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If you’ve been here for any amount of time at all, you know I love Big Cypress. If you’re new here, I LOVE Big Cypress. A lot.
And one of my favorite things to do there is to drive Loop Road and look for wildlife! Loop Road is one of the scenic drives in Big Cypress, probably the most popular drive in the preserve.
It’s right off of the Tamiami Trail (the main highway through the park) and a good way to get into the swamp without getting INTO the swamp.
It starts at Monroe Station and is a packed dirt road that can have some pretty ok sized potholes you’ll have to navigate around. Take it slow and this is no problem (but not like, TOO slow, or if you are, let people pass when there’s room).
This is a very straight road, there’s like two turns and the are more like a bend in the road than a turn.
Both sides of the road are pretty dense swampy shrubs and trees for the majority of the road, but the beginning on the left (from Monroe Station) is more of an open cypress prairie and it’s beautiful!
There are still shrubs along the road, but you can see peeks of the prairie through it and in the drainage tunnel spaces.
It doesn’t have open sprawling views like the scenic drive in Everglades National Park, but it’s so beautiful in its own way.
At the edge of the prairie where it gets more swampy you’ll find the Gator Hook Trailhead, and the last large space to turn around. There are small pull-offs to turn around but nothing else this spacious.
There are quite a few small areas to pull over and enjoy the scenery and wildlife as you continue on the road, and I would definitely recommend utilizing those.
Keep your eyes peeled in the open areas for alligators on logs and along the edge of the road. You’ll see tons of birds and maybe even a snake if you’re lucky!
Or, really, a bear or panther if you’re lucky! Right around where the road switches from dirt to pavement, you’ll find the Tree Snail Hammock Trail, the other hiking trail on the road.
I haven’t done this one yet but I’d like to next time. It can be flooded depending on season and recent weather though, like all trails in this area.
If you’re looking for wildlife, it’s best to drive the Loop Road at dawn and dusk since that’s when animals are usually most active, but going in the middle of the day is also great, and when I’ve been there most of the time.
That’s a good time to see alligators while they warm up in the sun. I would plan 1-2 hours to drive the whole loop road.
Overall, the Big Cypress Loop Road isn’t like THE BEST scenic drive ever, but for the area it’s in, it’s beautiful and I do really love it and would definitely recommend it if you’re visiting Big Cypress and have time!
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Where is Big Cypress Loop Road?
Loop Road in Big Cypress is a scenic alternative to the Tamiami Trail. It starts at Monroe Station and ends at 40-Mile-Station.
Monroe Station is four miles west of the Oasis Visitor Center, and 15 east of the Big Cypress Welcome Center. It’s right between the Kirby Storter Boardwalk and Clyde Butcher’s gallery.
How long is Loop Road in Big Cypress?
Loop Road is 24 miles long, 15ish of them dirt. Any car should be able to drive Loop Road unless it’s been very rainy lately.
It can be pretty pot hole-y, so just take it slow, especially if you’re in a lower car.
What is there to do on Loop Road in Big Cypress?
Mostly look for wildlife but there are two hikes along the Loop Road. The first is Gator Hook Trail, which is a 4.6 mile round-trip wet hike and probably not for the casual visitor. We just did part of this one.
The other is the Tree Snail Hammock Trail, which is just a 0.2 mile loop near where the road changes from dirt to pavement. This one can be very wet, depending on season and recent weather. I haven’t done this one yet.
What kind of wildlife is on Loop Road?
This is one of the best areas in Big Cypress to look for wildlife. It’s also one of the busiest (still not busy comparatively) but for good reason.
Here is some of the wildlife I’ve seen on Loop Road (and some I haven’t):
- Alligators (and baby ones!)
- Cottonmouth
- Egrets
- Cormorants
- Anhingas
- Florida panther
- Black bears
- Vultures
- Hawks
- And so much more!
Is the Loop Road worth driving?
Yes! At least the dirt part of it. I think I’ve only driven the whole thing twice maybe? But the dirt part probably at least ten times. That’s the best part for spotting wildlife.
It’s not a wide open road so don’t expect sprawling views, but for a drive through the swamp, it’s perfect.
Have you drive the Big Cypress Loop Road? What did you think of it? Do you want to drive it?
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