Big Cypress National Preserve Custom Search The 729,000 acre Big Cypress National Preserve was set aside in 1974 to ensure the preservation, conservation, and protection of the natural scenic, floral and faunal, and recreational values of the Big Cypress Watershed. The importance of this watershed to the Everglades National Park was a major consideration for its establishment. The name Big Cypress refers to the large size of this area. Vast expanses of cypress strands span this unique landscape.   CONTACTS Email - sandy_snell-dobert@nps.gov Fax- 941-695-3007 Write to HCR 61, Box 110 Ochopee, FL 33141 Phone Headquarters - 941-695-2000 Visitor Information Recorded Message - 941-695-4111 TRAVEL BASICS Operating Hours, Seasons 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. Weather & Climate The climate is sub-tropical, with mild winters and hot, wet summers. Light weight clothing is suggested for hot temperatures. Long sleeves, pants, sturdy shoes, and bug repellent will make hiking more pleasant. Accessibility The visitor center's entrance is accessible with assistance pending installation of accessible doors. Inside the visitor center, restrooms, information desk, and preserve film are accessible. The film is also captioned for the hearing impaired. 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. CAMPING Bear Island Open All Year Primitive camping with no water or rest room facilities Midway Primitive camping with no water or rest room facilities. Open as needed during main visitor use season. Call 941-695-4111 for information. Mitchell's Landing Open All Year Primitive camping with no water or rest room facilities Monument Open All Year Monument campground has flush toilets and water available. An outside, cold water shower is also available. The 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. Pinecrest Open All Year Primitive camping with no water or rest room facilities LODGING Various small motels and campgrounds Several small motels and private campgrounds can be found around the Everglades City and Ochopee areas. FACILITIES Visitor Centers VISITOR CENTER Open All Year 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Phone - 941-695-4111 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   Map Detailed Map Contact Info Phone, Email, Address, GPS coordinates Campgrounds Nearby List of Nearby Campgrounds Weather Local weather forecast These outdoors activities are available near Big Cypress National Preserve.   Campgrounds Near Big Cypress National Preserve: Little Farm Mobile Court, Miami, 8 miles away C.b. Smith Park, Hollywood, 8 miles away Oleta River State Park, North Miami Beach, 9 miles away Grice's Trailer Park, Hollywood, 10 miles away Embassy RV Park, Hallandale, 10 miles away Holiday Park, Hallandale, 10 miles away Trinity Towers RV Park, Hollywood, 10 miles away   Marinas Near Big Cypress National Preserve: Fandino Marina, Hialeah , 2 miles away Marina Plata, Doral , 6 miles away Hurricane Cove Marina, Miami , 8 miles away North Beach Marina, Miami , 8 miles away Quayside Marina, Miami , 8 miles away   Hotels Near Big Cypress National Preserve: Shulas Hotel and Golf Club, Miami Lakes , 2 miles away Holiday Inn Miami-Hialeah (Miami Lakes), F, Hialeah , 2 miles away Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites MIAMI-HIALEAH (MIAMI LAKES), Hialeah , 2 miles away Hotel Indigo MIAMI LAKES, Miami Lakes , 3 miles away Ramada Miami Airport North, Hialeah , 3 miles away Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel - Miami Airport, Hialeah Gardens , 3 miles away Courtyard Miami Lakes, Miami Lakes , 3 miles away   Beaches Near Big Cypress National Preserve: Haulover Beach, Miami-Dade County , 12 miles away Virginia Beach, Miami-Dade County , 13 miles away Hollywood Beach, Broward County , 15 miles away   Public Lands Near Big Cypress National Preserve: Biscayne National Park, Homestead - FL , 27 miles away Everglades National Park, Homestead - FL , 31 miles away Oleta River State Recreation Area, Florida , 10 miles away The Barnacle Historic State Site, Florida , 11 miles away Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, Florida , 16 miles away John U. Lloyd Beach State Park, Florida , 17 miles away   Golf Courses Near Big Cypress National Preserve: Normandy Shores Golf Course, Miami Beach , 0 miles away Don Shulas Golf Club, Hialeah , 3 miles away Golfside Villas, Hialeah , 3 miles away Westview Country Club, Miami , 3 miles away Country Club Of Miami, Hialeah , 4 miles away