In excessive distinction to the expanse of swampy savannas south of Interstate 75, the Florida Path route north of the MM 63 Relaxation Space lets your ft dry out. A bit.
As of November 2025, the thru-trail has shifted to the jap facet of the North Loop. The footpath slips previous three backcountry campsites within the pine flatwoods.
Panther Camp (Chris Stevens)The shorter however blander hike up Nobles Grade, a graded highway utilized by park automobiles, is now blazed white as an alternate route.
Providing a recent tackle beloved Massive Cypress habitats, this shift to footpath for the majority of the hike is bound to please hikers with its magnificence.
Cypress strand crossing (Chris Stevens)Overview
Location: Massive Cypress Nationwide PreserveLength: 11.9 miles linearTrailhead: 26.169781, -81.0717770Restroom: at I-75 North Relaxation AreaLand supervisor: Massive Cypress Nationwide PreservePhone: 239-695-4111
Canines should not permitted. Preserve alert for alligators. Florida panthers have been photographed alongside this stretch of path.
In case you are persevering with north into the Seminole Reservation, you should have a Maintain Innocent kind on file with the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Submit it to them prematurely in response to their instructions.
Obtain and print off a duplicate right here.
Instructions
Boundary gate with Seminole Reservation. Don’t enter with out allow.
Enter by North Gate from I-75 North Relaxation Space parking space
The northern portion of the Florida Path in Massive Cypress Nationwide Protect is accessed by a gate from the north parking space on the Interstate 75 relaxation space at MM 63. The remainder space is between Fort Lauderdale and Naples, 13 miles west of exit 49 (Snake Rd) and 18 miles east of exit 80, SR 29.
Hike
To entry Massive Cypress North, head to the northeast nook of the MM 63 North Relaxation Space parking space.
Open the pedestrian gate and shut it behind you. Head north up the limerock highway, curving previous a facet route right into a small tropical hammock.
North GateReaching a path register, register. Nobles Grade is paralleled by a cypress strand on the left fronted by a canal. Large alligators usually solar alongside this stretch.
By 0.8 mile, attain a double blaze and signage. Reducing 4.5 miles off the route, Nobles Grade is blazed white north of this level. Flip proper to stick with the orange blazes.
Path register (Chris Stevens)Observe the footpath by savannas and pine flatwoods to reap the benefits of three primitive campsites with picnic benches and fireplace rings.
They’re situated 2.6, 5.4, and eight.2 miles north of the North Gate. Add 0.6 miles when you’ve hiked to that gate from the South Gate.
Particulars of this route are offered by mile 9.5 of this counterclockwise loop description.
Massive Cypress North Loop Traverse an enormous mosaic of pinelands, prairies, and cypress swamps on a spectacularly scenic loop alongside the Florida Path developed and maintained by the Florida Path Affiliation.When you attain the higher junction of the loop, proceed alongside the orange blazes on a raised, graded highway.
Pine flatwoods and swamp make up the environment as much as the Massive Cypress Seminole Reservation gate 1.8 miles north.
The Massive Cypress part concludes right here, 11.3 miles north of the North Gate, or 11.9 miles north of the South Gate.
You will need to have a Maintain Innocent kind on file with the Seminole Tribe of Florida earlier than coming into the reservation.
Southbound / Northbound
Florida Path, Massive Cypress South 30.3 miles. Traversing an enormous wilderness within the moist wilds of Massive Cypress Nationwide Protect, the southernmost section of the Florida Path is the hardest backpacking journey in Florida
Florida Path, Seminole Stretching 56.2 miles from the Massive Cypress Seminole Reservation to Lake Okeechobee, the Seminole part crosses an enormous agricultural area, with mountaineering on roads and levees.
Path Map
Discover Extra!
Be taught extra concerning the Massive Cypress part of the Florida Path
Florida Path, Massive Cypress A wild, watery wilderness for Florida backpackers, the 42.2-mile Florida Path in Massive Cypress Nationwide Protect is each lovely and terribly difficult.Video
Mountain climbing the North Loop at Massive Cypress Nationwide Protect
Close by Adventures
Path Map (PDF) Hunt Dates Official Web site
Articles collectively researched, written, and photographed by Sandra Pal & John Keatley, Florida authors and publishers of FloridaHikes.com.
