National park · United States
Big Cypress National Preserve
Big Cypress costs nothing to enter: drive the Tamiami Trail (US 41) and stop at Oasis Visitor Center, walk the 8.3-mile Florida Trail section from the highway, or take a swamp buggy or boardwalk loop in the dry season (Nov–Apr). Skip it in the wet months unless you want heat, storms and bugs.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
2,913 km²1,125 sq mi
approximate
Established
1974
Best months
Nov–Mar
UNESCO
Biosphere
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 2,913 km²1,125 sq mi
- About 720,000 acres (2,913 km²); figures vary slightly by source (check).
- Established
- 1974
- Best months
- Nov–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
Big Cypress National Preserve protects over 720,000 acres (2,913 km²) of freshwater swamp in South Florida, next to Everglades National Park. It is a National Preserve, not a national park, so there is no entrance fee and hunting and off-road vehicles are allowed under permit. Two roads cross it: Interstate 75 (Alligator Alley) and US Highway 41 (Tamiami Trail). Almost everything visitors do starts from the Tamiami Trail, where the Oasis Visitor Center sits about 50 miles west of Miami and 50 miles east of Naples. The dry season (November–April) is when you see wildlife and walk dry trails; the rainy season (May–October) floods the trails and brings afternoon storms.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO Biosphere Reserve · 1976Part of the Everglades and Dry Tortugas Biosphere Reserve (check).
- Special national siteA National Preserve, not a national park: no entrance fee, and hunting and off-road vehicle use are permitted under regulation.
Size and age
2,913 km²1,125 sq mi · national park since 1974
About 720,000 acres (2,913 km²); figures vary slightly by source (check).
Why go
- No entrance fee and no reservation: you can stop on the Tamiami Trail and be on a trail in minutes.
- The Florida Trail's southern sections cross the preserve, from short dry-season walks to a 28-mile backcountry route.
- Dry-season wildlife is the draw: wading birds, alligators and the cypress strands themselves.
- It is the quiet neighbour of Everglades National Park, with far fewer people on the same kind of swamp.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepAvoid
- OctCaution
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanCool, dry, breezy; peak wildlife and visitor season
- FebDry and clear; busiest month
- MarWarm, still dry; good walking
- AprHeating up; dry trails hold
- MayRainy season starts; mosquitoes build
- JunHot, humid, daily storms, heavy bugs
- JulWettest stretch; trails flooded
- AugHeat and storm peak; hurricane season
- SepStill wet; hurricane risk highest
- OctRains ease late in the month; water still high
- NovDry season begins; wildlife returns
- DecCool and dry; holiday crowds
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wading birds and alligatorsNov–Apr · Dry season concentrates wildlife at remaining water. | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| MosquitoesMay–Oct · Heavy in the wet months; repellent and long sleeves. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| White-tailed deer, turkey and hogsAll year · Hunted in season; wear bright colours in hunting season. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Miami
Drive US 41 (Tamiami Trail) west to the Oasis Visitor Center.
1.5–2 h
Open the page →
From Naples
Drive US 41 east to the Oasis Visitor Center.
1–1.5 h
From Everglades National Park
Combine both in one loop: Everglades first, then US 41 west through Big Cypress.
