Big Cypress National Preserve

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. 

The Nathaniel P. Reed Visitor Center, located 20 miles east of the Naples, is an interagency center for all public lands within the Big Cypress Swamp. There are indoor and outdoor exhibits, educational materials, and an introductory film to the swamp and its recreational opportunities. National Park Service staff are available to assist visitors with information about available activities, maps, ranger-led tours, exhibits, permits and more. A Florida National Parks Association bookstore and gift shop are located within the Visitor Center and, public restrooms are available. There is also a boardwalk for wildlife viewing behind the center.