Grab a few friends and check out this month's featured recreation destination – Big Cypress National Preserve. Big Cypress offers a diverse landscape rich in outdoor adventures and incredible sights, including giant cypress and mangroves, alligators, and possibly even tracks or sightings of the elusive Florida panther!  

The diversity of the land isn't the only feature that stands out at the preserve; the National Park Service also offers a diverse range of activities that other National Parks typically do not allow. Hunting and fishing are allowed at the preserve and are popular activities during this time of year. Off-road vehicle use is also a top activity at the preserve, but not just your standard "off-roading." Big Cypress is known for the swamp buggies, or airboats, that offer a one of a kind expedition through remote areas of the swampland that could never be reached on foot. Big Cypress National Preserve and Everglades National Park also share a common border which delivers memorable paddling (kayaks, canoes, and boards) adventures through dense mangrove forests, crystal-clear channels, and grassy glades. It’s also almost the ideal paddling season, which runs from November through March when the temperature and bugs are more tolerable.

One of our favorite features that makes Big Cypress National Preserve a must-visit fall and winter camping destination is its designation as an International Dark Sky Place. The preserve has one of the last protected night skies where visitors can see thousands of stars with only the naked eye. Big Cypress National Preserve is the first National Park Service Unit east of Colorado to earn this designation. Fall and winter camping offer unparalleled views of the clear, dark night sky, along with the opportunity to participate in ranger-led astronomy programs held at the preserve throughout the winter.

Book a campsite and spend a few days and nights exploring the preserve by land and water. We also highly recommend taking part in the ranger-led hikes, talks, and campfire programs offered daily from November through April. Burns Lake Campground, Midway Campground, Monument Lake Campground, and Pinecrest Group Campground on Recreation.gov provide a range of camping options, with lakeside camping at tent-only sites, campgrounds with flush toilets and fresh water, and RV sites all available for reservation.  

So what are you waiting for? Hike, paddle, or swamp buggy on over to Recreation.gov and plan your trip today!