Big Cypress 15

Dogs Unknown

Features River/Creek · Wildlife

Flat. Empty. Trees. Did I mention no people? This is the best trail running I've come across in South Florida.

Super easy parking just off Alligator Alley adjacent to a rest area (aka "shaded area for stretching and getting ice cream")

For the first few miles on the Blue Trail keep an eye on your footing. Though not a technical trail the "knees" of cypress periodically push up through the ground creating good ankle hazards. This is one good reason to do this trail counterclockwise; you hit these when you are still fresh.

This is a 15-mile loop that has a few additional trails that allow you to extend the run or make it into short loops.

Start off at the gate and follow the canal. Grab a map on the way in or use the Trail Run Project mobile app to guide you. This starts off on the "orange" trail (Florida National Scenic Trail: North Big Cypress Segment). At 0.8 miles, you'll hit the Blue Trail. Take a right onto the Blue Trail which will take you all the way around back to the canal up at the top of the loop. Two additional trails intersect the trail that allow for a bail out or additional mileage. Just stay on the Blue Trail.

Blazes are frequent and obvious. At about 10 miles, you'll reconnect with the Florida National Scenic Trail: North Big Cypress Segment. Take a left and follow it back to the trailhead. This section of the run can be a bit overgrown, especially early in the season (Oct/Nov) but is the best nature I have found since moving here. It'll be super wet if done in the summer.

If you are looking for some nature and want a good straight away, or to run this area in the summer, just stick along the canal. It is still a beautiful stretch.

Gators (shocker), snakes (shocker), lots of birds and a couple of turtles.