Boardwalk leads to a Cypress swamp at Kirby Storter Roadside Park, Big Cypress National Preserve
See the Picnic Areas web page for an interactive location map.
The Kirby Storter Roadside Park at Big Cypress National Preserve was named after one of the engineers in charge of constructing the Tamiami Trail back in the 1920s. Four picnic tables, all under canopies, located in the parking area. There are no grills. A restroom facility—pit toilet enclosed in a building—is available as well. There is no running water.
Picnic tables at Kirby Storter Roadside Park, Big Cypress National Preserve
A boardwalk trail takes visitors on a short, .4-mile (.8-mile, round trip) walk through the grasslands and into the Cypress swamp. At the end is an observation deck for viewing wildlife. During the winter the surrounding swamp is dry except for a gator hole at the end of the boardwalk. Animals congregate in these rare wet areas, thus making it easy for tourists to find them. In contrast, during the wet season (summer) when most of the park is underwater, the animals can fan out over the 700,000+ acres of Big Cypress National Preserve. I saw two small alligators and a number of birds from the observation deck. Plan to spend about a half hour for the trip.
Cypress swamp at Kirby Storter Roadside Park at Big Cypress National Preserve
Cypress swamp during the wet season at Kirby Storter Roadside Park, Big Cypress National Preserve
Alligator at Kirby Storter Roadside Park at Big Cypress National Preserve
Alligator at Kirby Storter Roadside Park at Big Cypress National Preserve
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Last updated on June 14, 2023
