Join us for a weekend of swamp walks, live demonstrations, experiments with National Park rangers, entertainment, and so much more!

SWAMP Celebration provides supporters of The Alliance for Florida’s National Parks, the opportunity to explore the private property surrounding Clyde Butcher’s Big Cypress Gallery within Big Cypress National Preserve. This event supports Big Cypress National Preserve’s youth environmental education program, which enables every 6th-grade student in Collier County (nearly 3,000 kids!) to be a “scientist for a day”, and experience the natural, wild wonders of the Southwest Florida ecosystems.

Swamp Celebration walks will take place on Saturday, October 21st, and Sunday, October 22nd, 8 am – 3 pm each day.
Each walk is spaced 30 minutes apart and will be limited to 10 adults and up to five children per walk.
Tickets are $75 per adult and $25 per child ages 16 and under.

***No refunds on tickets after October 16, 2023. After this date, any changes requested on tickets may incur a fee.***

What to expect: Be prepared to get wet and have fun! The walks are approximately two hours long with water levels waist-deep in some spots along the trail – and can even be chest-deep during particularly rainy seasons.

While swamp walks are a great way to experience the wetlands, they can be strenuous. You will need to navigate submerged obstacles, tripping hazards, wildlife, and uneven terrain.

Given the depth of the water, children must be over 48 inches tall to participate in the walks. If your child does not meet the height requirement or cannot withstand a two-hour walk, this event is not ideal for them. Please contact us to discuss alternate options.

Clothing and Equipment:

• Clothing will get wet and muddy.
• Wear closed-toe shoes with laces that tie on securely – an old pair of sneakers work best. Please do not wear rubber boots or waders (they fill up with water and make walking very difficult.)
• Wear long pants – no shorts.
• Bring a change of dry clothes (including underwear!) and shoes for after your walk.
• Bring a water bottle and stay hydrated – there is a refill station that you can use to fill up before you start your walk.
• Bring a hat, sunblock, and insect repellant. We will have #rangerready bug spray on hand for you to use!
• Please arrive in the clothes you will wear for your swamp walk.
• We will provide walking sticks for everyone.

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