Outdoors
Big Cypress is the Everglades edge between coasts
Big Cypress National Preserve gives South Florida a huge swamp landscape between the Atlantic side and the Gulf side.
Big Cypress fills the space between the Everglades people picture and the roads people actually drive.
The National Park Service preserve covers more than 729,000 acres. Much of it is freshwater swamp. It supports the neighboring Everglades and southwest Florida estuaries. The land has tropical and temperate plant communities. It also includes Florida panther habitat, scenic drives, ranger activities, hiking, camping, and paddling.
For someone crossing South Florida, Big Cypress explains why the land between Miami, Naples, Everglades City, and the Gulf side is not empty. It is water, road edges, wildlife habitat, tribal and local history, and public land at a huge scale. It also helps connect the Atlantic side of South Florida with the Gulf side.
Check NPS before you go. Confirm visitor centers, road status, permits, camping, trail access, weather, water, and closures. A scenic drive is easier than a backcountry plan, but both need current details. Take it slow. Big Cypress rewards patience more than speed.
Where to see it
Big Cypress National Preserve in South Florida. Check NPS for visitor centers, scenic drives, permits, camping, trails, weather, closures, and alerts before visiting.
Official sources
Last checked against these sources: June 30, 2026.