Hike-in Required
No
Open Year-round
Yes
Guided tours
No
ADA accessible
No
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

Loop Road is a 24-mile scenic drive through the Big Cypress National Preserve. The drive starts through a secluded residential area with a paved road. Once you pass the residential area, the road is more of a dirt road with gravel and rocks. It is surrounded by cypress trees and water on both sides of the road. The road will have wider areas for you to stop and park off to the side to get out of the car and watch for birds and alligators. Please be careful when getting out of the car as the alligators can be on the road or in the water. Vultures are usually stopped on the road while feasting. The road might look the same every time you drive, but the wildlife you see is different depending on the season and the time of day. Mosquitoes are known to come out during the summer months. If you plan on spending much time out of the car, winter is the best time to take the trip becuase the mosquitoes are less active. Fall and spring are okay as well, but you'll want to plan for more bug activity.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Winter
Spring
Fall

Congestion

Low

Parking Pass

Not Required

Pros

Great birdwatching. Alligators. Great views. Trees.

Cons

Mosquitoes in summer.

Pets allowed

Allowed

Features

Hiking
Wildlife
Bird watching
Family friendly

Location

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