Be advised that the NPS has issued alerts for this park.
Preserve Pit Toilets - H.P. Williams
Pit Toilets at H.P. Williams Roadside Park are CLOSED! Please continue to the Nathaniel P. Reed Visitor Center for the closest restroom. Other pit toilets may close in the near future, please be aware and use our Visitor Center Restrooms! Thank you!
Off Road Vehicle Inspections
ORV renewals & new permits will be issued at the Nathanial P. Reed Visitor Center Friday-Monday, 9am-1:30pm. No permits will be issued Tuesday-Thursday. Permits will be issued first-come first-served. Visit our ORV page for more information
Kirby Storter - Partial Reopen
As of 11/4/2024, the Kirby Storter Boardwalk will reopen to the public. Note that the boardwalk is only open part of the way, as rebuilding has not yet begun.
Park Passes
Park passes, including: America the Beautiful, Veteran, Lifetime, etc., are UNAVAILABLE for purchase/pickup within Big Cypress. Shark Valley Visitor Center (Everglades) is the closest location to Big Cypress for purchase.
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 co...
Reservations may be made on recreation.gov or call 877-444-6777 in advance. Any sites not reserved in advance are available on a first come first serve basis.
Primitive campground with no water. Vault toilets available. Forty designated sites. No reservations. First come, first served. Access to the Bear Island Campground is at the end of a 20-mile Turner River Road.
Reservations may be made on recreation.gov or call 877-444-6777 in advance. Any sites not reserved in advance are available on a first come first serve basis.
Reservations may be made on recreation.gov or call 877-444-6777 in advance. Any sites not reserved in advance are available on a first come first serve basis.
Reservations may be made on recreation.gov or call 877-444-6777 in advance. Any sites not reserved in advance are available on a first come first serve basis.
Reservations may be made on recreation.gov or call 877-444-6777 in advance. Any sites not reserved in advance are available on a first come first serve basis.
Reservations may be made on recreation.gov or call 877-444-6777 in advance. Any sites not reserved in advance are available on a first come first serve basis.
Pink Jeep can be accessed by off-road vehicle, hiking or biking. Backcountry permits are required for all, off-road vehicle permits are required for off-road vehicles. No reservations are taken. Sites are first come first serve
The Florida Trail’s Southern Terminus is located here at the Oasis Visitor’s Center in Big Cypress National Preserve which encompasses 729,000 acres of subtropical terrain, about a third of which is covered with the dwarf pond cypress. Bordering the northern edge of Everglades National Park. Big Cypress is named for its great expanse, not the size of the trees.
A large stone with a trail sign made of metal fixed on the surface next to a gravel path.
Off of Highway 41, turn onto Turner River Road. There is a parking lot entrance about 50 yards down Turner River Road on the righthand side. There are about two dozen parking spaces available. A bathroom is located at the north end of the parking lot. On the east side of the parking lot there is an open grassy area with picnic tables under palm trees. Adjacent to the human-made canal is an observation boardwalk. Great for viewing wildlife, this boardwalk offers a unique perspective of alligators, turtles, fish, snakes, and birds.
The Halfway Creek and Loop Trails are accessible from the Gulf Coast Visitor Center in Everglades City or from the Big Cypress Welcome Center on Sea Grape Drive off of US 41. The Creek is 7.3 miles long from the Big Cypress Welcome Center to the Gulf Coast Visitor Center. The upper loop is an additional 3.7 miles. From the Gulf Coast Visitor Center, the Halfway Creek-Left Hand Turner-Turner River loop is 11 miles. Allow 4-8 hours for these trails.
This paddling trail consists of an open canal surrounded by trees at the northern terminus, followed by a series of winding waterways surrounded by mangrove trees. In some places, the mangroves completely grow over the trail, creating a mangrove tunnel. There are multiple possible routes on this trail. At the southern end, all of the routes open up into either wider rivers or canals, still surrounded by mangrove trees. *Note: some parts of this trail are currently impassable.
