Clyde Butcher's Big Cypress Gallery
Clyde Butcher's Big Cypress Gallery
Clyde Butcher's Big Cypress Gallery
5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Full view
About
Discover the allure of Clyde and Niki Butcher's art at Big Cypress Gallery, where they invite you to experience the beauty of their former home. To truly understand the swamp, they believe you need to immerse yourself in it. Join a guided swamp walk tour and consider extending your stay in our private accommodations nestled on 13 lush subtropical acres behind Clyde Butcher's Big Cypress Gallery, surrounded by a million acres of wilderness.
Ochopee, Florida
Awards
Travelers' Choice
2024
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Clyde Butcher's Big Cypress Gallery
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
324 reviews
Excellent
280
Very good
37
Average
5
Poor
2
Terrible
0
MMW Adventures
Waterville, Ireland30 contributions
Jun 2020 • Friends
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.
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.
Written June 11, 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.
Dear mmwadventures,
Thank you for taking the time to write this spectacular review! Your comments will help others grasp the uniqueness of this place and of Clyde and his work.
We hope we have the pleasure of seeing you out here again!
Written January 23, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Point_of_View01945
Marblehead, MA207 contributions
Mar 2020
We stop at the gallery every year and find wonderful things each year. It isn't just Butcher's photos. Each year we seem to encounter the work of new artist who have at least one piece that says "buy me" to us. As an old Florida native, I also find a good selection of old Florida books. However, I wish they would add greatly to their selections. The staff is friendly and most helpful.
Written March 11, 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.
Thank you so much for your kind words. We can't wait for you to come visit us again!
Written March 18, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Christina H
Redondo Beach, CA71 contributions
Jan 2021
LOVED the swamp walk here! I think there may be Ranger walks that also get wet, but here, every group is private! I hadn't even realized until after booking but am so glad I trusted the great reviews, it was so nice to have just us two and our guide. We had the benefit of old shoes to borrow, changing rooms, hose showers, and more quiet as well as attention, and the ability to ask about anything we wanted. We planned our trip in the winter so we could be there when water levels were knee to waist, and called in advance to confirm water levels. Tempted to come back in a few months for some flower blooms we were told about too, or to see how different it looks without water. The whole trail was very well groomed and beautiful. The world's smallest orchids were also marked for easy viewing on the trail. I learned a lot from our guide Matt and felt safe the whole time. There's one gator that seems to own this area, so find her at the entry and you can rest fairly easy for the rest of the way as she historically keeps other gators away (apart from her young babies, we saw 1). Plus you have a walking stick selection. The walk was pretty easy even during wet season, we just took it slow as we wanted for proper footing. If you're thinking about it, it sounds like people 70+ years make the trek too. Our guide Matt was also nice enough to bring a pocket camera to take our photos for us and send to us free of charge after the tour. Just know that while that's super convenient for making sure you don't accidentally drop your phone or camera on the water, you may still want to bring your own camera in a waterproof bag if you want a photo of good enough quality for prints. Matt was happy to take pics with our camera or his!
Written January 25, 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.
Thank you for such an in-depth and informative review Christina H. With our ever-changing seasons here in the wetlands, water levels can be markedly different from month to month. Your descriptions are very helpful for all visitors to our area.
Written January 30, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Douglas H
Cincinnati, OH448 contributions
Feb 2020
Clyde Butcher's photography is incredible. His large-format prints are somewhat expensive, but they are works of art. Clyde and Niki Butcher are very interesting and nice people. The Big Cypress Gallery is between Naples and Miami on the Tamiami Highway. It is a very interesting drive. Be sure to also stop at the Big Cypress Welcome Center. Try a swamp walk if you are adventurous.
Written February 23, 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.
Thank you Douglas H! We grateful for all the new visitors who discover this gem right in the middle of a wetland paradise! Hope you come back to experience the swamp with our guided tour.
