Loop Road
Loop Road
4.5
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Duration: 2-3 hours
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- Sharon P12 contributionsWalked Loop RoadUnfortunately Loop Road was closed due to flooding so we ended up walking 3 miles. We saw several gators. One sunning in the road so we had to walk around him. Saw several Anhinga, enjoyed watching their unusual perching. Good way to see the Everglades.Visited November 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten November 24, 2023
- Linda S4 contributionsGreat way to see alligators close up. And it's free.This is an interesting 24 mile ride. Note -- if you enter from the west, the first few miles of the road are in terrible condition. The potholes are huge and there are lots of them. We almost gave up and turned around. Happy we didn't as the road quickly smoothed out. We saw 39 + alligators and lots of birds. It's great to get close photos of the gators without putting yourself in harm's way. Lots of them seem to sun themselves right beside the road so you can take pictures from your car. The scenery is lush and beautiful and the water in the pools is very clear. There were bromiliads in bloom all over the cypress trees. It took a little over 2 hrs because we stopped so many times.Visited March 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten March 26, 2024
- Dave MHemel Hempstead, United Kingdom160 contributionsGreat way to see Gators and moreWe did the loop road, and it was great. It's nature, so nothing is guaranteed. A paved and mostly unpaved road off the highway brings you up close to nature. The waters next to the road were littered with gators. Much better for photos than in Shark Valley. Drive slow and keep a watch out.Visited April 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten April 21, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Darkwing28
Pelham, Canada389 contributions
Mar 2020
We took this road based on reviews and it was horrible.
There was nothing to see by car and a majority of the road is gravel.
We had just done the tram tour so we had that positive experience.
The worst thing was that once we were driving down the road we were committed to it. It took over an hour just because you can't drive that fast.
The road is so narrow you can't really pull over to get out and look at anything anyway and there may have been a couple of areas where you could get out but honestly I just wanted to get out of there.
There was nothing to see by car and a majority of the road is gravel.
We had just done the tram tour so we had that positive experience.
The worst thing was that once we were driving down the road we were committed to it. It took over an hour just because you can't drive that fast.
The road is so narrow you can't really pull over to get out and look at anything anyway and there may have been a couple of areas where you could get out but honestly I just wanted to get out of there.
Written March 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DisneyDarwin
Spring, TX1,154 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
There are countless stops and hikes you can do to take in the Everglades. But, if you want the best of everything in one dose, then drive the loop road that runs from near Shark Valley back to Monument Lake. We drove from the Shark Valley end, and the first several miles are paved before it turns into an easy gravel road. There are tons of ponds, wetlands and forest where you will see so much wildlife. All the birds of the Everglades, frogs, lizards, snakes, and so many gators. Gator,s swimming, gators sunning here and there, gator, eyes staring at you from the water, and lots of road gators - right beside the road! You can see tons right from your car, but you will notice even more if you stop and get out of the few of the more scenic nooks along the way. There aren’t a lot of pullouts, but people were stopping on the side of the road whenever there was something to see. Everglades in a nutshell, give it a try.
Written June 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kelly B
Iowa5,612 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
Although the Shark Valley tram tour was really neat too, this was my favorite thing we did in the Everglades area.
We started the loop from the entrance nearest Shark Valley. The first few miles were paved, through residential areas, and not too exciting.
The excitement began when we hit the gravel road. Absolutely beautiful, with cypress balds and so much swamp. We pulled over at most of the culverts, and usually saw gators. We saw thirteen total! A few literally right below us in the water. We also saw several egrets and other types of birds.
There aren’t really any marked places to pull off the road; you just stop where you want and pull over to park.
We drove it in our rental sedan, which obviously didn’t have four wheel drive or high clearance. It got really muddy, but otherwise was fine. There were some huge water filled potholes. It is bumpy. I’m not sure I would recommend this drive to people who don’t have any experience driving on gravel. We did see a piece of someone’s car lying in the road at one point.
