BIG CYPRESS NATIONAL
PRESERVE
Ochopee, FL
Description
The Preserve is host to a variety of natural, cultural,
and recreational opportunities. Here you will find
a mixture of pines, hardwoods and prairies mixed with
palm trees, mangrove and orchids. White-tailed deer,
bear and Florida panther can be found in the same
areas as the more tropical Florida tree snail, Cape
Sable seaside sparrow and roseate spoonbill. Hydrologically,
the Preserve serves as a supply of fresh, clean water
for the vital estuaries of the Ten Thousand Islands
area. Culturally, the Preserve has served as home
and refuge to many people throughout time including
the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida and the
Seminole Tribes and the early Florida settlers. The
Preserve offers many recreational opportunities including
hunting, fishing, off road vehicle use (by permit
only) and bird watching.
Contact Information
By Mail
HCR 61, Box 110
Ochopee, FL 34141
By Phone
Headquarters
239-695-2000
Visitor Information
239-695-1201 By Fax 239-695-3901
Operating Hours & Seasons
The Preserve is open year around, 24 hours
a day. The visitor center is open daily except December
25, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m
Getting There
Plane
Miami International Airport services the area from
the east coast, Ft. Myers International Airport from
the west coast.
Car
I-75, state road 29, and U.S. 41 all travel through
the preserve
Public Transportation
There is no public transportation within the Preserve.
Getting Around The preserve includes
31 miles of the Florida Trail which can be very wet
in the rainy season. The Tree Snail Hammock Nature
Trail is a short, self-guided trail located on Loop
Road. Two scenic drives through the preserve provide
leisurely wildlife viewing. The Loop Road is a 26-mile,
single-lane, unimproved road beginning and ending
on highway 41. Turner River Road and Birdon Road form
a u-shaped, 17-mile graded-dirt drive.
ACTIVITIES
Backpacking, Biking, Bird Watching, Camping, Fishing,
Hiking, Hunting, Interpretive Programs, Kayaking,
Nature Walks, Bicycling, Canoeing, Picnicking
CAMPING
Bear Island
Open All Year
Primitive camping with no water or rest room facilities.Campgrounds
may close seasonally or temporarily for repairs or
resource concerns. Please contact the visitor center
for current campground information.Visitor Center
phone number is 239-695-1201.
Burns Lake
Primitive camping with no water or rest room facilities.
Open from November 15 to January 4 only. Closed the
rest of the year. Campgrounds may close seasonally
or temporarily for repairs or resource concerns. Please
contact the visitor center for current campground
information. Visitor Center phone number is 239-695-1201.
Midway
Primitive camping with no water or rest room facilities.
Open as needed during main visitor use season. Campgrounds
may close seasonally or temporarily for repairs or
resource concerns. Please contact the visitor center
for current campground information. Visitor Center
phone number is 239-695-1201.
Mitchell's Landing
Open All Year
Primitive camping with no water or rest room facilities.
Campgrounds may close seasonally or temporarily for
repairs or resource concerns. Please contact the visitor
center for current campground information. Visitor
Center phone number is 239-695-1201.
Monument Lake
Open All Year
Monument campground has flush toilets and water available.
An outside, cold water shower is also available. The
$14.00 per night fee includes use of the dump station
at Dona Drive in Ochopee. NO HOOKUPS for electricity,
sewer or water are available in any of the National
Park Service campgrounds in the Preserve. Campgrounds
may close seasonally or temporarily for repairs or
resource concerns. Please contact the visitor center
for current campground information. Visitor Center
phone number is 239-695-1201.
Pinecrest
Open All Year
Primitive camping with no water or rest room facilities.
Campgrounds may close seasonally or temporarily for
repairs or resource concerns. Please contact the visitor
center for current campground information. Visitor
Center phone number is 239-695-1201.
VISITOR CENTERS
Big Cypress Visitor Center at Oasis
Open
9:00 am - 4:30 pm Closed December 25
Phone
239-695-1201
Location
On Tamiami Trail (U.S.41) approximately half-way
between Naples and Miami.
Closures
The visitor center is closed on December 25.
Exhibits
The visitor center offers a 15-minute movie about
the preserve, a wildlife exhibit and book sales.
http://www.nps.gov/bicy/home.htm
