Big Cypress National Preserve
Big Cypress National Preserve
Big Cypress National Preserve
4.5
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
About
Land of biological diversity, measuring 729,000 acres, combines a mix of pines, hardwoods, prairies and mangrove forests along with a variety of wildlife including White-tailed deer and Florida panther.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.6
575 reviews
Excellent
401
Very good
147
Average
19
Poor
6
Terrible
2
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Ruth C
Macclesfield, UK25 contributions
Dec 2024 • Couples
We stopped here by chance en route driving from Florida Keys across to Naples and were so glad we did. Saw such an abundance of wildlife with easy, accessible viewing options. We had a warm welcome in the visitors’ centre and the bonus of a talk from Kelly who was informative, entertaining and passionate about her role - a real asset to the centre. We hope the National Parks staff continue to be valued in these uncertain times.
Written 17 February 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Boo913
Hawkins, TX1,306 contributions
Jan 2025 • Couples
We drove through the preserve on highway 41 and I was amazed at all the spectacular sights visible just out the passenger window. The sun shining off black tire-like sheen from alligators napping on canal banks; belted kingfishers perched on power lines posed for spotting fish in the crystal clear waters below; stunning Wood storks, ibis, great blue herons, egrets are avian ornaments filling tree limbs near and far; Rosetta spoonbills adorned in pink plumage sail by in flight; sawgrass fields forever and an odd sight of palms meeting pines. The wondrous wheel journey is lovely and awe-inspiring as every inch produces natural beauty and marvels to behold!
Written 26 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
msdet1529
Port Saint Lucie, FL6,798 contributions
Dec 2024 • Couples
Traveling from Port St Lucie, to Miami then to Our final Destination in Naples, we needed a pit stop and we are glad we did.
While on Route 41, we encountered plenty of areas to see but time was important to us in getting to Naples. A quick pit stop and it ended up 30 min later to check out this old historic building. Guided tours, information center, and pamphlets. Check out the walk way along the creek where there were numerous alligators basking in the sun. Just look down and they are just a few feet away below from you. Awesome photo op!!! Also a small, private aircraft runway in the back of the building.
If you never seen alligators from a safe distance, this is the place, and it's free!!!
Enjoy!!! Safe Travels!!!
🚙🚙🚙🐊🐊🐊
While on Route 41, we encountered plenty of areas to see but time was important to us in getting to Naples. A quick pit stop and it ended up 30 min later to check out this old historic building. Guided tours, information center, and pamphlets. Check out the walk way along the creek where there were numerous alligators basking in the sun. Just look down and they are just a few feet away below from you. Awesome photo op!!! Also a small, private aircraft runway in the back of the building.
If you never seen alligators from a safe distance, this is the place, and it's free!!!
Enjoy!!! Safe Travels!!!
🚙🚙🚙🐊🐊🐊
Written 14 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cmama
Ogden, IA271 contributions
Jan 2025 • Couples
We had a wonderful time in Big Cypress! The weather was on the cool side, but we were able to see manatee, alligators galore, birds of all sizes and colors, wonderful mangroves, ferns, air plants, etc. We highly recommend stopping at the Nathaniel P Reed visitor center. The visitors and staff are very welcoming and knowledgeable, and the boardwalk behind the rest area had the manatees to see. The Oasis visitors center was ok, but they don't have working restrooms right now and the port a potties were due for an emptying. We were able to see multiple alligators, and a couple of spoonbills flying in the area. You will need to take snacks/meal and drinks. There are not a lot of options, and also a full tank of gas. There are several areas to picnic along the way. Also, stop at the smallest post office in the States along the way, 61 square feet!
Written 15 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
co-director
Alabama81 contributions
Jun 2024 • Couples
We love driving in the country! As we are senior adults now we look for anything near us when we travel. We have visited the Everglades but had never done The Big Cypress Preserve. It was so fun. Yes, the Loop has MANY potholes, but we made it fine in our Chey SUV Lucky for us it had rained so it wasn’t dusty. We enjoyed watching for wildlife. We saw many gators, birds, turtles, an owl and a snake. We were thankful for the bug spray we had with us as there were many misquotes!
Written 28 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ALLOFTHEM
Harpenden, UK12 contributions
Dec 2024 • Couples
Amazing wet walk led by two of the rangers who were knowledgable, entertaining and friendly.
The walk lasted 2 hours including preparation, briefing and then dry down at the end.
We saw an amazing array of birds, no alligators although apparently they are seen occasionally. Not too bothered by bugs but then it was a cool (18 degrees C) November morning.
The walk lasted 2 hours including preparation, briefing and then dry down at the end.
We saw an amazing array of birds, no alligators although apparently they are seen occasionally. Not too bothered by bugs but then it was a cool (18 degrees C) November morning.
