What to do in Big Cypress, Florida's wildest hidden gem

From schlepping through knee-high swamps to spotting roadside alligators, there’s a smorgasbord of adventure in South Florida’s wild and less-trodden Big Cypress National Preserve. “You’ll see a whole different side of Florida than most people take the time to see,” says Michelle Bonebrake, outreach and education ranger for the preserve, located 45 miles west of Miami.

The 729,000-acre patchwork of cypress swamps, pinelands, and prairies abuts the wetlands of Everglades National Park. Yet in Big Cypress, travelers can venture off the beaten path. “You can go anywhere here; you don’t have to stay on a marked trail with 4,500 other visitors,” says Lisa Andrews, outreach and education coordinator for Big Cypress National Preserve. “You can get out there where it’s really quiet.” 

An easily accessible nature oasis

Big Cypress, roughly the size of Rhode Island, became the first national preserve in the country in 1974. It protects the biodiverse swamps and wetlands tucked between Miami and Marco Island—an area that faces consistent threats from development and resource extraction. 

Beyond lush flora, the preserve safeguards an exceptional array of fauna, including the American alligator, herons, snakes, river otters, black bears, and the endangered Florida panther. These critters may reveal themselves to wildlife watchers along boardwalks and on backcountry jaunts—and when they do, it’s important to follow wildlife safety best practices. 

“You don’t need to be scared here, but we want you to be aware,” says Andrews. “Gators are more afraid of you than you are of them, and we leave them alone. We don’t feed them, [or any other animals].” Additionally, give all wildlife space and practice Leave No Trace principles, such as packing out everything you bring in.  

(These 10 state parks will show you a different side of Florida.)

How to experience Big Cypress National Preserve

Go wildlife-watching
Animal-watching options in Big Cypress run the gamut. A scenic drive is one of the easiest and most approachable options for first-time visitors. Amble along the 24-mile dirt Loop Road to scout for the gators and birds that inhabit these verdant swamps and pinelands.

Or stroll the boardwalks located right off of Tamiami Trail (U.S. Route 41), the preserve’s main road. Viewpoints like the elevated platform at H.P. Williams Wayside Park overlook offer views of numerous alligators throughout the day. They are also commonly spotted along Wagon Wheel Road. Bring binoculars to admire not just megafauna, but avian marvels. Big Cypress boasts over 200 species of birds, including herons, cormorants, and anhingas. 

Bonebrake suggests canoeing and kayaking for an up-close view of the preserve’s critters. “I love paddling Turner River looking for wildlife,” she says. “The wildlife there is accustomed to seeing people, so you can get pretty close to the birds.” She notes that gators are also visible from the waterway, which gives visitors a unique vantage point. Try a local tour operator for expert narration and safety.

(Florida's flamingoes are back. Here's where you can see them.)

Watch the Milky Way beneath exceptional dark skies
In October 2016, global light pollution authority DarkSky International certified Big Cypress as a dark-sky park. The getaway’s efforts to minimize artificial light are helpful for both stargazers and wildlife. Many of the area’s animals rely on naturally inky night—including over 50 firefly species, coyotes, bats, and the Florida panther.

Big Cypress rangers incorporate education about nocturnal ecology into their regular stargazing programming, which is now among the park’s most popular offerings. That’s because it’s dark enough to not only see the Milky Way, but distant galaxies, shooting stars, and nebulae. Rangers tag-team with local astronomy clubs, which bring their high-powered telescopes to help visitors peer into deep space.

Stargaze as part of a designated program or plan a DIY night adventure. For the latter, consider the wide-open vistas along Wagon Wheel Road to watch the stars above as fireflies flicker near you on land. Another ideal perch is the Gator Hook Trail parking area along Loop Road.

For the crème de la crème of Big Cypress’ cosmic wonder, try camping beneath the stars. The preserve has eight scenic campgrounds, including Burns Lake, which links up with a glassy waterway and campsite trail, or the remote and primitive Bear Island outpost, where you can pitch a tent, then watch the stars shimmer above the palms.

Hike in knee-high cypress swamps
The preserve’s namesake cypress swamps are a major draw, and ambling through them on foot provides an action-packed, immersive adventure. Plan your own swamp hike, also known as a “wet hike,” on the 1.5-mile out-and-back Deep Lake Trail. The route remains partially submerged from June to March, with the potential for distant alligator sightings en route. 

The five-mile Gator Hook Trail is another prime spot for wet walks. This hardwood hammock-flanked path through water and woodlands offers a sneak peek of the Everglades region’s avian soundtrack, plus the chance to find the park’s reptiles and white-tailed deer.

For guided swamp schlepping, join a daily ranger-led tour. The two-hour journey weaves through the ecosystem’s surprisingly clear water, with narration on bird calls, orchids, and animal tracks—not to mention wildlife sightings.

On swamp hikes, Bonebrake recommends wearing long pants and close-toed footwear, such as old gym shoes, for traction, protection, and stability. Walking poles are helpful, too.

(How Florida’s first failed national park kickstarted its thriving state parks.)

Where to stay in Big Cypress National Preserve

The preserve’s front and backcountry campgrounds are the only lodging options in the preserve. Advance reservations are required via Recreation.gov for all campsites; they open six months in advance.  

The nearest properties are in Everglades City, just west of the preserve entrance. Try Everglades Adventures Hotel in town for an abode that also doubles as a tour company, offering numerous Big Cypress-area adventure trips, like airboat outings and guided kayaking. 

Local outfitter Everglades Adventure Tours also offers a handful of treehouse-style cabins near the park entrance. The glamping digs, known as the Chickee Cabins, overlook the swamp and prairie, offering a picturesque view of the stars.

And with the preserve’s location—it’s roughly an hour from Miami, Naples, and Marco Island—it’s easy to stay in town then zip to the park for an adventure that feels worlds away from urban Florida. “In a very short distance, you can visit many different habitats,” says Andrews. “There’s so much to explore here.”