Big Cypress National Preserve | BIG CYPRESS PADDLE

Ranger-led canoe trip on the Turner River, Big Cypress National Preserve

Ranger-led canoe trip on the Turner River, Big Cypress National Preserve

Big Cypress National Preserve park Rangers lead Big Cypress Paddles during the tourist season from November through April. Prior to mid-February the trips are usually on the Turner River. After mid-February the water level on Turner River is too low, so all trips will be on Halfway Creek (the National Park Service actually closes Turner River until summer). I happened to get on the very last Turner River tour for the season, February 15th. See the Big Cypress National Preserve’s Ranger-Led Activities web page for a tour schedule and the reservation phone number.

While free, reservations are required for Big Cypress Paddles, and these tours do fill up fast, especially in January and February. If the trip is booked full and you will be in the park on the departure date, it doesn’t hurt to check back the day before to see if anyone cancelled. You might even be able to show up at the Turner River Canoe Launch (the departure point) on the day of the trip just in case of a no-show, but before doing that I would ask a Ranger in advance if this is allowable.

For those who have never been in a canoe or kayak before, or if you don’t have a boat and don’t want to hassle with renting one, the Big Cypress Paddle is certainly worth the time and effort—and you can’t beat the free admission. The pace is very leisurely, and the Ranger stops frequently to tell you about the environment and the plants and animals that you see along the way. Anyone who can move their arms to paddle can do this trip. I believe there are age restrictions as to who can actually use the paddles, but children can ride in the canoe with parents.

The following are photos I took on the paddling tour.

Paddling the canal to Turner River, Big Cypress National Preserve

Paddling the canal to Turner River, Big Cypress National Preserve

Blue Heron on the Turner River, Big Cypress National Preserve

Blue Heron on the Turner River, Big Cypress National Preserve

Great Egret on the Turner River, Big Cypress National Preserve

Great Egret on the Turner River, Big Cypress National Preserve

Pond at the north end of the Turner River, Big Cypress National Preserve

Pond at the north end of the Turner River, Big Cypress National Preserve

Alligator on the Turner River, Big Cypress National Preserve

Alligator on the Turner River, Big Cypress National Preserve

Alligator and egret share the same riverbank, Big Cypress National Preserve

Alligator and egret share the same riverbank, Big Cypress National Preserve

Tight squeeze on the Turner River, Big Cypress National Preserve

Tight squeeze on the Turner River, Big Cypress National Preserve

Paddling through a mangrove tunnel on the Turner River, Big Cypress National Preserve

Paddling through a mangrove tunnel on the Turner River, Big Cypress National Preserve

Small pond on the Turner River, Big Cypress National Preserve

Small pond on the Turner River, Big Cypress National Preserve

Water lily on the Turner River, Big Cypress National Preserve

Water lily on the Turner River, Big Cypress National Preserve

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Last updated on June 9, 2023
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