Top 10 Things to do in Ochopee, Florida (FL)

May 28, 2021 Toi Mattera

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

52388 Tamiami Trl E, Ochopee, FL 34141-2046 +1 239-695-2428 [email protected] http://www.clydebutchersbigcypressgallery.com/home
Excellent
79%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 157 reviews

Clyde Butcher's Big Cypress Gallery

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

33100 Tamiami Trl E, Ochopee, FL 34141-1000 +1 239-695-2000 http://www.nps.gov/bicy
Excellent
69%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 537 reviews

Big Cypress National Preserve

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

75 mi west of Miami 38000 Tamiami Trl E, Ochopee, FL 34141 +1 239-695-2099 http://www.uspspostoffices.com/fl/ochopee/ochopee
Excellent
53%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 287 reviews

Ochopee Post Office

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

Big Cypress National Preserve Ochopee, Ochopee, FL 34141-2083 +1 239-695-1201 http://www.nps.gov/bicy/planyourvisit/scenic-drives.htm
Excellent
67%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 448 reviews

Loop Road

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

52105 Tamiami Trl E, Ochopee, FL 34141-2044 +1 239-695-4111 http://www.nps.gov/bicy/planyourvisit/oasis-visitor-center.htm
Excellent
65%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 219 reviews

Oasis Visitor Center

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

33100 Tamiami Trl E, Ochopee, FL 34141-1000 +1 239-695-2000 http://www.nps.gov/bicy/planyourvisit/hp-williams-roadside-park.htm
Excellent
62%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 125 reviews

H.P. Williams Roadside Park

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

33000 Tamiami Trl E, Ochopee, FL 34141-2083 +1 239-695-4758 http://www.nps.gov/bicy/planyourvisit/big-cypress-swamp-welcome-center.htm
Excellent
58%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 98 reviews

Big Cypress Swamp Welcome Center

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

48900 Tamiami Trl E, Ochopee, FL 34141-2077 +1 239-695-2000 http://www.nps.gov/bicy/planyourvisit/kirby-storter-roadside-park.htm
Excellent
63%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
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Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 70 reviews

Kirby Storter Roadside Park

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

52105 Tamiami Trl E Big Cypress National Preserve, Ochopee, FL 34141-2044 +1 239-695-2000 https://www.nps.gov/bicy/index.htm
Excellent
79%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 28 reviews

Big Cypress Oasis Visitor Center

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. Skunk Ape Research Center

40904 Tamiami Trl E, Ochopee, FL 34141-2004 +1 239-695-2275 http://www.skunkape.info
Excellent
52%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
5%
Terrible
6%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 215 reviews

Skunk Ape Research Center

Reviewed By Really2221 - Naples, United States

One of the best quick places to visit in the Everglades! Fun animal statues and an live animal exhibit in the back of the store BE SURE TO ASK about this or you might miss it! Snakes, Gators, turtles, tortoises, parrots and other exotic birds. Looking into the eyes of the largest python you've ever seen is worth the price of admission.

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