Swamp Buggy Fun in Big Cypress National Preserve

Serene view from Capt. Steve's Swamp Buggy inside Big Cypress National Preserve

Enlarge Photo

Capt. Steve of Capt. Steve's Swamp Buggy Adventures loves his job. He’s the expert on 729,000 acres of swamp. Not only was he a park ranger in the Florida Everglades — his great grandpappy (Capt. Charlie Boggess) was the first ever tour guide to take folks through the Big Cypress National Preserve. So … Capt. Steve’s got the flora and fauna of these parts in his blood. Seriously. He’s larger than life — in his palm print shirt and khaki baggy shorts paired with a big-brimmed straw hat and aviator sun-glasses — his booming voice rings out for two-hours plus as he tells tales of elusive panther sightings, camping amid the vast landscape of saw palmetto palm trees, cypress domes and so much more. He even fills you in on how he acquired the gator teeth and pig tusk he wears around his neck.

Sitting high atop the monster swamp buggy taking in the vast landscape of the Big Cypress in all its glory — Capt. Steve extends an invite: “Come back in the fall for an overnight under the stars. I’ll bring the stone crabs,” he says with a laugh. Sounds like a plan, Capt. Steve!

Tags: Big Cypress National Preserve | Capt. Steve's Swamp Buggy Adventures | Concho Billie Trail | Florida Everglades