This location offers an easy 1 mile roundtrip boardwalk through a cypress strand. There is also picnic areas and bathrooms available
This location is easily accessible off of Highway 41, and has a paved parking lot. There are covered picnic tables available at this site, in between two sections of the parking lot. There is a bathroom located at the southeast corner of the parking lot. Located adjacent to the bathroom is the 1/2 mile long boardwalk. This boardwalk will take you into a cypress strand and end at a gator hole. This boardwalk is elevated and has handrails. The walk is a mile round trip as the boardwalk is an out and back.
The Oasis Visitor Center has exhibits related to the natural and cultural history of the preserve, educational materials, sales items, and an introductory film. Staff are available to assist visitors with information about available activities.
A large building with a boardwalk overlooking a canal filled with wildlife.
The Turner River Canoe Trail is 11.5-miles long from Everglades City to the Turner River launch in Big Cypress National Preserve. The trail travels along Chokoloskee Bay, which is a wide, shallow, open body of water, and through a series of winding waterways surrounded by mangrove trees. In some places, the mangroves completely grow over the trail, creating a mangrove tunnel.
Nathaniel P. Reed Visitor Center is a facility that was designed with energy conservation in mind, making maximum use of renewable resources. The visitor center offers indoor and outdoor exhibits related to the history of the Big Cypress Swamp, as well as printed materials and an introductory film to the Preserve, its resources and recreational opportunities. The auditorium is available to reserve.
The Oasis Visitor Center contains exhibits related to the natural and cultural history of the preserve, educational materials, sales items, and an introductory film. Staff are available to assist visitors with information about available activities.
Dark skies are essential natural, scientific, cultural, and economic resources. National Park sites, including Big Cypress National Preserve, are home to some of the last remaining dark skies in the country and are committed to protecting the night sky resource.
Florida National Scenic Trail
This 36-mile contiguous section of the Florida National Scenic Trail is the southernmost portion of trail. This moderately strenuous hike can be difficult to traverse at certain times of year. The trail can be under up to 3 to 4 feet of water in the rainy season. During the dry season, there can be little to no water along the trail.
Nathaniel P. Reed Visitor Center
The Nathaniel P. Reed Visitor Center offers exhibits, bathrooms, picnic areas, a short boardwalk, and visitor information materials that will help orient the first-time visitor and provide the latest information on conditions to returning visitors.
Fire Prairie Trail
This five-mile long out and back trail is a great way to see the sawgrass prairies of Big Cypress National Preserve. Good for all skill levels, this trail provides unique viewing areas of some of the more elusive wildlife here. Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and a hat.
The Deep Lake Trail
This one-mile moderate hike to Deep Lake is a unique experiences. Deep Lake is over 95 feet deep, and the deepest lake in south Florida. Leave yourself about an hour to complete the trail. During the wet season (May-October) the trail can be wet and muddy.
Turner River/Wagonwheel/Birdon Scenic Drive
This 16-mile loop drive is a great way to get away from the traffic along Highway 41, and take a slower drive through the Preserve. It offers the opportunity to see some of the many plant and animal species that call this place home.
Loop Road Scenic Drive
This 24 mile long drive, on a mostly unpaved gravel road, is a great scenic drive through the cypress swamp. See a variety of plant and wildlife species, while getting a closeup look at the park's namesake cypress trees.
Gator Hook Trail
This moderately strenuous hike is a highly-immersive experience. Journey into the the Gator Hook Strand. Walk through water that is ankle to knee-deep. See alligators, snakes, birds, bromeliads (air plants), and mature cypress trees.
Oasis Visitor Center Boardwalk
This short boardwalk is a great viewing platform of alligators, birds, turtles, and fish.
H.P. Williams Wayside Park
H.P. Williams Wayside Park is located immediately off of Highway 41. It includes a short boardwalk, picnic areas, and restrooms.
Kirby Storter Roadside Park
This immersive boardwalk will take you into a cypress strand. Good for the whole family, this boardwalk is open daily from an hour before sunrise until an hour after sunset.
