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. Conserving 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 diverse wildlife, including the Endangered Florida panther.
Current Alerts
- InformationOff Road Vehicle Inspections
ORV renewals & new permits will be issued at the Nathanial P. Reed Visitor Center Friday-Monday, 9am-1:30pm. No permits will be issued Tuesday-Thursday. Permits will be issued first-come first-served. Visit our ORV page for more information
More info → - InformationORV Permits Sold Online
Starting May 1st, 2026 ORV permits will be able to be purchased online. The physical office will remain open for the summer Friday-Monday from 9am-1:30pm. Please click the link to PREVIEW the site until it goes live on May 1st.
More info → - InformationPark 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.
Source: National Park Service.