Written March 8, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
MMW Adventures
Waterville, Ireland30 contributions
Jun 2020 • Friends
The 3 of us had no idea what to expect. All we know was to bring laced runners, long trousers, change of clothing and curiosity. The lovely woman on the phone was very passionate and sparked a lot of interest in us. Once we arrived we were greeted by Scott our wonderful, wonderful guide. We got some bamboo sticks and off we went into knee deep water ( how exciting) . Scott had so much love and knowledge about the healing plants, the wild life and the history. It had just rained few days ago so the land which was usually dry around this time was covered in fresh and clear water. The water level would vary from knee deep to hip deep. So we highly recommend to bring also fresh underwear. As we walked through a dense forest we spend a lot of time in the shadow of the vegetation. Although it was very hot the wet trousers were so comfortable that we always felt great. We were lucky and didn't encounter any mosquitos at this time. Scott who is also a photographer has such a deep bond with this place that it was his passion, love and enthusiasm which truly touched all of us.
We highly, highly recommend a good stretch of your comfort zone by going on an adventure with Scott. He is so calm and peaceful ( so is the swamp) - he will show you a new hidden gem and will change your perception about the swamp from dark, gloomy to peaceful, beautiful and fascinating.
Thank you Scott.
We highly, highly recommend a good stretch of your comfort zone by going on an adventure with Scott. He is so calm and peaceful ( so is the swamp) - he will show you a new hidden gem and will change your perception about the swamp from dark, gloomy to peaceful, beautiful and fascinating.
Thank you Scott.
Written June 11, 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.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! We love this kind of response! It's great to hear that our guides love what they do.
Written January 23, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Alison J
11 contributions
Feb 2022 • Solo
I went on my second swamp walk with Scott and found it was as good or even better than the first, which had been fantastic. First of all, he is incredibly knowledgeable and reassuring so I didn’t feel nervous about any of the possible encounters we might have. Secondly, he has an incredible trove of information that he is able to share about everything from the flora and fauna to the ecosystem and more and has such a nice way of doing so that it’s easy to digest and easy to ask questions. Lastly, he is a fantastic photographer and as someone who would like to take better photos of the swamp and be able to better convey its beauty, I found his advice and guidance enormously valuable. I’m already thinking about a third visit!
On a related note, this time I was able to stay in the cottage behind the gallery and what a treat that was. The place is lovely, clean and welcoming and equipped with pretty much whatever you need. Plus everyone who works there is very kind and helpful. More than anything what I can say is that it was like going on a meditation retreat. I felt so relaxed there that it seemed like all the day to day stresses just melted away. It’s pretty amazing to be able to sit on a comfy couch in front of a huge window and sip red wine while watching a mama gator slip back into the water as the sun starts to set.
On a related note, this time I was able to stay in the cottage behind the gallery and what a treat that was. The place is lovely, clean and welcoming and equipped with pretty much whatever you need. Plus everyone who works there is very kind and helpful. More than anything what I can say is that it was like going on a meditation retreat. I felt so relaxed there that it seemed like all the day to day stresses just melted away. It’s pretty amazing to be able to sit on a comfy couch in front of a huge window and sip red wine while watching a mama gator slip back into the water as the sun starts to set.
Written March 4, 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.
Thank you so much for that wonderful review Alison! We appreciate all your feedback and comments that help guide other travelers to our gallery, rentals and tours.
Written March 5, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
DoxieGal58
Miami, FL215 contributions
Oct 2019
Clydes photography is reminiscent of Ansel Adams as much of it is in large format black and white. The gallery displays many of his beautiful photographs, plus the work of others. The staff is friendly. Not a pretentious place. We have visited several times and have done the swamp walk with the park rangers in October. A great place to stop as you pass along Tamiami Trail.
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.
Thank you so much for your kind words. We're so happy you enjoyed your visit. Be sure to come visit again!
