<p>On this self-guided accessible tour, you will have the opportunity to discover a unique natural environment: southern Florida’s Big Cypress National Preserve. Stretching over 2900 km² (720,000 acres), the park contains 5 natural habitats, all of which are home to different species of flora and fauna. One such habitat is the hardwood ‘hammocks’, slightly elevated areas of woodland which look similar to tropical forests due to the presence of ferns and vines. The hammocks are also frequented by the Florida panther, a subspecies of the cougar. Other habitats include the prairie, the swamps, the pinelands and the estuaries, the last of which provides a sheltered environment where marine mammals such as dolphins and manatees can give birth to their young. During your self-guided tour, you will have time to explore the park and to feel in touch with the natural environment. You can hike on some of the well-marked trails and bring binoculars to spot birds. Visitors exploring the park after dark may be able to see a spectacular night sky filled with stars, as the park is situated in an area of extremely low light pollution. Big Cypress National Preserve is adapted to accommodate guests with disabilities. The park has smooth boardwalks that can easily be navigated in a wheelchair and the bathroom facilities and visitor centers are wheelchair-accessible. In addition, guests with hearing impairments can pick up informational guides from the visitor center. There are also boards situated throughout the park with illustrations and text about the park’s natural and cultural features.</p>

A heron-like black bird sits on a tree branch.

One of the park's visitor centers, accessible via a smooth paved road.

A close-up of a large butterfly that is native to the park, spreading its wings on a leaf.

One of the park's boardwalks through a swamp, with railings on either side of the boardwalk.

A close-up of an alligator swimming on the surface of the water.

A sunset in the park, with the silhouette of trees against an orange sky.

A covered picnic table in the park, seen at sunset with an orange and blue sky.

The park at night, with many stars visible in the sky.

Two birds flying through the marshy swamps.

The estuary habitat, with mangrove trees rooted in shallow water.

Accessible Activity: Big Cypress National Preserve

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