Attractions · Our pick in Miami
Big Cypress National Preserve
Cypress country
About Big Cypress National Preserve
The great swamp east of Naples is the watershed that feeds the Everglades, crossed by the Tamiami Trail. Here is how to see it, from boardwalks to scenic drives.
The first national preserve
Big Cypress National Preserve borders Everglades National Park and protects more than 700,000 acres of cypress swamp, pinelands, wet prairie and hardwood hammocks. Created in 1974, it was the first national preserve in the United States, a designation that protects the land while allowing traditional uses such as hunting and the cultural activities of the Miccosukee and Seminole peoples.
The swamp’s fresh water flows slowly south into the Ten Thousand Islands and the Everglades, so protecting it was essential for the national park downstream.
Big Cypress was the first national preserve in the United States, created in 1974 to protect the swamp while allowing traditional uses.
Along the Tamiami Trail
The Tamiami Trail (US 41) crosses the preserve between Naples and Miami. Visitor centres, short boardwalks and canals along the road are some of the easiest places in Florida to see alligators, turtles, herons and anhingas. Scenic detours include the Loop Road and Turner River Road, and long-distance hikers follow the Florida National Scenic Trail through the swamp.
The preserve is also home to the endangered Florida panther, though sightings are rare.
Practicalities
Services are few, so fill up with fuel and bring water, food and insect repellent. Winter, the dry season, is the most comfortable time.
Our advice: stop at a visitor centre for current conditions, walk a boardwalk in the early morning, and drive one of the scenic roads slowly with the windows down.
Why it's on our list
- Cypress swamp and prairies
- Alligators by the roadside
- Scenic drives
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Big Cypress National Preserve before you go.