Big Cypress National Preserve - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting

This Park is Located along the shores of the beautiful and pristine big Cypress National Preserve, this delightful park offers visitors a tremendous variety of recreational opportunities. People can go for hikes and nature walks through lush hardwood forests, fish or canoe on peaceful Florida lakes, bird watch and appreciate the local wildlife, or take some time to relax by a campfire. Visitors can even find lodging options including camping sites with nearby shower and restroom facilities.

Big Cypress Oasis Visitor Center is the perfect spot to explore the beauty and wildlife of the Big Cypress National Preserve. This cozy visitor center has knowledgeable staff to give you information and recommendations on scenic hikes, bike rides, and guided tours of the area. You can even schedule a canoe trip down the Turner River with one of their experienced guides or take part in ranger-led programs.

Big Cypress National Preserve is a stunning destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Spanning over 720,000 acres, it is the largest national preserve in the United States East of the Rockies. Within its vast expanse, visitors can experience varied habitats like swamps, estuaries, pinelands and prairies teeming with an abundance of wildlife. This treasureland of natural beauty also boasts spectacular views such as watery grasslands and cypress strands that will mesmerize any visitor.

Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve, is a unique and beautiful park. Home to the last remaining stands of Cabbage Palm and Royal Palm forests, the preserve is also home to many rare species of birds, manatees, you can even spot an endangered Florida panther if you’re lucky! Exploring its 2000-acre network of marshlands and flatwood swamps is a great way to take in the stunning sights of nature in the Sunshine State. Boating and kayaking are permitted on several bodies of water within the park.

The Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1989 under the Endangered Species Act by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, to protect the endangered Florida panther, as well as other threatened plant and animal species.

This is an incredible wilderness experience that allows visitors to explore and appreciate the beauty of the Everglades. Spanning approximately 99 miles of protected waterways along the southwestern coast, this unique waterway provides access to some of the most amazing natural scenes in the entire state. Along with calm waters and a variety of wildlife, visitors can also enjoy boat tours as well as terrestrial hikes and bike rides through mangrove forests, sand spits, and islands.