Information
ORV Permits Sold Online
Starting May 1st, 2026 ORV permits will only be able to be purchased online. Please visit the link to learn more.
Posted or updated Sep 29, 2026 ·Details on nps.gov
National Preserve
Big Cypress National Preserve
Big Cypress National Preserve is a National Preserve in Florida. The NPS currently lists 2 active alerts, 8 campgrounds and 2 visitor centers, and no entrance fee.
Florida National Preserve No entrance fee
Updated · NPS Data API
About the park
“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.”
Active alerts
2
Closures
0
Campgrounds
8
Visitor centers
2
Current alerts and closures
2 active NPS alerts as of Oct 28, 2026: 0 closures, 0 danger, 0 caution and 2 information.
Information
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.
Posted or updated Jul 8, 2024 ·Park conditions on nps.gov
Entrance fees and passes
This site has no entrance fee, according to NPS fee data.
Things to do
Florida National Scenic Trail
This 36-mile contiguous section of the Florida National Scenic Trail is the southernmost portion of trail. This moderately strenuous hike can be difficult to traverse at certain times of year.
2-5 Days Year-round
Stargazing in Big Cypress
Dark skies are essential natural, scientific, cultural, and economic resources. National Park sites, including Big Cypress National Preserve, are home to some of the last remaining dark skies in the country and are committed to protecting the night sky…
Year-round Pets allowed
Fire Prairie Trail
This five-mile long out and back trail is a great way to see the sawgrass prairies of Big Cypress National Preserve. Good for all skill levels, this trail provides unique viewing areas of some of the more elusive wildlife here.
1-3 Hours Year-round
See all 11 things to do in Big Cypress →
Activities the NPS lists for Big Cypress.
Arts and CultureAuto and ATVATV Off-RoadingScenic DrivingAstronomyStargazingBikingRoad BikingBoatingBoat TourCampingBackcountry CampingCar or Front Country CampingGroup CampingRV CampingFoodPicnickingGuided ToursHikingBackcountry HikingFront-Country HikingHunting and GatheringHuntingPaddlingCanoeingKayakingJunior Ranger ProgramWildlife WatchingBirdwatchingPark FilmMuseum ExhibitsShoppingBookstore and Park Store
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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.
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | All Day |
| Tuesday | All Day |
| Wednesday | All Day |
| Thursday | All Day |
| Friday | All Day |
| Saturday | All Day |
| Sunday | All Day |
Weather: 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,…
Contact and directions
- Phone
- 2396952000
- [email protected]
- Address
- 33100 Tamiami Trail East, Ochopee, FL 34141
- Coordinates
- 25.9708, -81.0812· View on OpenStreetMap
Visitor centers
| Visitor center | Standard hours | Phone | Passport stamp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nathaniel P. Reed Visitor Center | Daily: 9:00AM - 4:30PM | 2396951168 | Yes |
| Oasis Visitor Center | Daily: 9:00AM - 4:30PM | — | Yes |
Campgrounds
| Campground | Total sites | Reservable | First-come | RVs | Fee | Reserve |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bear Island Campground | 40 | 40 | 0 | Yes | $10 | Recreation.gov |
| Burns Lake | 0 | 15 | 0 | No | $24 | Recreation.gov |
| Gator Head | 9 | 0 | 9 | No | $10 | — |
| Midway Campground | 36 | 36 | 0 | Yes, up to 45 ft | $30 | Recreation.gov |
| Mitchell's Landing | 11 | 11 | 0 | Yes, up to 35 ft | $24 | Recreation.gov |
| Monument Lake | 36 | 36 | 0 | Yes | $28 | Recreation.gov |
| Pinecrest | 4 | 4 | 0 | Yes, up to 30 ft | $30 | Recreation.gov |
| Pink Jeep | 9 | 0 | 9 | No | $10 | — |
Site counts and fees are from the NPS campground data. Fees show the first listed rate; availability is not shown here — check the reservation site.
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More parks in Florida
Biscayne National ParkCanaveral National SeashoreCastillo de San Marcos National MonumentDe Soto National MemorialDry Tortugas National ParkEverglades National ParkFort Matanzas National MonumentGulf Islands National SeashoreTimucuan Ecological & Historic PreserveAll in Florida
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Nearest other NPS sites
Sources
- Park details, alerts, fees and passes, visitor centers and campgrounds: National Park Service Data API, snapshot of Oct 28, 2026.
- Official park page: https://www.nps.gov/bicy/index.htm
- Data: National Park Service (NPS) Data API, U.S. Department of the Interior (developer.nps.gov). This product uses the NPS Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the National Park Service. The National Park Service and the U.S. Department of the Interior do not endorse OpenParks. Photos are NPS images shown with their original credits; park descriptions are short excerpts credited to the NPS. Always confirm current conditions on nps.gov before you travel.