20 Attractions to Explore Near Big Cypress National Preserve

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.

The Gulf Coast Visitor Center provides visitors and locals with a wealth of information about the area. From boat tours and mangrove eco-adventures, to archaeological sites and hands-on programs for children, this visitor center has something for everyone. The center also provides local shoppers with expert advice on which shopping area is best suited to their needs. With regular activities like kayaking, seining, fishing trips, bird walks and much more.

Chokoloskee Island is one of the most beautiful places in Collier County, Florida. Located in the Ten Thousand Islands area near Marco Island, this small island sits on the doorstep of some of the best fishing, birding and exploration in Southwest Florida. Visiting Chokoloskee Island is a great opportunity to soak up all that Florida’s river and coastal ecosystems have to offer: mangroves and mudflats, bald eagles and ospreys, dolphins and manatees.

Ted Smallwood Store is not only an interesting historical landmark but also a popular tourist attraction. Located near the Everglades National Park and Ten Thousand Islands, Ted Smallwood Store was originally constructed in 1906 as a trading post and served as the primary general store for miles around. It is now recognized as one of the oldest standing structures in Collier County as well as being listed on the US National Register of Historic Places.

This Forest is a unique ecosystem combining wetland and pine flatwoods with cypress strands and dome swamps. Spanning over 115,000 acres of subtropical wilderness, the forest provides miles of trails for hiking and cycling, camping spots for enthusiastic adventurers, ample opportunities for swimming in rivers, lakes, and beaches as well as world class fishing. For nature watchers, Picayune Strand won't disappoint; there are plenty of species to explore from alligators to panthers.

At the Collier-Seminole State Park you can picnic, hike, bicycle, canoe, camp, view wildlife, fish, and boat. Among the facilities are an RV park, four pavilion picnic shelters, a boat ramp, and a campground with youth, group, and primitive campsites.

The Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge is a spectacular place to observe native wildlife. Home to over 230 bird species, boats are the perfect way to go wildlife viewing on a pleasant day. The refuge also houses over 10 species of frogs and salamanders, along with numerous reptiles and mammals including dolphins and manatees. With its network of exotic waterways, it's an amazing spot for fishing and kayaking – as well as relaxing walks through miles of wild beaches and swamps.

Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary offers visitors an incredible opportunity to explore some of the most pristine natural areas in the state. Home to some of the oldest Bald Cypress trees in existence, a 13-mile boardwalk stretching through the swamp, and a variety of wildlife species and plants. It is also home to research facilities conducted by various universities, as well as local artist studios where visitors can join classes to channel their creative energies.

During the 1940s and 1950s, extensive logging was occurring in Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, destroying many bald cypress and pond cypress trees. The sanctuary was established to protect these remaining trees.

Sawgrass Recreation Park is a nature preserve offering an up-close look at the local wildlife.Visitors can explore thousands of acres of swampland and enjoy activities like boat tours, airboat rides, and a boardwalk birding trail. Also included on-site are educational lectures focused on topics such as the history of the Everglades and local ecology. With its wide variety of activities, Sawgrass Recreation Park offers something for everyone from outdoor adventurers to nature lovers.

The Cape Romano Dome House, is an architectural wonder that attracts many visitors. From the outside, it looks like six white pods scattered across the sandbar. Constructed in 1981 by Bob Lee, the domes were built to be a vacation home and featured part of an innovative system called “startop homes” which was founded by Lee. Due to its unique design, the house has become a landmark and it remains standing despite efforts to demolish it due to its location on an eroding shoreline.

Tigertail Beach, is a beautiful place to visit. Whether you are looking for a relaxing day on the beach or an exciting adventure such as paddleboarding and kayaking, Tigertail has plenty to offer. The tropical waters provide an inviting spot for hours of swimming and sunning. Onshore, you'll find a picnic area where families can find shade under coconut palms. Anglers will appreciate the calm channels that wind through shallow flats full of fish ready to bite.

Located in Naples, Florida, Naples Botanical Garden covers 170 acres (69 ha).

The Gordon River is a popular destination for nature lovers, wildlife enthusiasts, and eco-tourists alike. Tucked away in the Everglades, this 8-mile river has been attracting visitors since the early 1970s. Meandering peacefully through Florida's natural landscape complete with mangrove forests and endemic species of birds and fish, this tranquil river also provides spectacular views of both its natural surroundings as well as the coastline of Marco Island near Naples.

The Gordon River Greenway Park in Collier County, Florida is a 185-acre park located in Naples, just off the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. While visiting, one can find walking paths, bike trails and wildlife observation points around every corner. The natural beauty of the park is astounding and pairs perfectly with its educational offerings. Inside the park are a number of areas dedicated to local history displays, presentations about various natural habitats and a butterfly garden .