Big Cypress National Preserve, the first national preserve in the United States, celebrated its 50th anniversary on 11th October 2024. Established in 1974, this unique destination – spanning over 729,000 acres – is a sanctuary for diverse wildlife and a hub for outdoor recreation, welcoming approximately one million visitors each year.
Visited by hikers, campers and nature lovers, this freshwater swamp ecosystem is located next to the Everglades National Park and is home to many species of animals, as well as tropical and temperate plants. The preserve welcomes visitors to walk among cypress and mangroves, spot birds, observe American alligators, and look for the elusive Florida panther. Discover five ways to explore one of the most ecologically diverse areas in the US, from educational tours to thrilling adventures at the Big Cypress National Preserve.
Astronomy Programme
Designated an International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) International Dark Sky Place in 2016, and one of the darkest night skies in the eastern United States, visitors to Big Cypress National Preserve can experience one of the last places in Florida where the Milky Way can be seen with the naked eye. Travellers can join an evening of education with a ranger-led astronomy programme, held once per month during the winter (December to March), offering constellation tours and telescope viewing (weather permitting) of astronomical objects including stars, planets, nebulae and galaxies. This experience is free to the public.
Kayak Eco-Tour
One of the best ways of exploring Big Cypress National Preserve is by its scenic waterways, with several paddling routes converging at the border of the preserve and the Everglades National Park. Join a guided tour with Everglades Area Tours to explore this diverse ecosystem. The most popular tour in the Big Cypress National Preserve is the Mangrove Tunnel Kayak & Canoe Tour, which lasts three hours and is conducted on the upper end of the Turner River. Tours can also be selected as a private experience and tailored to specific needs and interests, whether it’s sunrise photography or birding.
Guided Swamp Walk
Explore Big Cypress National Preserve on foot with a guided swamp walk tour, hosted by renowned nature photographer Clyde Butcher. Tours take place behind Clyde’s Big Cypress Gallery (located adjacent to the preserve and open daily 10am to 5pm) and into the heart of a swamp, where visitors will witness fascinating flora and fauna including orchids, rare ferns, threatened bromeliads, native birds and other swamp life. Swamp walk tours cost £95pp.
Ranger-Led Wet Walk
Between November and April each year, there are various free activities led by rangers at Big Cypress National Preserve, including ranger-led wet walks in the Big Cypress Swamp. Taking place daily, this two-hour adventure journeys through the crystal clear waters of a cypress swamp, providing travellers with a unique insight into the local flora and fauna. Tours take place at 1:30pm on Saturday and Sunday, and 9:30am Monday to Friday. Reservations are required; call the Nathaniel P. Reed Visitor Center to find out more information and to reserve a spot.
Camp Under the Stars
Sleep under the stars at one of the eight campsites and one RV site in Big Cypress National Preserve. Pink Jeep, Mitchell Landing, Gator Head and Bear Island campgrounds are first-come, first-served, and prior reservations are unavailable. Two campgrounds, Pink Jeep and Gator Head, are only accessible by foot, bike, or permitted off-road vehicles. Backcountry camping is also possible, but permits are required – these can be obtained free of charge at the Oasis Visitor Center and the Big Cypress Welcome Center, or at every backcountry trailhead.
For more information on Florida’s Paradise Coast, visit www.paradisecoast.com.
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