It took us about 3 hours with numerous stops. Absolutely worth it.
We started the loop from the entrance nearest Shark Valley. The first few miles were paved, through residential areas, and not too exciting.
The excitement began when we hit the gravel road. Absolutely beautiful, with cypress balds and so much swamp. We pulled over at most of the culverts, and usually saw gators. We saw thirteen total! A few literally right below us in the water. We also saw several egrets and other types of birds.
There aren’t really any marked places to pull off the road; you just stop where you want and pull over to park.
We drove it in our rental sedan, which obviously didn’t have four wheel drive or high clearance. It got really muddy, but otherwise was fine. There were some huge water filled potholes. It is bumpy. I’m not sure I would recommend this drive to people who don’t have any experience driving on gravel. We did see a piece of someone’s car lying in the road at one point.
It took us about 3 hours with numerous stops. Absolutely worth it.
Written September 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Krzys.Seweryn
Schaumburg, IL407 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
Great way to explore true Florida without any restrictions. Need to have a off road 4x4 car. We took this trip from Fort Myers to Key West and loop road will add extra 45minutes to your total time. It’s very bumpy but well worth it. You will experience nature in they best version all the Florida species in one spot. Watch for alligators, crocodiles, panthers they like to lay down on the road.
One of the best attraction for our kids
One of the best attraction for our kids
Written August 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GrumpyandtheOldLady
New York City, NY652 contributions
May 2021
Reading the reviews on the Loop Road of Big Cypress National Preserve, we were a bit concerned if our rental car could handle it. When we arrived, we found the road to be in much better condition than we ever expected. It was paved in areas and had plenty of gravel in the others. We had absolutely no issues. The Loop Road was a slice of Old Florida. It is scenic as anything and you will have plenty of opportunities to take photos of animals and nature. For those of you collecting National Park Passport Stamps or Junior Ranger Badges, Big Cypress has both. In fact. the Everglades Junior Ranger book covers both parks so you only need to complete it once and you get two badges as long as you go to both parks' visitor centers.
Written June 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
387indy
Coral Springs, FL4,369 contributions
Oct 2021
Loop Road for bird watchers & wildlife. This quiet dirt byway is a 24 mile detour off Tamiami Trail. It's mostly cypress swamp, with lots of birds, hawks, wild hogs, egrets, and alligators.
Written October 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Raj@2019
Shrewsbury, MA35 contributions
Dec 2022
The best way to see the habitat LIVE with no crowds. A long slow drive we found many, many alligators and other birds enjoying the sun and waterways. A must if you can spend a few hours.
Written December 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
greglagant
Compiegne, France1,061 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
The Loop road is a dirt road that winds through the Everglades. We did it on a very sunny day after two days of low temperatures which certainly explains the large number of alligators basking in the sun on the side of the road!
We also saw a lot of birds, a magnificent walk!
with many beautiful photos, see attached.
We also saw a lot of birds, a magnificent walk!
with many beautiful photos, see attached.
Written January 14, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DoxieGal58
Miami, FL219 contributions
Jan 2020
The loop road goes through various habitats of the Everglades. Take your time to fully take in the details, look for wildlife, and appreciate the natural beauty. My favorite spot is Sweetwater Strand as there are usually several herons and egrets in the area. It's a great area for photos.
Written January 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mike h
Palm Coast, FL87 contributions
Mar 2020
This was a great relaxing drive; I entered from the Monroe Station west end. The first 16 miles are gravel road and while rough at times it is very drivable. I was on a Harley trike and had no trouble however it was dusty when someone from the other side came by at a rather fast pace. Be sure and stop at the small bridge areas and get out and stand by the road, you will see some alligators and several birds. We saw an owl dive down to try and get a squirrel. You will also see alligators sunning along the side of the road. This is a free way to see alligators in a natural setting. Take time and enjoy the everglades.
Written March 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yes, it is a public (county?) maintained gravel road although it does get pretty dusty if vehicle are driving fast. You can find it on google maps and I would recommend going in the East end just west of Shark Valley. Google Loop Road Ochopee FL.
