With drier loops for day hikes and backpacking, the northern portion of Big Cypress National Preserve offers a contrast to the often-soggy southernmost 30 miles of the Florida Trail.
Accessed via a remote highway rest area, this well-marked trail system leads into iconic South Florida landscapes teeming with wildlife.
Florida TrailAfter the Florida Trail passes northbound under Interstate 75, it was historically blazed along Nobles Grade, a limerock road north into the Big Cypress Reservation.
A blue-blazed loop off it was constructed over time, featuring a trio of backcountry campsites that made for an excellent overnight backpacking destination.
Nobles GradeIn November of 2025, this side trail was blazed orange, becoming an official section of the Florida Trail, while the former route was blazed white.
The North Loop is intersected by two cross trails, providing options for a variety of routes for day hikes and overnighters.
Along the loop, four designated campsites provide destinations for overnight and long-distance hikers, free of charge.
Carpenter CampResources
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Overview
Location: Big Cypress National Preserve
Length: 14.9 miles
Trailhead: 26.169639, -81.072583
Fees: Free
Restrooms: at I-75 North Rest Area
Land manager: Big Cypress National Preserve
Phone: 239-695-4111
Dogs are not permitted. Sun and insect protection is recommended.
Sections of the trail are seasonally underwater. Give the large alligators in the canal along Nobles Rd a wide berth.
Hunting occurs throughout the preserve. Check in advance regarding scheduled hunts and wear bright orange if choosing to hike during hunts.
Directions
The northern portion of the Florida Trail in Big Cypress National Preserve is accessed through a gate from the north parking area at the Interstate 75 rest area at MM 63. The rest area is between Fort Lauderdale and Naples, 13 miles west of exit 49 (Snake Rd) and 18 miles east of exit 80, SR 29.
Hike
Exit the northeast corner of the rest area parking area to begin the hike at a tall fence meant to keep wildlife inside the preserve.
Pass through a chain link gate, following orange blazes northward along a rocky access road.
Trailhead gateIn less than a quarter mile, the trail passes a map kiosk where hikers are prompted to sign in at the trail register.
A forest of bald cypress borders the path as it climbs onto Nobles Grade, an elevated road paralleling a canal filled with tannic water.
The canal first marks the edge of a cypress strandDespite its swampy surroundings, this doubletrack trail typically remains dry, aside from mud puddles that can be slippery after recent rains.
Turn right at 0.8 mile, where a sign indicates the direction of the Florida Trail as it heads eastward into a lush pineland community.
Turn off Nobles GradeThe trail follows a raised berm for the first mile before descending onto the natural forest floor where the potential for water on the path increases.
Cypress domes rise in the distance. A mowed corridor weaves through clusters of saw palmettos and across grassy clearings, reaching the first backpacking campsite at 2.6 miles.
Grassy savannaCarpenter Camp sits near the edge of a wet prairie, furnished with a metal picnic table and fire ring.
From this point, the trail bends eastward, cutting though upland islands dotted with slash pine and cabbage palms, passing a junction with the Red Trail near the 3 mile mark.
Turn left here for the shortest loop hike, following red blazes to Nobles Grade and back to the trailhead for a total trip of 7.4 miles.
Pine flatwoodsAt 3.9 miles, the Yellow Trail provides another cross route to Nobles Grade for an 8.5 mile hike.
Continue along the orange blazed Florida Trail for another 1.5 miles to Panther Camp, a cozy site nestled under a stand of pines.
The trail takes a sharp turn to the left in a tenth of a mile, climbing onto another berm as it begins to curve westward.
Panther CampTraveling atop the berm offers a slightly elevated view of the surrounding landscape and an opportunity for footwear to dry out for the remainder of the hike.
At 8.2 miles, the trail passes CCC Camp and a convenient bench for a rest stop near the halfway point.
On the bermContinuing west, the path winds across cypress strands where gaps in trailside vegetation provide windows into a swampy world of ferns, bromeliads, and orchids.
Reaching Nobles Grade at 9.5 miles, turn left to leave the Florida Trail, following white blazes southward.
Cypress strand crossingIn 0.8 mile, pass Nobles Camp, a spacious campsite at the end of an old air strip.
In addition to a large tenting area, this site has a picnic table and fire ring set under a shady oak hammock.
Beyond the campsite, white blazes indicate a sharp turn to the left, where the trail joins the raised limestone road.
Nobles CampParalleling the road, a long canal provides a home to large alligators which can often be seen sunning along the edges.
This stretch of trail offers picturesque views of prairies edged by primordial wetlands covered in dense stands of cypress.
Canal alongside Nobles GradeFollow white blazes south, passing the Yellow and Red cross trails before returning to the orange blazes near the 14 mile mark.
Continue south on the Florida Trail another 0.8 mile to the trailhead, being sure to sign out at the trail register before leaving.
Signage at the Yellow TrailTrail Map
Explore More!
Learn more about Big Cypress National Preserve
Big Cypress National Preserve Protecting nearly three quarters of the million-acre Big Cypress Swamp, Big Cypress National Preserve is Florida's second largest and most remote wilderness. 
Florida Trail, Big Cypress A wild, watery wilderness for Florida backpackers, the 42.2-mile Florida Trail in Big Cypress National Preserve is both beautiful and extraordinarily challenging.Video
Hiking the North Loop at Big Cypress National Preserve
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