Big Cypress National Preserve

Usual hours

• Mon–Sun 0:00–0:00

From 56 published days, 2026-10-21 to 2026-12-15; community-mapped.

About

Entrance / day-use fee applies.

This park's official page lists: Store / concessions.

This park's official page lists: Visitor center.

Official facts

Public access: Open access.

Protected area: 541,492 acres (219,134 ha).

Designation: National Preserve. Listed as "Big Cypress National Preserve" in the Protected Areas Database of the United States. Protection: protected from conversion, multiple uses allowed (GAP 3).

Established: 1974.

Managed by: NPS.

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gap Analysis Project (GAP), 2025, Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) 4.1

At the park

• Camping activity
• Hunting activity
• Stargazing scenic feature
• Hiking trails trail
• Paddling (kayak/canoe) water

Events

• Visitor Centers Closed Christmas Day Oasis Visitor Center and Big Cypress Welcome Center
• Swamp Heritage Festival 10:00 AM–03:30 PM

Before you go

Mobility

Available in the park: mobility & stroller rentals. Confirm rental availability and pricing with the park.

Limits

Your pet is allowed in the campgrounds, picnic areas, around buildings, such as the Oasis Visitor Center and Big Cypress Swamp Welcome Center, and parking areas

Limits

Your pet is allowed in the campgrounds, picnic areas, around buildings, such as the Oasis Visitor Center and Big Cypress Swamp Welcome Center, and parking areas

Park alert: ORV Permits Sold Online

Starting May 1st, 2026 ORV permits will only be able to be purchased online. Please visit the link to learn more.

Park alert: Park Passes

Park passes, including: America the Beautiful, Veteran, Lifetime, etc., are UNAVAILABLE for purchase/pickup within Big Cypress. Shark Valley Visitor Center (Everglades) is the closest location to Big Cypress for purchase.

Getting there

Big Cypress National Preserve is located along Tamiami Trail East (US 41) and I-75 in southern Florida. The preserve can be accessed by driving from the cities of Miami and Naples. The preserve's two visitor centers are located along Tamiami Trail East.

Weather & when to go

Big Cypress National Preserve experiences two predominant seasons- wet and dry. RAINY SEASON (May through October) While visiting during this season you may find daily afternoon thunderstorms, high humidity, temperatures in the mid-to-high 80s and a multitude of mosquitoes. DRY SEASON (November through April) Falling water levels within Big Cypress make this a pleasant time to hike, camp, and watch wildlife.

Visitor center

Florida National Scenic Trail Southern Terminus

Visitor center

Florida National Scenic Trail Southern Terminus

Visitor center

Florida National Scenic Trail Southern Terminus

Visitor center

Florida National Scenic Trail Southern Terminus

Visitor center

Nathaniel P. Reed Visitor Center — The Visitor Center is open every day of the week, year-round, except December 25. — From Naples: Heading east on US41, just a few miles east of SR29. Heading south on I-75, exit SR-29 south (toll), then turn left to head east on US41, OR exit onto N Collier Blvd (toll free) heading south, then turn left onto US41. From Miami: Head west on US41. The Welcome Center is on the left shortly after MM 74.

Visitor center

Nathaniel P. Reed Visitor Center

Visitor center

Nathaniel P. Reed Visitor Center

Visitor center

Nathaniel P. Reed Visitor Center

Visitor center

Oasis Visitor Center

Visitor center

Oasis Visitor Center

Visitor center

Oasis Visitor Center

Visitor center

Oasis Visitor Center

Facilities on the park map

3 bench, 1 mobility rental, 6 picnic area, 14 restroom, 17 visitor information.

Where to stay

• Monument Lake Monument Lake campground offers restrooms, drinking water and designated 26 RV and 10 tent sites. NO HOOKUPS for electricity, sewer or water are available at this campground. · 36 campsites · Accessibility: This campground meets minimum ADA requirements for access.
• Midway Campground This campground offers electric hookups for RV sites, dump station, flush toilets, and water. Each RV campsite has its own picnic table and hibachi style grill. Covered picnic areas are located around the lake for day use. · 36 campsites · Accessibility: This campground meets minimum ADA requirements for access.
• Burns Lake Primitive camping with no water. Vault toilets available. This site provides day use picnic area and backcountry access parking. The campground accommodates 15 designated RV/tent sites.
• Mitchell's Landing Primitive camping with no water. Vault toilets are available. Eleven sites available. Access to the Mitchell Landing Campground is along a secondary gravel road. · 11 campsites · Accessibility: This campground meets minimum ADA requirements for access.
• Pinecrest This campground is for group camping only. Four sites available to accommodate eight tents at 15 people each.There is no water or restroom facilities. Access to the Pinecrest Campground is along a secondary gravel road. · 4 campsites · Accessibility: This campground meets minimum ADA requirements for access.
• Bear Island Campground Primitive campground with no water. Vault toilets available. Forty designated sites. Access to the Bear Island Campground is at the end of a 20-mile secondary gravel road · 40 campsites · Accessibility: This campground meets minimum ADA requirements for access.
• Gator Head This is a primitive campground, which contains nine campsites. No water. Vault toilets are available. This campground is accessible only by permitted off-road vehicles, biking or hiking. · 9 campsites · Accessibility: This campground meets minimum ADA requirements for access.
• Pink Jeep This is a primitive campground, containing nine campsites. No water. Vault toilets are available. Pink Jeep can be accessed by off-road vehicle, hiking or biking. Backcountry permits are required for all, off-road vehicle permits are required for off-road vehicles. · 9 campsites · Accessibility: This campground meets minimum ADA requirements for access.

History

Heritage status

Listed heritage / protected status