National Preserve · Florida

Trails in Big Cypress National Preserve

70 named trails · 464 miles · 4 trailheads · 2 with the Park Service's own write-up. The lines, trailheads and points are the Park Service's; the write-ups are the Service's own words; the climbing is read from USGS elevation along each line.

Open on the parks map Every park with trails Park on nps.gov

70 trails, A to Z.

Bamboos

4.0 mi one way · 9 ft–11 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Bear Island Grade

3.7 mi one way · 13 ft–16 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

BIU 4

1.0 mi one way · 14 ft–15 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Boot Hill West

5.5 mi one way · 8 ft–11 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Boundary Line

7.9 mi one way · 2 ft–6 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Buckskin

11 mi one way · 7 ft–11 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Burns Lake North

5.0 mi one way · 7 ft–8 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Burns Lake South

4.3 mi one way · 4 ft–6 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

CDU Oasis

12 mi one way · about 40 ft of climbing · 6 ft–31 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

CDU Rock Road

9.7 mi one way · 6 ft–7 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Concho Billie Trail

27 mi one way · 6 ft–13 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Fennell Camp

6.0 mi one way · 6 ft–8 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Fire Prairie East Trail

2.6 mi one way · 10 ft–12 ft · hiking

Trailhead Fire Prarie Trailhead 12 ft Drive there

On the parks map

Florida National Scenic Trail

1.9 mi one way · 13 ft–13 ft · hiking

Florida National Scenic Trail the Park Service's write-up

2-5 Days · no dogs

Start 52105 Tamiami Trail East, Ochopee, FL 34141 (southern terminus), 1400 Fort Pickens Rd, Pensacola Beach, FL 32561 (northern terminus)

A backpacker crosses over a bridge with poles in hand. — Backpacker on the Florida Trail. Photo: NPS Photo/Kiss

The Florida National Scenic Trail stretches about 1,400 miles from Gulf Islands National Seashore to Big Cypress National Preserve. The southernmost section of the trail is within the National Preserve. The southern terminus of the trail begins at the Oasis Visitor Center and stretches northward for approximately 36 miles to the Preserve's northern border. The northernmost section of the trail is within Gulf Islands National Seashore. It begins at Fort Pickens and runs parallel to the coastline for 7 miles before exiting the park, then reentering in the Santa Rosa area of the National Seashore for another 7 miles.

The trail passes through a variety of habitat types including beaches, hardwood hammocks, pinelands, prairies and cypress. Beyond the National Preserve boundary the trail is limited to a small number of hikers who are members of the Florida Trail Association per month traveling through the Seminole Reservation.

There are several backcountry campsites located along the trail. Backcountry permits are required to camp at these sites.

During the dry season (November-April), there may be very little to no water along the trail. Hikers need to pack in their own water.

This trail is moderately strenuous. Footing can be difficult and during the rainy season, the trail can be heavily vegetated and overgrown. Portions of the trail can be under water at certain times of year. Water can be as deep as 3 to 4 feet.

Several portions of the trail require hiking along the highway, up to 40 miles or more depending on the route chosen by the traveler. There are two sections where hikers may take an east or west route depending on personal preference and hiking ability. Be prepared with permits and clothing for drastic changes in temperature and weather pattern.

Accessibility This is a moderately strenuous hike. Hikers should be in good health and experienced in hiking in southern and northern Florida. Do not attempt if you have any underlying health conditions or limited mobility.

This hike on nps.gov

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Florida National Scenic Trail Byway

1.6 mi one way · 13 ft–13 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Florida Trail (North)

14 mi one way · 10 ft–13 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Gator Hook Trail

2.3 mi one way · 6 ft–7 ft · hiking

Trailhead Gator Hook Trailhead 6 ft Drive there

Gator Hook Trail the Park Service's write-up

2-4 Hours · no dogs

Start Gator Hook Trailhead - Loop Road

Cypress trees surrounding a pool of water. Air plants can be seen on cypress trees — Gator Hook Trail

Exploring the swamp requires getting your feet wet. The five-mile roundtrip Gator Hook Trail offers such an opportunity. The trail begins along an elevated logging tram, but soon enters ankle to knee-deep water. For some, the water may rise to hip height. This scenic, moderately strenous hike, is unlike any other in Big Cypress National Preserve. You will become immersed in the resource (literally and figuratively), and experience something that very few visitors do - a wet hike through the cypress swamp.

Accessibility This trail is a moderately strenuous hike which involves hiking through several inches to 4 feet of water. Individuals who attempt this trail should be in good health and highly mobile. Footing can be uneven in spots where the water has dissolved the limestone. Visitors should use care when walking across the exposed limestone as it can be uneven and slippery. Hiking poles or walking sticks are suggested and sturdy footwear.

