Top 6 Things To Do in Big Cypress National Preserve

Tucked between the Everglades and the western edge of Florida’s Ten Thousand Islands lies Big Cypress National Preserve, a wild and wonderfully underrated slice of subtropical paradise. Known for its swamps, wildlife, and quirky roadside attractions, Big Cypress is full of unexpected gems worth pulling over for.

Whether you're driving through or planning a full day of exploring, here are 6 must-see stops in the preserve.

1. Loop Road Scenic Drive

If you do one thing in Big Cypress, it has to be a drive on the Loop Road Scenic Drive. This 24-mile stretch (part gravel, part paved) winds through some of the most remote and wild areas of Big Cypress.

Keep your eyes peeled for gators sunning themselves in the canal, birds wading through the cypress-lined waters, and maybe even a panther paw print in the mud. It's the best place to see the iconic cypress knees jutting out of the water that this area is known for. It's a slow drive—but that’s the point. Take it all in.

There are a couple really nice trails to get out and stretch your legs and explore along the way including the Tree Snail Hammock Trail and the Gator Hook trail. The Tree Snail Hammock trail is a short 0.3 mile trail through a hardwood hammock and is named for the endemic tree snails that can be found here.

And the Gator Hook trail is a longer 5 mile out-and-back trail that runs along one of the historic tram roads that was originally built by loggers to transport cypress trees out of the swamp. But beware - during the wet season this trail is entirely a wet walk through the swamp!

2. Oasis Visitor Center

A perfect starting point for any trip into the preserve, the Oasis Visitor Center has everything you need to get oriented. Chat with rangers, pick up maps and trail info, and check out the educational exhibits on the fascinating history of gator wrestling form the Seminole Tribe in Florida.

The Oasis Visitor Center also marks the southern terminus of the Florida National Scenic Trail. The Florida Scenic Trail stretches 1,400 miles across Florida all the way up to Pensacola.

And don’t miss the boardwalk out back—it’s a popular hangout for alligators and a great place to stretch your legs before diving deeper into the preserve.

3. Historic Big Cypress Post Office - The Smallest Post Office in the United States

Yes, there’s a post office in Big Cypress, and it’s been here for over a century! This tiny but iconic building feels like a time capsule and still operates today. This building was originally an irrigation pipe shed for a tomato farm. But after a fire burned the original Post Office in 1953, this one was hurriedly pressed into service and has been in continuous use ever since.

You can even buy fun postcards for $ for domestic or $2 for international shipping. Tourists and stamp collectors from all over the world seek out this post office for its famed Ochopee post mark!

4. H.P. Williams Roadside Park

H.P. Williams Roadside Park offers restrooms, picnic tables, and another boardwalk where you can view alligators. Due to the constant presence of water in this canal, this is a perfect location to see wildlife.

H.P. Williams Park is also the entrance to another popular scenic drive. This drive follows Turner River Road, Upper Wagon Wheel Road, and Birdon Road forming a U-shape back to the main park road. A series of canals run alongside the road that provides a habitat for wildlife especially during the dry season when water is scarce. If you do decide to do this drive - be prepared for a very bumpy and dusty ride!

5. Nathaniel P. Reed Visitor Center

Located on the western edge of the preserve near Naples, the Nathaniel P. Reed Visitor Center is packed with exhibits about the area’s unique habitats as well as the history of Big Cypress National Preserve.

Around back is another boardwalk next to the water where you can see alligators and mangrove trees. And if you're lucky, you may even spot manatees!

6. Skunk Ape Research Headquarters

You can’t visit Big Cypress without stopping at one of its quirkiest roadside attractions—the Skunk Ape Research Headquarters. Part gift shop, part wildlife exhibit, part cryptid museum, this place is a love letter to Florida folklore.

The legend of the Skunk Ape is often synonymous with Sasquatch or Bigfoot. And what better place for the creature to hide than the Florida Everglades?

The headquarters also serves as the campground office and small reptile exhibit which does cost $10 to see.

Ready to Explore Big Cypress?

Whether you’re chasing wildlife, diving into swampy folklore, or just looking for a scenic drive through one of Florida’s most underrated landscapes, Big Cypress National Preserve is full of surprises. It’s the kind of place where you can spot an alligator, mail a postcard from a tiny Post Office, and visit a skunk ape museum—all in the same day.

So pack some snacks, fill up the tank, and get ready to slow down and soak up the wild, wonderful weirdness of Big Cypress. You never know what you’ll find around the next bend.