Big Cypress National Preserve
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Big Cypress at a glance
- Best time
- March–April, October–November
- Trip length
- 2–4 days
- Don't miss
- Main Big Cypress highlights — see Things to Do for current listings
- Nearby city
- Ochopee, FL
Explore this park
About Big Cypress National Preserve
The freshwaters of the Big Cypress Swamp, essential to the health of the neighboring Everglades, support the rich marine estuaries along Florida's southwest coast. Conserving over 729,000 acres of this vast swamp, Big Cypress National Preserve contains a mixture of tropical and temperate plant communities that are home to diverse wildlife, including the Endangered Florida panther.
2 current NPS alerts
- Information: ORV Permits Sold Online
- Information: Park Passes
Source: National Park Service (as of Nov 11, 2026). Official Big Cypress National Preserve page on nps.gov
Weather Information
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.
Operating Hours
The preserve is open 24 hours a day 365 days a year. The Oasis Visitor Center and the Nathaniel P. Reed Visitor Center are closed on December 25th. No fee is charged for access to the preserve.
- MondayAll Day
- TuesdayAll Day
- WednesdayAll Day
- ThursdayAll Day
- FridayAll Day
- SaturdayAll Day
- SundayAll Day
Common questions
Planning Big Cypress National Preserve
The summary above covers timing and highlights. These go deeper on reservations, crowds, and logistics — check Alerts for live updates.
Reservation rules vary by season and activity for Big Cypress. See Overview on this page for fees, timed entry, and campground details before you travel.