Written February 6, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Elayne L
Paramus, NJ220 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
It was about a two hour ride from Cape Coral Florida where we are staying to get to Clyde Butcher’s Big Cypress Gallery. Clyde is a photographer who does enormous prints in black and white. Most of his photos are of the Everglades and they are magnificent. Clyde’s wife and a few other photographers are also available at the gallery. They have a great video explaining Clyde’s work and his efforts to save Big Cypress Everglades. The people running the gallery or friendly and very knowledgeable and helpful. There is also a nice nature walking trail & a small gift shop so if you’re looking for a beautiful ride and an interesting place to visit this is a perfect spot for you, even if you are not in the market to purchase art for your collection.
We also stopped at Big Cypress Visitors Center & enjoyed that too. On our way home the sun was setting & the skies were exquisite. It was a wonderful adventure.
We also stopped at Big Cypress Visitors Center & enjoyed that too. On our way home the sun was setting & the skies were exquisite. It was a wonderful adventure.
Written January 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.
Thank you so much for your review. We're so happy you enjoyed your visit to Big Cypress Gallery. It's truly a special place with special people. Be sure to come back and visit us again... Bring your friends!
Written January 13, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Don S
1 contribution
Jan 2020 • Couples
Being a photography hobbyist I was somewhat familiar with Clyde Butcher’s black and white photography. Another couple suggested we stay at the 2 bedroom cottage behind Clyde’s gallery for 3 nights.
What a great adventure. The cottage is on the 2nd floor and was actually the Butcher’s residence some years ago. It was very clean and the beds were quite comfortable. The view on the enclosed porch overlooking the swamp and cypress strand was magnificent. The swamp walk with our guide Scott was extraordinary. Scott was able to transfer his passion and a bit of his knowledge to us. He really loves the swamp and took his time to thoughtfully answer any questions.
After our swamp walk we extended the walk with a photo walk with Scott. We were able to get some amazing photos and saw some extraordinary scenery along the way.
I would highly recommend all that we did. Lodging, the eco tour and photo shoot.
It was interesting that there was no WiFi or cell service available. It was quite enjoyable to discover that the four of us hadn’t lost the art of conversation. There was a land line phone available in case of an emergency.
Ps. The night sky was amazing. No lights for miles around makes the stars and planets pop
Don & Nora Santella.
What a great adventure. The cottage is on the 2nd floor and was actually the Butcher’s residence some years ago. It was very clean and the beds were quite comfortable. The view on the enclosed porch overlooking the swamp and cypress strand was magnificent. The swamp walk with our guide Scott was extraordinary. Scott was able to transfer his passion and a bit of his knowledge to us. He really loves the swamp and took his time to thoughtfully answer any questions.
After our swamp walk we extended the walk with a photo walk with Scott. We were able to get some amazing photos and saw some extraordinary scenery along the way.
I would highly recommend all that we did. Lodging, the eco tour and photo shoot.
It was interesting that there was no WiFi or cell service available. It was quite enjoyable to discover that the four of us hadn’t lost the art of conversation. There was a land line phone available in case of an emergency.
Ps. The night sky was amazing. No lights for miles around makes the stars and planets pop
Don & Nora Santella.
Written January 22, 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.
We're so happy you enjoyed your adventure stay with us. It was a pleasure to share our little piece of heaven with you. Hope to see you again!
Written February 6, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
10Tricia
Miami Beach, FL6 contributions
Feb 2021
We have been Clyde Butcher fans forever, and when we visited the gallery 5 years ago, we always said that we needed to stay in the "Swamp Cottage" sometime and this year provided the perfect opportunity. The cottage was VERY clean (thanks, Sarah) and VERY comfortable with the added bonus of Clyde's photographs in every room. We scheduled a swamp tour for our first morning with Matt and had a great time learning about the Everglades. We barbequed on the grills each night while sitting around the fire pit. Catherine and Matt were great hosts -- we really enjoyed meeting them and they went out of their way to make sure everything was perfect. From reminding us to bring extra ice to helping to book the swamp tour to lending us crackers for our Everglades City stone crabs. I can't say enough good things about the whole experience. Civilization is at least 30 minutes away so come prepared to relax and unwind.
Written February 10, 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.
Thank you for the excellent review! We hope to see you again soon.
Written February 14, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
No questions have been asked about this experience