Ninety minutes west of Miami on the Tamiami Trail, the urban cityscape yields to the majesty of nature and the watery wilderness of Big Cypress National Preserve. Its freshwater swamplands boast an impressive abundance of wildlife (including the endangered and elusive Florida panther) and even oil reserves (one of only two in the state, discovered here in 1943). Bordered by Everglades National Park to the south, the preserve comprises five habitats – hardwood hammocks, pinelands, prairies, cypress swamps and estuaries – each offering a fascinating abundance of native plants and wildlife.
Begin your Big Cypress adventure at the Oasis Visitor Center in Ochopee, midway between Miami and Naples on the Tamiami Trail. Exhibits and a documentary film tell the story of the area’s culture, history and development, from untrammeled swamp to its designation as the nation’s first national preserve in 1974.
Big Cypress is a preserve rather than a park, so visitors have access to a wider variety of activities (off-roading, for example) while still respecting the land’s protected status. Explore on your own as you hike the thriving cypress strands in this section of Florida’s National Scenic Trail. Or bike along any of five routes that wind through the forest (bring snacks and plenty of water – and remember to take your trash out with you). You might spot some of the park’s inhabitants, which include deer, bobcats and wild turkeys.
Shared with neighboring Everglades National Park, Big Cypress offers kayakers five river, bay and creek options. Paddling “season” (when waters are lower) runs through the cooler months of November to March, but waterways are open year-round. Backcountry camping requires a permit (free and available at each trailhead and online) allowing intrepid overnighters to explore the rugged terrain beyond paved roads. Not quite as adventurous? With eight serviced campgrounds, you can still enjoy this designated International Dark Sky Place, witnessing the wonder of the Milky Way and countless twinkling stars with just the naked eye.
