Cypress trees lining a channel of water.
1-3 Hours

Loop Road Scenic Drive

Big Cypress National Preserve

This 24 mile long drive, on a mostly unpaved gravel road, is a great scenic drive through the cypress swamp. See a variety of plant and wildlife species, while getting a closeup look at the park's namesake cypress trees.

Enjoy the journey, not just the destination! Drive this scenic road, and explore some of the remote areas of the National Preserve. Loop Road, otherwise known as Country Road 94, was created out of a dispute over the official route of the Tamiami Trail. The road is gravel for most of the route. Ask a ranger about the current road conditions before traveling. Loop Road is 24 miles long and is south of the current path of the Tamiami Trail. Visitors will pass through mostly cypress swamps, which are flooded forests in the summer wet season, but mostly dry in teh winter, except for the areas of lowest elevation - the cypress strand. This drive is a great spot to see cypress trees, alligators, wading and water birds, turtles, and snakes.

Tags

Scenic DrivingAnimalsAlligators or CrocodilesBirdsFishTortoises and TurtlesForests and WoodlandsGroundwaterMigrationsNatural SoundsNight SkyScenic ViewsWatershedsWetlandsSwampsWilderness

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Details

Duration

1-3 Hours

Duration Details

Most can complete the drive in around 1 1/2 hours. It is best to block off around 2 hours to complete this scenic drive.

Fees Apply

No

Seasons

Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall

Time of Day

Day, Night, Dawn, Dusk

Accessibility

This road is passable by nearly all street legal vehicles. Larger vehicles may have difficulty navigating the road. There is usually potholes and washerboarding. Everything is viewable from the vehicle.

Pets

No

Reservations

No

Location

Monroe Station, 50910 Tamiami Trail East, Ochopee, FL, 43141

View on NPS.govBack to Big Cypress

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