe a variety of wildlife, both aquatic and terrestrial. Our guide on the Big Cypress Scenic Loop Road has information on this pleasant drive through a cypress swamp.

If you’re interested in birding, over 200 species are found throughout Big Cypress. Birding checklists are available at the visitor centers!

Worried about running into a specific critter? Head over to our guides on how to handle wildlife:

• What to do if you see an alligator
• What to do if you see a black bear
• What to do if you see a wild pig

5. Camping

Camping in Big Cypress National Preserve is a fun way to stay close while you explore the park over multiple days. At Big Cypress, you’ll find frontcountry and backcountry camping, depending on your preferred method of snoozing in the swamps!

There are five front-country campgrounds and two designated backcountry campgrounds. Camping outside of the backcountry campgrounds is permitted with a few restrictions, such as camping specific distances from established roads.

Our article on Big Cypress National Preserve camping goes over each campground in detail, as well as reviews the rules for backcountry camping outside of established campgrounds.

All campgrounds require a reservation, which can be made online at recreation.gov

6. Hunting and Fishing

Unlike many National Parks, Big Cypress National Preserve allows hunting within its borders. Archery, muzzleloading, and general gun are permitted during the appropriate seasons for common species like white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and wild pig.

Alligator hunting is prohibited in the Preserve, no matter what the season is. Year-round fishing can be done in many places around the Preserve, including lakes, canals, and rivers.

If you plan to use ORVs to hunt, remember to obtain a permit for both ORV riding and a backcountry permit.

7. Scenic Drives

Big Cypress Preserve is a scenic location at every turn, but there are a few roads in the preserve that offer spectacular views and wildlife viewing opportunities.

There are two main scenic drives in Big Cypress:

• Loop Road: This classic scenic drive is 24 miles long down a bumpy, pot-hole-covered road. It passes over many water sources, offering viewers the chance to park, get out of their vehicle, and check out the wildlife. 
• Turner River, Wagonwheel, and Birdon Roads Loop: A 17-mile drive through wet prairies that are a prime habitat for wading birds, alligators, turtles, and wildflowers. The road is gravel and washboarded in areas, so prepare for a beautiful but bumpy ride!

Scenic drives are a great way to experience Big Cypress with your pets since our furry pals aren’t allowed on any trails in the park. Roll down the window and let the slobber fly!

8. Check Out A Visitor Center

If you’re anything like me, visitor centers are a must-stop at every park and preserve! Not only do they provide a wealth of information about the park, but they also sell souvenirs and any hiking necessities you may have forgotten.

Big Cypress Preserve has two visitor centers: 

• Nathaniel P. Reed Visitor Center (33000 Tamiami Trail East, Ochopee, FL 34141)
• Oasis Visitor Center (52105 Tamiami Trail East, Ochopee, FL 34141)

Each visitor center offers visitors exhibits that highlight the history and nature of the preserve. At the Oasis Visitor Center, there is a boardwalk above a canal that almost always has an alligator or two sunning on the shores. In the winter, it’s a great spot to see manatees.

9. Visit A Roadside Park

Back in the day, roadside parks were a way to give weary drivers an opportunity to get out and stretch their legs. Two such parks exist in Big Cypress National Preserve, complete with restrooms, picnic tables, and walking paths.

If you don’t have time to explore much of Big Cypress, these parks are a great way to observe some of the essential habitats, wildlife, and plants that call this area home.

• H.P. Williams Roadside Park: Established before Big Cypress was established as a preserve, H.P. Williams Roadside Park has a boardwalk that offers glimpses into a cypress swamp and opportunities to see alligators, turtles, and birds.
• Kirby Storter Roadside Park: Walk the 1-mile boardwalk into a mature cypress stand while still keeping your feet dry. The boardwalk ends at a gator hole, a hole dug by an alligator to ensure deeper waters during dry spells.

If it was a long drive getting to Big Cypress, a roadside park is the perfect way to take a break and stretch your legs before exploring the rest of the Preserve.

10. Have A Picnic

Whether you brought the whole family or are exploring solo, a picnic is always a fabulous time to take a break, enjoy some snacks, and take in the scenery.

Choose from three picnic areas at Big Cypress to enjoy a lunchtime snack and break up your adventurous day!

• Nathaniel P. Reed Visitor Center
• H.P. Williams Roadside Park
• Kirby Storter Roadside Park

The Nathaniel P. Reed and H.P. Williams areas have a boardwalk overlooking water that is an excellent opportunity to spot wildlife. The Kirby Storter Park offers upgraded accommodations with roofs over the picnic tables, making it a good destination on hot summer days.

Not sure what to pack? Check out our ultimate guide to hiking snacks for epic ideas that’ll fuel your body naturally!

If you’re looking for something more substantial than a picnic, you may have to travel outside of the preserve. Nearby Everglades City has plenty of restaurants. If you drive a little further to the Miami Beach area, you’ll have your pick of cuisine!

11. Experience The Preserve After Dark

Big Cypress National Preserve is an International Dark Sky Place (IDSP) designated by the International Dark Sky Association. Sounds fancy, but what it really boils down to is that there is very little light pollution in Big Cypress at night, offering crystal clear views of the constellations.

Astronomy programs are held once a month at Big Cypress, or you can experience the park after dark on your own. The preserve is open 24/7, so you can access parking lots, roads, and campsites at any time to observe the night sky.

Night hiking is allowed in the Preserve, but caution should be taken because of the presence of abundant nocturnal wildlife.

12. Join A Ranger-Led Program

A plethora of ranger-led programs are available for all levels of adventurers at Big Cypress Preserve. From ranger-led swamp walks to campground chats, there’s something to learn each day at Big Cypress.

Programs vary by day, availability, and season, so be sure to check their activities page for more details!

Some of the programs available at Big Cypress include:

• Wet Walk: A guided hike through the swamps. Family-friendly hikes are on Saturdays, and challenging hikes are on Sundays. Daily hikes are also available during the week.
• Canoe Program: A ranger-led canoe trip down the Turner River Trail.
• Bike Program: A ranger-led ride at a slower pace to observe wildlife and learn about the vegetation in the park. Expect to ride up to 14 miles on flat roads.
• Ranger Talks: Held at the Oasis Visitor Center, rangers give talks that cover ecology, history, and culture at Big Cypress.
• Campground Chats: Ranger-led talks are held at the Midway and Monument campgrounds.

Reservations are required for the wet walk, canoe, and bike programs. Ranger talks and campground chats are open to all.

Big Cypress Preserve Wrap-Up Session

As you can see, there is much to do in Big Cypress Preserve! This astounding land offers activities ranging from hiking through the swamps to gazing at the universe after dark.

To recap, here are the 12 incredible things to do at Big Cypress National Preserve:

1. Hiking and Biking
2. Canoeing and Kayaking
3. Off-Road Vehicle Riding
4. Wildlife Viewing
5. Camping
6. Hunting and Fishing
7. Scenic Drives
8. Check out the Visitor Centers
9. Visit a Roadside Park
10. Have a Picnic
11. Experience the Park After Dark
12. Join a Ranger-Led Program

If you’re looking for more adventures in Florida, check out their national parks like Biscayne National Park, Dry Tortugas, the famous Everglades, or explore a state park!

Until next time, keep exploring this beautiful world! For more destination guides like this one, check out the Dirtbags with Furbags blog!