No need to pack your bags and head to the airport to find fun and adventure. There are tons of active things to do in SW Florida!
Sure, follow enough world-travelers on Instagram and you’re almost guaranteed a bad case of wanderlust. But do we really need to travel that far to have a good time? In our own backyard, we have dozens of amazing and fun active day trips—with no TSA pat-down or jetlag required! Click through to gallery to learn more about our favorite Southwest Florida day trips!
FRESH WATER TO THE SEA
What: A day trip to Big Cypress National Preserve
Location: 47 miles east of Naples, Florida
Great for: Fans of pure, wild nature. Expect to see snakes, bugs and gators and to get at least a little bit wet while exploring the swamp.
Why Go: Big Cypress is located in the heart of the Everglades, surrounded by millions of acres of wetlands. It encompasses about 729,000 acres of a freshwater swamp ecosystem.
Must See Attraction: The Big Cypress National Preserve Oasis Visitor Center has interactive interpretive exhibits that help visitors understand the swamp, creatures within it and its historic uses. Spend the day in the park exploring the scenic drive, attending a guided walk, hiking, camping, kayaking or even participating in the “Tamiami Trail Triathlon.”
What to Bring: The free Saturday Swamp Walks are approximately 90-minutes long. Wear old clothes (you’ll get dirty!) long pants, a hat, old shoes and a change of clothes for the ride home. Sunscreen and bug spray are a must.
When: On select Saturdays from October through March you can partake of a Saturday Swamp Walk with Clyde Butcher. Reserve your spot by calling (239) 695-2428.
Did You Know: Gerald Ford, who was the 38th President of the United States, worked as a National Park Ranger at Yellowstone in 1936? He was the only US President to have worked for the National Park Service and in 1974 he designated Big Cypress as the country’s first national preserve.