If you hear \u201cFlorida\u201d and think \u201cswamp,\u201d Big Cypress National Preserve will prove you right \u2014 and also showcase the incredible natural wonders of south Florida. With over 700,000 acres encompassing five different habitats, Big Cy\u00adpress is home to over 100 endangered and threatened species, giving visitors a safe look at some of the rarest creatures in the country.<\/p>\n
One of the first national preserves in the country, Big Cypress was established in 1974. Part of the national park system, parks and preserves differ in that certain activities are allowed in preserves as long as they do not jeopardize natural re\u00adsources; for example, some hunting is allowed at Big Cypress.<\/p>\n
The park\u2019s Oasis Visit\u00adors Center is located di\u00adrectly between Naples to the west and Miami to the east on the Tamiami Trail. Don\u2019t let the hour-long drive deter you as there\u2019s plenty to see on the way \u2014 namely dozens upon dozens of 12-foot-long alligators basking along the roadside. They\u2019re a safe distance away across a drainage canal \u2014 perfect for snapping a picture.<\/p>\n
For an even better look at the gators, the boardwalk at the visitors center provides a bird\u2019s eye view of the Big Cypress wildlife. The interpretive trail is short but provides a surprisingly meditative experience as gators, turtles and fish glide by.<\/p>\n
The visitors center is an excellent opportunity to en\u00adgage with the culture and history of the region. A rotating gallery showcases local art, and several films are available to dive deeper into the unique natural identity of the preserve.<\/p>\n
The preserve abuts the land of the Miccosukee tribe, and an exhibit is dedicated to the tribe\u2019s centuries-old history of alligator wrest\u00adling. Try your hand at prying open the jaw of a me\u00adchanical alligator \u2014 an al\u00adligator can exert over 2,000 pounds per square inch of jaw pressure.<\/p>\n
Big Cypress is a popular hiking and camping location; it is the southern terminus of the Florida Na\u00adtional Scenic Trail, which stretches 1,500 miles to Pen\u00adsacola Beach. Check the preserve\u2019s schedule for ranger-led talks and tours, including canoe trips, bike programs and boardwalk chats; the park even of\u00adfers a daily \u201cwet walk\u201d where visitors can wade through swamp waters on a guided tour (bring old shoes and a change of clothes).<\/p>\n
Kids can participate in the Junior Ranger program by learning about the park and completing fun activities. Got time to stay past dark? Astronomy programs give visitors the opportunity to see one of the darkest night skies on the east coast \u2014 Big Cy\u00adpress was named an Inter\u00adnational Dark Sky Park in 2016.<\/p>\n
To truly get immersed in Big Cypress, take the 24-mile Loop Road that runs south from Oasis Visitors Center and east back tow\u00adards Miami. The cypress swamp is teeming with red-shouldered hawks, eg\u00adrets, anhingas, and woodpeckers, as well as the invasive Burmese python.<\/p>\n
The road traverses several different habitats, including swamp, slash pines, a hardwood hammock, and cypress strand. High up in the trees are hundreds of thousands of air plants, soilless plants that directly absorb light and nutrients through their leaves.<\/p>\n
Whether you\u2019re looking for weird, wild or just wetlands, Big Cypress is an adventure deep in the heart of Florida.<\/p>\n