Half day
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Tamiami Trail corridor (US 41) | Oasis Visitor Center, boardwalks, roadside stops and the main trailheads. | Open; no fee. |
| Bear Island area | Gravel-road backcountry with primitive campgrounds and ORV routes. | Secondary gravel road; some campgrounds need an ORV permit. |
| Interior cypress and prairies | The Florida Trail's long middle section between US 41 and I-75. | On foot; no water in the dry season. |
| Seminole tribal land | Land beyond the preserve's north boundary. | Restricted; entry limited to permitted hikers. |
Sketch map
- 1Oasis Visitor Center · Headquarters≈25.859, -81.034Map ↗
- 2Loop Road · Trail≈25.760, -81.050Map ↗
- 3Monument Lake campground · Sleep≈25.860, -81.090Map ↗
- 4Midway campground · Sleep≈25.920, -81.120Map ↗
- 5Bear Island · Trail≈26.100, -81.200Map ↗
- 6I-75 rest area (mile marker 63) · Ranger station≈26.150, -81.150Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entrance | Free | person | No entrance fee for a National Preserve. |
| Off-road vehicle permit | Free | vehicle | Required for ORV routes; buy at the Oasis Visitor Center permit office. Price varies by permit type — check current rates with the preserve (check). |
| Monument Lake campground, RV or tent site | US$16 | night | 2026 estimate; about $8 with a Golden Age or Access pass. |
| Midway campground, RV site with electric hookup | US$19 | night | 2026 estimate; tent site about $16. |
| Primitive camping (Bear Island, Burns Lake, Pinecrest, Mitchell's Landing) | Free | night | No fee; no water or restrooms. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Off-road vehicle permit permit or guide
Hiking on marked trails no permit
Camping no permit
Ranger-led activities permit or guide
Park rules
- Entrance fee
- None. This is a National Preserve, not a national park.
- Off-road vehicles
- Permit required; buy at the Oasis Visitor Center and follow designated routes only.
- Hunting
- Allowed in season for deer, turkey and hogs; alligator hunting is not allowed in the preserve.
- Camping
- Designated campgrounds only, first-come first-served, maximum 10 days.
- Water
- No potable water on the long trail sections in the dry season; carry everything you need.
Where to stay
In the park
Monument Lake campground
Restrooms, drinking water, cold outdoor shower; 26 RV and 10 tent sites.
In the park
Midway campground
Open year round; electric hookups on RV sites and a dump station.
In the park
Bear Island primitive campgrounds
Bear Island, Pink Jeep and Gator Pit; no water or restrooms.
Near the park
Naples or Everglades City
Hotels and motels on either side of the preserve, 1–1.5 h from the Oasis Visitor Center.
Safety
Heat and humidity high
Flooded trails in the rainy season medium
Alligators medium
Hurricanes and storms medium
Accessibility
- The Oasis Visitor Center and its boardwalk are reachable by car with short, level walks.
- The long Florida Trail sections are rough, often wet and not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked trails and designated ORV routes; the swamp surface scars easily.
- Carry out all rubbish, including food waste that attracts wildlife.
- Keep your distance from alligators and nesting birds rather than moving closer for a photo.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Big Cypress National Preserve?
Nothing. There is no entrance fee, because it is a National Preserve rather than a national park. You pay only for extras: an off-road vehicle permit, camping (about $16–19 a night at Monument Lake or Midway) or a guided swamp buggy trip.
What are the best hikes in Big Cypress National Preserve?
The Loop Road to US 41 section of the Florida Trail is the easiest real walk: about 8.3 miles one way through dwarf cypress and prairie, well marked and dry in winter. The US 41 to I-75 section is a 28-mile backcountry route with no water in the dry season, for experienced hikers only. The I-75 to north boundary section is about 8 miles along an old oil road.
When is the best time to visit Big Cypress National Preserve?
November to April. The dry season brings cool, breezy days, dry trails and concentrated wildlife. May to October is the rainy season: hot, humid, daily afternoon storms and heavy mosquitoes, with trails knee- to waist-deep in water.
Do I need a permit to hike or camp?
No permit for marked trails or designated campgrounds, which are first-come, first-served and limited to 10 days. Off-road vehicles need a permit from the Oasis Visitor Center, and hiking through Seminole tribal land beyond the north boundary requires paperwork filed with the Seminole Tribe.
Can I see alligators and other wildlife?
Yes, most reliably in the dry season when water is low and animals gather at what remains. Watch from the road or a boardwalk, keep your distance and never feed them.
Is Big Cypress the same as Everglades National Park?
No. They are neighbours but separate: Everglades is a national park with an entrance fee, Big Cypress is a national preserve with no fee and allows hunting and off-road vehicles under permit.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go