This hike on nps.gov

On the parks map

Halfway Creek

7.2 mi one way · about 50 ft of climbing · 0 ft–29 ft · water surface · motorized

Boat launches

Along the way Seagrape Drive Boat Launch

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Hard Rock Trail

2.9 mi one way · 13 ft–16 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Harold Strand Trail

3.0 mi one way · 14 ft–14 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Hess Hammock

4.5 mi one way · 2 ft–5 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Jet Port

6.6 mi one way · 3 ft–6 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Land H Trail

1.4 mi one way · 9 ft–10 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Left Hand Skillet

1.7 mi one way · 6 ft–6 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Little Deer

4.9 mi one way · 10 ft–13 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Lost Dog 1

6.1 mi one way · 7 ft–15 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Lost Dog 2

2.1 mi one way · 10 ft–12 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Monroe North

2.5 mi one way · 5 ft–8 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Monroe South

5.8 mi one way · 2 ft–6 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Monument

10 mi one way · 7 ft–10 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Monument Bypass

3.4 mi one way · 7 ft–8 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Mud Lake

7.5 mi one way · 10 ft–12 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Mud Lake Bypass

1.2 mi one way · 12 ft–12 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

North Little Deer

2.8 mi one way · 11 ft–13 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

North Raccoon Point

6.8 mi one way · 6 ft–11 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Oasis TRU

7.2 mi one way · 8 ft–11 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Pace's Dike

3.2 mi one way · 2 ft–6 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Perocchi Grade

3.3 mi one way · 13 ft–15 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Pipeline ORV Trail

0.9 mi one way · 6 ft–6 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Plains Trail

1.0 mi one way · 14 ft–14 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Poppenhager

3.7 mi one way · 8 ft–8 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Raccoon Point CDU

9.9 mi one way · 7 ft–12 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Raccoon Point TRU

2.9 mi one way · 11 ft–13 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Raccoon Point West Off Road Trail

3.8 mi one way · 6 ft–8 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Red Bird Lane

22 mi one way · 0 ft–7 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Red Bird Return

0.5 mi one way · 6 ft–7 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Ridge Trail

5.2 mi one way · 13 ft–15 ft · hiking

Backcountry camps

Along the way Gator Head

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Roberts Lakes Trail

7.8 mi one way · 6 ft–9 ft · hiking

Backcountry camps

Along the way Robert's Lake Campsite

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Rock Road Bypass

1.1 mi one way · 6 ft–6 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Sandy Road

7.2 mi one way · 5 ft–8 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Skillet North

5.9 mi one way · 5 ft–8 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Stump Camp Trail

3.1 mi one way · 10 ft–12 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Windmill Trail

2.4 mi one way · 14 ft–15 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Windmill Tram

3.2 mi one way · 5 ft–7 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Z4 Need Name 10

0.8 mi one way · 3 ft–4 ft · hiking

Backcountry camps

Along the way Campsite 2

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Z4 Need Name 11

0.8 mi one way · 3 ft–3 ft · hiking

Backcountry camps

Along the way Campsite 3

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Z4 Need Name 12

0.2 mi one way · 3 ft–3 ft · hiking

Backcountry camps

Along the way Campsite 4

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Z4 Need Name 13

0.1 mi one way · 3 ft–3 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Z4 Need Name 14

0.3 mi one way · 3 ft–3 ft · hiking

Backcountry camps

Along the way Campsite 10

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Z4 Need Name 15

2.1 mi one way · 2 ft–3 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Z4 Need Name 16

0.5 mi one way · 1 ft–2 ft · hiking

Backcountry camps

Along the way Campsite 12 Campsite 13

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Z4 Need Name 17

0.1 mi one way · 1 ft–1 ft · hiking

Backcountry camps

Along the way Campsite 15

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Z4 Need Name 18

0.2 mi one way · 1 ft–1 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Z4 Need Name 19

0.9 mi one way · 1 ft–5 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Z4 Need Name 20

1.2 mi one way · 1 ft–2 ft · hiking

Backcountry camps

Along the way Campsite 16

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Z4 Need Name 4

6.6 mi one way · 0 ft–2 ft · hiking

Backcountry camps

Along the way Campsite 14

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Z4 Need Name 5

5.5 mi one way · 0 ft–2 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Z4 Need Name 6

1.7 mi one way · 0 ft–2 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Z4 Need Name 8

1.5 mi one way · 3 ft–6 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Z4 Need Name 9

0.2 mi one way · 4 ft–4 ft · hiking

Backcountry camps

Along the way Campsite 1

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

546 more mapped segments without a name are on the map, not in the list.

More hikes the Park Service describes

Write-ups that name no single mapped trail, in the Service's words.

Fire Prairie Trail · 1-3 Hours · no dogs
This five-mile long out and back trail is a great way to see the sawgrass prairies of Big Cypress National Preserve. Good for all skill levels, this trail provides unique viewing areas of some of the more elusive wildlife here. Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and a hat.
Kirby Storter Roadside Park · 15-60 Minutes · no dogs
This immersive boardwalk will take you into a cypress strand. Good for the whole family, this boardwalk is open daily from an hour before sunrise until an hour after sunset.
The Deep Lake Trail · 30-90 Minutes · no dogs
This one-mile moderate hike to Deep Lake is a unique experiences. Deep Lake is over 95 feet deep, and the deepest lake in south Florida. Leave yourself about an hour to complete the trail. During the wet season (May-October) the trail can be wet and muddy.

About these trails

The lines are the National Park Service's public trails layer, the trailheads and the waterfalls, views, peaks and historic places along them the Service's public points of interest, read 2026-10-14 and simplified for the map. The write-ups are the Service's own "things to do", unedited. Heights come from USGS 3DEP through Terrain Tiles on AWS (Mapzen/Tilezen), read along each line and rounded; a short trail on steep ground can be off by a few tens of feet. Closures change: check the park's own site before you go.