Written 5 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sskroll
Orlando, FL1,126 contributions
Dec 2024 • Couples
Went here for the Swamp Heritage Festival as the Big Cypress Preserve is celebrating their 50th year anniversary and we had a great time. They are very organized and we also visited the Visitor's Center while we were there. We learned a lot about the history of the place and the locals part in keeping it together. There were great speakers and very good local vendors who were educational as well as selling local crafts.
Written 24 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michele H
Cincinnati, United States25 contributions
Mar 2024 • Family
Easy walks around the boardwalks to see alligators, fish, turtles and birds. Still very wet at the end of March so no hikes for us. Was able to participate in the Ranger led Canoe outing on the Turner River! Awesome experience and great information from Ranger Brett! Favorite things my kids (10,8) did on this trip! Paddling past the alligators and seeing them swim in the river was amazing!
Written 3 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travel_Alex_2828
Augsburg, Germany348 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
A place that offers a wonderful contrast to the overcrowded and annoying Disney parks, so wonderfully original and in the off-season so wonderfully few people here, so that you can fully immerse yourself in nature and the animals and the whole atmosphere. We would visit this place anytime and again, you can't get enough of it. There is so much to see, hear, smell and feel. But it is nature - if you go in here expecting to see this or that - this is not a zoo where the animals are waiting for you, either you are lucky and patient or you are not. But there is a lot to see if you go through with your eyes open. We saw baby gators, some lizards and butterflies, Tillandsias grow on the trees and it is just wonderful there. Unless loud tourists come and chase everything away - they would be better off going to the zoos. We were grateful that there are still places like this that you can visit.
Written 3 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jane
New York149 contributions
Apr 2022
We tried to begin our visit by going to the Oasis Visitor Center, but unfortunately there was a sign on the door saying it was closed for a couple weeks even though the website said it was open. There is a boardwalk along a canal in front of the building where we did see quite a few gators of all sizes. Anyway, we backtracked and drove the Loop Road, which was fabulous. Driving through the woods we saw so much wildlife, and had several opportunities to slow down and pull over to lean out the window and get pictures. It's a gravel road so you can't drive too fast, so it will take a decent amount of time to travel the route, but definitely worth it.
Written 15 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Was planning on driving the Loop Road and/or the Turner River, Wagonwheel, Birdon loop roads next week. With all the rain recently (Mid June 2024), what are the current road conditions? Are those roads passable with a Ford Edge (small suv/crossover)? Hoping the area isn’t too flooded after all the recent rain….
Written 16 June 2024
We are in Sarasota and would like to visit Big Cypress NP (3hrs). We have 1 day, is it worth drive? Thank you.
Written 25 February 2022
Hello. I have done the everglades and shark valley and am now interested in doing Big Cypress. Could you recommend best ideas/tours in big cypress for two older adults as we would like to see as much wildlife as possible- alligators of course but more so panthers/cats if possible. I will be flying into Fort Myers and staying near there in March. Also any recommendations on places to stay as we were thinking Sanibel island. We want to relax but have fun during the day.
Thank you in advance-
Karen
Written 24 December 2019
Look at "Wootens tours in everglades" on trip advisor, we enjoyed it. They have an animal santuary with a variety of animals. Odds of seeing animals in the wild other than gators will be hit and miss. The Everglades national park is just down the road with nature trails for more opportunities to see wild life. Sanibel is a nice place to visit with plenty of places to eat but there is more to see and do in Ft Myers.
Written 25 December 2019
is the big cypress connect to Everglades national park? We coming from the Naples down, plan to stop the big cypress park first then to Everglades national park.
Written 25 May 2019
The 2 are neighbors. You should take 41, as recommended by the others. Along the route, there are boardwalk trails, the tram tours at shark valley, or bike rentals for the 15 mile loop at shark valley. There are ranger led hikes into the swamp at Big Cypress, or you can venture out yourself along the well marked Florida Trail extending north or south. Everglades Ntl Park is huge and has 4 entrances. You cannot go to all of them in 1 day, so choose just one.
Written 29 May 2019
Where is a more quiet camping spot located, for stargazing?
Written 16 December 2018
Trail lake campground on Tamiami trail, they rent chickee huts so you can get in tuned with nature. Other than that there are a few other campsites for RVs.
Written 16 January 2019
Hola a todos. La Loop Rd. Big Cipress National Preserve es transitable en coche tipo turismo?.. no en un todo terreno, en un coche tipo utilitario.
Written 12 May 2018
Bonjour, L’accès à la ballade est t-Elle gratuite? Merci
Written 12 April 2018
The trip that we did was a simple drive through the park - if you have a car there is no charge. There are some tours which can be a bit too touristy for me. The preserve was accessible and the birds and gators were in the natural habitat. I would not get too close though. Be sure to bring bug repellent and or wear lightweight long pants and sleeves. Some of the short trails are prone to mosquito too I believe I posted some photos too
Written 30 April 2018
Where is the nearest restaurant?
Written 5 March 2016
probably everglades city...there are a few decent ones there....maybe 15-20 minutes away
Written 8 March 2016
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