Discover Florida’s best-kept secret
A land unlike any other.
Just beyond the the Tamiami Trail lies one of Florida’s best-kept secrets—Big Cypress National Preserve, a breathtaking 729,000-acre wilderness stretching across Collier, Dade, and Monroe Counties. It’s a unique place where nature thrives, history lives on, and adventure awaits.
A legacy that endures.
Designated in 1974 as the first National Preserve in the U.S., Big Cypress was saved from development thanks to conservationists, sportsmen, indigenous tribes, and environmental advocates. Its special designation allows for a balance of preservation and traditional use—protecting this vast landscape while honoring the cultural traditions of the Seminole and Miccosukee peoples.
An untamed beauty.
Big Cypress is a patchwork of wild beauty: cypress swamps, hardwood hammocks, sawgrass prairies, pinelands, and mangrove estuaries form a rich and interconnected ecosystem. This vital landscape is home to rare and iconic wildlife, including the elusive Florida panther, American alligator, ghost orchid, and over 200 species of birds. It’s a living classroom and a photographer’s paradise.
A rare window to the stars.
Big Cypress National Preserve is one of the few places in the eastern U.S. with truly dark night skies. Designated an International Dark Sky Park in 2016 – an honor held only by a small number of protected areas worldwide – it offers breathtaking views of the Milky Way and countless starts. Despite its proximity to Miami and Naples, the preserve remains a sanctuary for stargazing, with seasonal ranger-led astronomy programs and a strong commitment to protecting natural darkness.
picture credit: Scott Randolph
A remarkable adventure.
Visitors can hike, kayak, backcountry camp, or ride swamp buggies and airboats through the preserve’s untamed heart. Whether you’re tracking wildlife, paddling through quiet waters, or simply soaking in the stillness, Big Cypress is a place to reconnect—with nature, with history, and with yourself.
A place for everyone.
Whether you’re looking for adventure, wildlife, or just a peaceful day outside with your family, Big Cypress has something special to offer. We hope you’ll come visit, explore, and fall in love with this one-of-a-kind place—and help us protect it for future generations to enjoy.
Visit Big Cypress National Preserve
Nathaniel P. Reed Visitor Center
33000 Tamiami Trail East, Ochopee, Florida, 34141
Hours: Open 7 days a week, 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
Oasis Visitor Center
52105 Tamiami Trl E, Ochopee, FL 34141
Hours: Open 7 days a week, 9:00 am – 4:30 pm