Location: Ochopee
Top Things to do in Ochopee
Countries
The 10 Best Free Things to do in Ochopee, Florida (FL)
Ochopee is an unincorporated community in Collier County, Florida, United States. It is located to the east of the intersection of US 41 and State Road 29, near Carnestown. The community is part of the Naples–Marco Island Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Restaurants in Ochopee
1. Clyde Butcher's Big Cypress Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 157 reviews
Clyde Butcher's Big Cypress Gallery is located along the scenic Tamiami Trail (U.S. 41), 47 miles east of Naples and 36 miles west of Miami at Mile Marker 54.5, about half mile east of the Big Cypress National Preserve Oasis Visitor Center.”To know the swamp you have to get into the swamp.” The gallery offers guided swamp walk tours October-March and Cottage rentals year round.
Reviewed By mmwadventures - Waterville, Ireland
Clyde's photography, the oversized grand fine art prints and the gallery setting are a celebration of this man's passion for a highly overlooked and misunderstood landscape - the Swamp. After we took part in the Clyde Butcher Swamp Walk with Scott the wonderful guide, which you can book ahead of your gallery visit, we were blessed with our very own and unique bond to the swamp which was beautifully introduced to us by our very passionate guide ( a photographer himself with his work on display in the gallery) when walking through knee deep swamp Water. Clyde's impeccable print quality, the details of each photograph and the monochrome nature of his fine art prints offers you a gateway into the unknown world of the swamp in such beautiful and powerful way. His photographs distille the essence and peace of the swamp to its finest. We bought one of his books called " America the Beautiful" - a wonderful connection of different American locations through Clyde's eyes. Highly recommend to pair the gallery visit with a dry or wet swamp walk ( depending of the weather) which starts at the gallery.
2. Big Cypress National Preserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 537 reviews
Land of biological diversity, measuring 729,000 acres, combines a mix of pines, hardwoods, prairies and mangrove forests along with a variety of wildlife including White-tailed deer and Florida panther.
Reviewed By allthegirls2014 - Naples, United States
Just before the rainy season started, I went to check out the Preserve, specifically to drive on the Loop Road, before it became too wet. It was a fabulous afternoon. I stopped to chat with the ranger at the Welcome Center just east of Carniestown for tips and great maps. (It's important to have paper maps, as there is limited cell service within the Preserve) and asked where the gators were hanging out. I continued east on 41, stopped at the Kirby Storter Roadside Park for a nice boardwalk (herons, egrets, turtles) and then moved on to Loop road. The road is not paved except at the far northeastern end. But the drive was amazing. Alligators were everywhere, visible from the car (or you could sneak out to snap a pictures). Lots of birds: egrets, hawks, roseate spoonbills, herons. You can just pull over if you see something interesting. I was driving my sedan, but it would have been better in a taller vehicle. And afterwards, I did have to wash my car, as it definitely looked like I had been off-roading. Kept my phone charged and brought water and snacks. Wonderful drive, fabulous pictures. Highly recommend.
3. Ochopee Post Office
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 287 reviews
Reviewed By Harleyoso - Findlay, United States
It’s really neat to stop at this Post Office because it is the smallest operating post office. You can mail or buy stamps there too! There is always one person there during operating hours. A sign is there telling you the history of it.
4. Loop Road
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 448 reviews
Reviewed By mdgipsy - Baltimore, United States
This was just spectacular. Take your time, take drinks and snacks. Alligators along side the road, lots of birds, even a snake crossing.
5. Oasis Visitor Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 219 reviews
Established in 1974, as America's first national preserve, the site protects over 729,000 acres of a vast freshwater swamp ecosystem, which supports the rich marine estuaries along Florida's southwest coast.
Reviewed By B5023WPmichaelb
This is easily the best of the nature observatories along route 41 between Naples and Miami. In addition to approximately 25 adult alligators that ranged in size up to about 13 ft, there were White Ibis, Great Egrets, Anhingas and a nice mix of native and non-native fish species. The boardwalk is just steps from the parking lot, and you will see wildlife almost immediately. There are clean restrooms and vending machines as well. Definitely worth a stop if you are headed from Miami to Naples or vice versa.
6. H.P. Williams Roadside Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 125 reviews
Reviewed By afrantz5 - Cape Coral, United States
The park is small but my favorite pull off on Route 41, plenty of gators, birds, and nature. Great restroom break if your driving between Miami and Naples..Place is clean, picnic tables, and has small boardwalk
7. Big Cypress Swamp Welcome Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 98 reviews
Reviewed By Mako13Man - Dameron, United States
My Mom and I stopped in here on our way to Key West, coming from Fort Myers. About half way across the Tamiami Trail. Nice place for a family picnic - tables provided. The Welcome Center staff answered many of our questions and were very professional and knowledgeable. Gift store and clean restrooms provided also. Walking along the boardwalk here we saw many birds (Great Blue Herons), turtles, large fish and especially - alligators! And lots of them. Some of them were very large. Nice place to stop at when you just need that break from all the driving!
8. Kirby Storter Roadside Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 70 reviews
Reviewed By allthegirls2014 - Naples, United States
Nice short boardwalk, really well maintained. There were likely alligators at the end, but I didn't spot one. Saw an absolutely stunning great blue heron and lots of turtles. Easy, easy walk for all ages. Maybe children won't love it as it's not enough bang for your buck. Much more likely to see alligators other places. It is a nice place to see the cypresses get larger. At the beginning (top) of the boardwalk the bald cypresses are underfed (soil is less nutritious), so they are much shorter, but as you move down in elevation (imperceptibly), the trees grow much taller.
9. Big Cypress Oasis Visitor Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 28 reviews
Reviewed By 10Tricia - Miami Beach, United States
Short boardwalk with soo many alligators and fish. A must stop along the Tamiami trail. Great for taking photos.
10. Turner River Road
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 28 reviews
Reviewed By scotttimkim - Leola, United States
Tons of birds if you drive slow enough to look. Very dusty road from those going past you fast. Lots to see and the boardwalk at the beginning was nice to stop at.
