The Big Cypress Wilderness is a vast and diverse ecosystem in southern Florida, home to a variety of plant and animal species.
Loop Road is a scenic drive that winds through the heart of the Big Cypress National Preserve. This 26-mile gravel road offers visitors a chance to see wildlife, cypress swamps, and pine forests up close. Many visitors enjoy hiking, birdwatching, and photography along Loop Road.
The Clyde Butcher Gallery showcases the stunning black-and-white landscape photography of renowned artist Clyde Butcher. Located in the heart of the Big Cypress National Preserve, the gallery features large-format prints of the Everglades, swamps, and other natural wonders of South Florida.
The Kirby Storter Boardwalk is a popular spot for visitors to explore the cypress swamp ecosystem of Big Cypress. This elevated boardwalk provides a close-up view of the diverse plant and animal life that thrives in the wetlands. Visitors can also learn about the history and ecology of the area through interpretive signs along the boardwalk.
The Big Cypress Swamp Welcome Center serves as a gateway to the Big Cypress National Preserve. Here, visitors can learn about the unique ecosystems of the area, pick up trail maps and information, and browse exhibits on the plants and animals that call Big Cypress home. The center also offers ranger-led programs and guided tours of the preserve.
Bear Island Campground is a popular camping destination within the Big Cypress National Preserve. Situated on the edge of a cypress dome, the campground offers tent and RV sites, as well as access to hiking trails, canoeing, and wildlife viewing opportunities. Campers can enjoy the peaceful surroundings of the swamp while being surrounded by nature.
Description: The Timbered Crater Wilderness Study Area is an outstanding showcase for the geology of extinct volcanic craters. The alternating depressions and buttes are dominated by a 500-foot butte at the rim of the crater. The crater provides the only northeastern California habitat for the Baker cypress tree. Because Timbered Crater lies at the junction of the Great Basin and Cascade Mountains ecosystems, there is a unique blend of desert and mountain plant communities. Vegetation ranges from pine, western juniper and Oregon white oak to desert plants such as big sagebrush, needle grass, and blue grass. www.blm.gov/visit/timbered-crater-wilderness-study-area Photo by Jesse Pluim, BLM
Image by blmcalifornia – Public domain – Wikimedia
Description: The Timbered Crater Wilderness Study Area is an outstanding showcase for the geology of extinct volcanic craters. The alternating depressions and buttes are dominated by a 500-foot butte at the rim of the crater. The crater provides the only northeastern California habitat for the Baker cypress tree. Because Timbered Crater lies at the junction of the Great Basin and Cascade Mountains ecosystems, there is a unique blend of desert and mountain plant communities. Vegetation ranges from pine, western juniper and Oregon white oak to desert plants such as big sagebrush, needle grass, and blue grass. www.blm.gov/visit/timbered-crater-wilderness-study-area Photo by Jesse Pluim, BLM
Image by blmcalifornia – Public domain – Wikimedia
Description: The Timbered Crater Wilderness Study Area is an outstanding showcase for the geology of extinct volcanic craters. The alternating depressions and buttes are dominated by a 500-foot butte at the rim of the crater. The crater provides the only northeastern California habitat for the Baker cypress tree. Because Timbered Crater lies at the junction of the Great Basin and Cascade Mountains ecosystems, there is a unique blend of desert and mountain plant communities. Vegetation ranges from pine, western juniper and Oregon white oak to desert plants such as big sagebrush, needle grass, and blue grass. www.blm.gov/visit/timbered-crater-wilderness-study-area Photo by Jesse Pluim, BLM
Image by blmcalifornia – Public domain – Wikimedia