Rate Big Cypress National Preserve
Learn and Explore
Since 1916, the National Park Service has been entrusted with the care of our national parks. With the help of volunteers and partners, we safeguard these special places and share their stories with more than 275 million visitors every year. But our work doesn’t stop there.
We are proud that tribes, local governments, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and individual citizens ask for our help in revitalizing their communities, preserving local history, celebrating local heritage, and creating close to home opportunities for kids and families to get outside, be active, and have fun.
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Our Mission
The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I obtain a park entrance pass?
Only 118 of your 417 park sites charge entrance fees. You can obtain park entrance passes by visiting a park site that charges an entrance fee. Entrance fee sites have passes available; we recommend calling a park prior to your visit. (See the park search to locate a specific park.) There are a number of entrance passes available, including park-specific passes as well as passes that offer entrance to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites in addition to the national parks (Annual, Military, Senior, 4th Grade, Access, and Volunteer passes). Learn more about the America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.
About this location:
National Preserve
Operating Hours & Seasons
Big Cypress National Preserve
The preserve is open 24 hours a day 365 days a year. The Oasis Visitor Center and the Welcome Center are closed on December 25th. No fee is charged for access to the preserve.
Standard Hours
- Sunday:12:00 AM-12:00 AM
- Monday:12:00 AM-12:00 AM
- Tuesday:12:00 AM-12:00 AM
- Wednesday:12:00 AM-12:00 AM
- Thursday:12:00 AM-12:00 AM
- Friday:12:00 AM-12:00 AM
- Saturday:12:00 AM-12:00 AM
Fees & Passes
Entrance Fees:
- $0.00 – Entrance Fee
There is no entrance fee for Big Cypress National Preserve
About
Freshwater to the Sea
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. Protecting 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 a diversity of wildlife, including the elusive Florida panther.
Directions
Big Cypress is located along the Tamiami Trail East and I-75 in southern Florida. The preserve can be accessed by driving from Miami and Naples. The preserves two visitor centers are located along Tamiami Trail East.
Visitor Centers
Welcome Center
Dedicated in 2010, the Big Cypress Swamp Welcome Center is an interagency center for all public lands within the Big Cypress Swamp. The facility was designed with energy conservation in mind, making maximum use of renewable resources. The welcome center offers indoor and outdoor exhibits related to the natural and cultural history of the Big Cypress Swamp, educational materials and an introductory film to the swamp, its resources and recreational opportunities. Its auditorium is available to reserve. Oasis Visitor Center
This 1960s building was once a private airport with a hangar and restaurant. It was eye-catching from the road due to the passenger plane mounted to its roof. It was eventually purchased by the National Park Service in the 1980s. Today, there are exhibits related to the natural and cultural history of the preserve, educational materials, sales items, and an introductory film. The off-road vehicle office is here, where visitors are issued permits to drive off-road vehicles in the national preserve.
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, temperatures in the mid – to – high 80s and a multitude of mosquitoes. DRY SEASON (November through April) Falling water levels within the Big Cypress make this a pleasant time to hike, camp, and watch wildlife. For more information visit http://www.nps.gov/bicy/planyourvisit/weather.htm
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