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

From schlepping by knee-high swamps to recognizing roadside alligators, there’s a smorgasbord of journey 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 schooling ranger for the protect, situated 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, vacationers can enterprise off the overwhelmed 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 schooling coordinator for Big Cypress National Preserve. “You can get out there where it’s really quiet.” 

An simply accessible nature oasis

Big Cypress, roughly the dimensions of Rhode Island, grew to become the primary nationwide protect within the nation in 1974. It protects the biodiverse swamps and wetlands tucked between Miami and Marco Island—an space that faces constant threats from improvement and useful resource extraction. 

Beyond lush flora, the protect safeguards an distinctive array of fauna, together with the American alligator, herons, snakes, river otters, black bears, and the endangered Florida panther. These critters could reveal themselves to wildlife watchers alongside boardwalks and on backcountry jaunts—and after they do, it’s essential to comply with wildlife security finest 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 house and apply Leave No Trace rules, equivalent to packing out all the things you usher in.  

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How to expertise Big Cypress National Preserve

Go wildlife-watching
Animal-watching choices in Big Cypress run the gamut. A scenic drive is among the best and most approachable choices for first-time guests. Amble alongside the 24-mile filth Loop Road to scout for the gators and birds that inhabit these verdant swamps and pinelands.

Or stroll the boardwalks situated proper off of Tamiami Trail (U.S. Route 41), the protect’s fundamental street. Viewpoints just like the elevated platform at H.P. Williams Wayside Park overlook provide views of quite a few alligators all through the day. They are additionally generally noticed alongside Wagon Wheel Road. Bring binoculars to admire not simply megafauna, however avian marvels. Big Cypress boasts over 200 species of birds, together with herons, cormorants, and anhingas. 

Bonebrake suggests canoeing and kayaking for an up-close view of the protect’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 additionally seen from the waterway, which supplies guests a novel vantage level. Try a local tour operator for knowledgeable narration and security.

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Watch the Milky Way beneath distinctive darkish skies
In October 2016, world gentle air pollution authority DarkSky International licensed Big Cypress as a dark-sky park. The getaway’s efforts to attenuate synthetic gentle are useful for each stargazers and wildlife. Many of the realm’s animals depend on naturally inky night time—together with over 50 firefly species, coyotes, bats, and the Florida panther.

Big Cypress rangers incorporate schooling about nocturnal ecology into their regular stargazing programming, which is now among the many park’s hottest choices. That’s as a result of it’s darkish sufficient to not solely see the Milky Way, however distant galaxies, taking pictures stars, and nebulae. Rangers tag-team with native astronomy golf equipment, which deliver their high-powered telescopes to assist guests peer into deep house.

Stargaze as a part of a delegated program or plan a DIY night time journey. For the latter, think about the wide-open vistas alongside Wagon Wheel Road to observe the celebs above as fireflies flicker close to you on land. Another excellent perch is the Gator Hook Trail parking space alongside Loop Road.

For the crème de la crème of Big Cypress’ cosmic marvel, attempt camping beneath the stars. The protect has eight scenic campgrounds, together with Burns Lake, which hyperlinks up with a glassy waterway and campsite path, or the distant and primitive Bear Island outpost, the place you’ll be able to pitch a tent, then watch the celebs shimmer above the palms.

Hike in knee-high cypress swamps
The protect’s namesake cypress swamps are a serious draw, and ambling by them on foot gives an action-packed, immersive journey. Plan your individual swamp hike, often known as a “wet hike,” on the 1.5-mile out-and-back Deep Lake Trail. The route stays partially submerged from June to March, with the potential for distant alligator sightings en route. 

The five-mile Gator Hook Trail is one other prime spot for moist walks. This hardwood hammock-flanked path by water and woodlands provides a sneak peek of the Everglades area’s avian soundtrack, plus the prospect to search out the park’s reptiles and white-tailed deer.

For guided swamp schlepping, be a part of a daily ranger-led tour. The two-hour journey weaves by the ecosystem’s surprisingly clear water, with narration on fowl calls, orchids, and animal tracks—to not point out wildlife sightings.

On swamp hikes, Bonebrake recommends sporting lengthy pants and close-toed footwear, equivalent to outdated health club footwear, for traction, safety, and stability. Walking poles are useful, too.

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Where to remain in Big Cypress National Preserve

The protect’s entrance and backcountry campgrounds are the one lodging choices within the protect. Advance reservations are required by way of Recreation.gov for all campsites; they open six months upfront.  

The nearest properties are in Everglades City, simply west of the protect entrance. Try Everglades Adventures Hotel on the town for an abode that additionally doubles as a tour firm, providing quite a few Big Cypress-area journey journeys, like airboat outings and guided kayaking. 

Local clothing store Everglades Adventure Tours additionally provides a handful of treehouse-style cabins close to the park entrance. The glamping digs, often known as the Chickee Cabins, overlook the swamp and prairie, providing a picturesque view of the celebs.

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