Everglades City was a great location to explore the Big Cypress National Preserve. During our last visit to Big Cypress a few years ago, we stayed at the Outdoor Resorts of Chokoloskee, but we were evacuated because of flooding from storm surge. This time, we wanted to try something different and a little bit higher above the water.
Big Cypress National Preserve differs from Everglades National Park in that, when it was established by law in 1974, the Miccosukee, Seminole and Traditional people were provided with permanent rights to occupy and use the land in traditional ways; in addition, they have first rights to develop income-producing businesses related to the resources and use of the preserve, such as guided tours. They and other hunters may use off-road vehicles, and home and business owners have been permitted to keep their properties in the preserve.
