Is Big Cypress Worth Visiting? Find Out Why It Is!

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It’s no secret that I love Big Cypress. I’m preparing for our trip back down there soon as I write this, which is just making me even more excited about it.

But a lot of people don’t even know about Big Cypress much less if it’s actually worth visiting.

So today I’m sharing all the reasons Big Cypress is worth visiting. It’s mostly overshadowed by Everglades National Park next door but it’s definitely worth making the trek here if you can.

I will make a note here about seasons. Big Cypress is 1000% worth visiting in the winter and early spring/late fall. For this post I’m assuming you’re visiting in the winter!

For the average visitor, I probably wouldn’t go in the summer as it’s going to be extremely hot, humid, and buggy.

It’s worth driving through any time of year but if you want to do any hiking or paddling, it’s not the best season.

air plant on tree in big cypress florida

National Park Goodies

If you’re planning to visit three or more national parks within a year from your trip, definitely get the America the Beautiful pass. It will save you money in the long run if you’re going to more than three parks in a year. Buy the pass here.
If you’re planning on doing a lot of hiking on your trip, or even at home, check out AllTrails! This is my favorite app to find, keep track of, and track my hiking activity. And it’s FREE! Sign up here.
This Ultimate National Park Planning Bundle is a must-have. You get two ebooks and a planner, saving 50% by getting them as a bundle! If you want all the details, this is the bundle for you. Buy the Ultimate bundle here.
Doing a road trip? Want an adventure? Consider an Escape Campervan Rental! It’s a great way to see the parks and is perfect for couples and small (but close) friend groups. Book a campervan here!
This National Park Planner (one of the ebooks from the bundle above) is perfect if you just want some guidance in your planning. Buy the planner here.
Get yourself a National Park journal for all of the NPS sites (400+!) to keep track of your travels!
Consider reading some of these books set in national parks before your big trip, on your adventure, or once you get home to take you back to the parks until next time.

Alligators!

I had to start this list off with alligators, one of the best reasons to visit Big Cypress! Every time we go we see so many alligators.

And you don’t even need to leave the visitor centers to see them! There are always a ton in front of the Oasis Visitor Center.

You can see them all along the side of the Tamiami Trail and Alligator Alley, along hiking trails, and as you paddle through the swamp.

bird on marsh trail ten thousand islands

pelicans on marsh trail ten thousand islands florida

Birds!

I like to say I’m a bird nerd in the making because, while I love seeing them a lot, I can’t name anything other than the major big species and I don’t know anything about small birds.

But if you are a bird nerd already (I say bird nerd in literally the best way possible) or want to be one, this is a great place to get started.

Birds. Are. Everywhere. The last time I was here with my parents was mid-March and we saw very few birds but January and February are usually poppin.

There is a ton of camping

Funnily enough, Big Cypress is the one place so far I wasn’t afraid of camping. Which makes no sense since they also have panthers and bears.

Maybe it would be different at a more remote campground. Who knows. What I do know is that camping in Big Cypress is wonderful.

And there are so many campgrounds to choose from whether you’re in an RV, car, or tent, or want an easily accessible campground or something more remote. They have it all.

The best part is, it’s not a complete nightmare trying to get a campsite here, either. At least at this point.

And a surprising amount of hiking

While Big Cypress and the Everglades are known for the kayaking opportunities, there is tons of hiking in and around Big Cypress, too.

I’m on a mission to do all of the hikes here and I’d say I’m doing pretty good so far, but I have a good number left still.

Here are just some of the places to hike and specific hikes in and around Big Cypress:

Marsh Trail
Fakahatchee boardwalk
Fakahatchee Hilton
Gator Hook Trail
Collier-Seminole State Park
Florida Panther Refuge
Kirby Storter Boardwalk
Florida Trail (parts of it, it actually ends here!)

Plus, it’s great for kayaking

Like I said, the best way to see this area is by kayaking and there are plenty of places to do that.

There are some paddle trails in the park of varying distances, or you can join a ranger-guided paddling tour or a paid kayaking tour.

Whichever trail you choose, guided or not, it will be a wonderful experience. You’ll get to enjoy the park with a lot more solitude from a unique perspective. This is definitely one of the best reasons to visit Big Cypress.

Book a manatee and mangrove kayaking tour here!

And it even has an art gallery

About halfway between Everglades City and Homestead is the Clyde Butcher Big Cypress Gallery!

He’s one of the most well-known Florida landscape photographers, and OG if you will, so stopping here is a must.

They also offer swamp walks if you want to get out and into the swamp more, literally. You’ll get to walk through the water in the beautiful swamp surrounding the gallery.

Big cypress national preserve florida loop road

It’s not terribly busy

If you do anything outside of the visitor centers in Big Cypress, you probably won’t be running into too many other people.

Sure, there will probably be other people but most likely not like Everglades National Park next door. I think it’s a bit of a Florida hidden gem even though it’s not that hidden.

florida panther track on fire prairie trail big cypress florida

It has Florida panthers

One of the best places to see the elusive Florida Panther is in the Big Cypress area. This is their primary habitat.

That said, it’s pretty unlikely you’ll actually see one. But one can hope! I’ve seen pictures and videos of them in the Fakahatchee Strand, too.

While I haven’t seen a panther in person yet (fingers crossed!) we have seen panther tracks. Or at least I think that’s a panther track. Or a big bobcat.

It’s so beautiful!

Finally, one of the best things that makes Big Cypress worth visiting, it’s beauty,

No, it doesn’t have the dramatic landscapes of the southwest US but it’s incredibly beautiful in an entirely different way.

I absolutely love visiting Big Cypress and it’s beauty never disappoints. So, if you’ve been wondering “is visiting Big Cypress worth it?”

Yes! it very much is.

Book an Everglades City wetland kayaking tour here!

cottonmouth snake in Big cypress Florida

Where to stay in Everglades City

Ivey House – We stayed here one night and I really liked it. It calls itself a bed and breakfast but it’s really just a hotel. It’s cute though and I’d stay again.

Everglades Adventures Hotel Suites – This is run by Ivey House and looks nice and new. I would like to stay here sometime.

Captain’s Table Hotel – If you want no frills and budget, this is your best bet. We spent almost a week here at an Airbnb in the hotel and it’s not fancy at all, and the room was small, but it got the job done without costing a fortune.