Route #13 Miccosukee Indian Reservation - Big Cypress Loop Rd

This route crosses the territory of the Miccosukee Indian Reservation and enters the Big Cypress Swamp, one of the largest and least altered ecosystems in South Florida. The route follows the Big Cypress Loop Road, a scenic roadway that winds through wetlands, cypress forests, and seasonally flooded prairies.

The area has been inhabited for centuries by Indigenous peoples who learned to adapt to an extremely complex environment shaped by water, wildlife, and seasonal change. The Miccosukee presence remains visible today through villages, cultural centers, and traditional activities that coexist alongside modern infrastructure.

Along the route, human intervention is minimal, and the landscape remains dominated by cypress trees, palms, and extensive flooded areas. Alligators, wading birds, and other wildlife that form an essential part of the Big Cypress ecosystem are commonly observed. This region is considered a key territory for the conservation of the Everglades.

The complete route and its historical context are included in Discovering Florida – Volume 1.