Big Cypress National Preserve
The first National Preserve in the National Park System, Big Cypress has a mixture of pines, hardwoods, prairies, mangrove forests, cypress strands and domes. White-tailed deer, bear and Florida panther can be found here along with the more tropical linguus tree snail, royal palm and cigar orchid. This meeting place of temperate and tropical species is a hotbed of biological diversity. Hydrologically, the Preserve serves as a supply of fresh, clean water for the vital estuaries of the ten thousand islands area near Everglades City. Visitors will find a recreational paradise with camping, canoeing, kayaking, hiking and birdwatching opportunities. Those passing through may be enticed to linger in this remnant of wild Florida to search for evidence of the elusive Florida panther or to watch an endangered woodstork feeding along a roadside canal.
Driving Directions
Plane - Miami International Airport services the area from the east coast, Ft. Myers International Airport from the west coast.
Car - I-75, state road 29, and U.S. 41 all travel through the preserve
Public Transportation - There is no public transportation within the Preserve.
For Visitors...
The things to do at Big Cypress National Preserve are bike riding, fishing, hiking, hunting, water sports and wildlife viewing. Visitors taking a southeast Florida vacation can find camping spots here. There's a picnic area.Find other southeast Florida area lakes and vacation ideas or return to the home page.