Written May 23, 2017
Ciao, sarò alle Everglades a fine giugno e mi chiedevo se, dato che è stagione delle piogge, la strada fosse impraticabile (se qualcuno ci è stato in questo periodo) con un'auto normale. Quanto tempo s'impiega più o meno per fare questa loop road? Dato che, a quanto ho capito, per chi arriva da Miami l'imbocco del trail è molto difficile da trovare qual'è la stazione ranger più vicina dove poter chiedere una mappa? Grazie mille a chi mi risponderà!
Written March 5, 2017
Sorry, I'm not able to speak Italian! Please translate my Tripadvisor Comment from 25. Juni 2012, all your questions will be answerd there:
Die Loop Road führt 24 Meilen (ca. 38 km) durch das Big Cypress National Preserve, das im Nordosten an den Everglades Nationalpark angrenzt. Etwa 18 Meilen der Strecke sind unasphaltiert, daher sollte man mindestens(!) 90 Minuten Fahrzeit kalkulieren.
Bei einer Anreise von Osten bietet sich ein Stopp im Shark Valley Visitor Center an. Auf der hier ausgehändigten NP-Karte ist die Loop Road eingezeichnet und die Ranger sind über witterungs- oder straßenbau-bedingte Sperrungen informiert.
Von Miami über die US 41 kommend, zweigt die Loop Road ca. 4,5 Meilen nach dem Shark Valley gut ausgeschildert nach links vom Tamiami Trail ab. Die ersten Meilen sind noch asphaltiert und in einigen Landkarten als County Road 94 eingezeichnet. Sie endet in Höhe der Monroe Station wieder an der US 41.
Am 17. Mai 2012 nachmittags begegneten uns auf der gesamten Strecke nur 2 Autos! Obwohl es in der Nacht stark geregnet hatte, war die Straße gut zu befahren, an einigen mit riesigen Pfützen bedeckten Abschnitten fuhren wir vorsichtshalber Schrittgeschwindigkeit.
Dieses menschenleere Stückchen Florida bietet Natur pur: Schon auf der ersten Meile lag ein Alligator mitten auf der Straße und sonnte sich. Wir sahen unzählige Vögel, zwei große Schildkröten und dutzende Alligatoren in freier Wildbahn.
Für Besucher, die mehr Zeit mitbringen, gibt es ausgeschilderte Wanderwege und drei Campgrounds. Ausführliche Informationen findet man auf der Internetseite des National Park Service.
Written March 6, 2017
On google maps, it looks like the road is closed about 2 miles in (near the Monroe Station entrance to Loop Road). Is it open now? I know it's dusty and bumpy. I was there about 5 years ago.
Written May 17, 2016
Was just there a few weeks back and rode the whole thing. No closures anywhere that I saw.
Written May 22, 2016
salve, non so se qualcuno può rispondermi: andrò alle Evegladese a novembre 2016, entreremo al parco dalla cittò di Naples dove avremo soggiornato ed usciremo dalla parte di Homestead dove soggiorneremo la notte successiva, vorrei sapere se la strada 75 che taglia il parco è interamente percorribile in auto. grazie a chiunque può rispondermi e darmi consigli per la visita di una giornata. Milena
Written March 21, 2016
ah dimenticavo, la Loop road non si imbocca dalla 75 ma dalla 41/90 presso Monroe station, venendo da Naples verso Homestead. In ogni caso sono entrambe ben asfaltate.
Written June 20, 2016
How do you get there from the Rod and Gun Club in Everglades City?
Written January 25, 2016
Go north on Rte. 29 and then east on Rte. 41 (Tamiami Trail) turn right at Monroe Station sign.
Written October 30, 2016
You need a vehicle or bring your own food but that may temp the gators. There are a couple places run by the Miccosukee Indians along hwy 41 but I have never eaten at any.
Written May 23, 2017
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