Big Cypress National Preserve
Trailie
Build your Big Cypress itinerary
Tell Trailie your dates, pace, and interests — get a day-by-day Big Cypress National Preserve plan with hikes, drives, and must-see stops.
Big Cypress at a glance
- Best time
- March–April, October–November
- Trip length
- 2–4 days
- Don't miss
- Turner River/Wagonwheel/Birdon Scenic Drive
- Nearby city
- Ochopee, FL
Explore this park
Alerts(3)
Off Road Vehicle Inspections
NPS detailsORV renewals & new permits will be issued at the Nathanial P. Reed Visitor Center Friday-Monday, 9am-1:30pm. No permits will be issued Tuesday-Thursday. Permits will be issued first-come first-served. Visit our ORV page for more information
ORV Permits Sold Online
NPS detailsStarting May 1st, 2026 ORV permits will be able to be purchased online. The physical office will remain open for the summer Friday-Monday from 9am-1:30pm. Please click the link to PREVIEW the site until it goes live on May 1st.
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.
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.
