Big Cypress Observatory

Big Cypress Observatory sits deep inside Big Cypress National Preserve in southern Florida, where some of the darkest night skies east of the Mississippi River make it a magnet for stargazers.

About Big Cypress Observatory

Big Cypress National Preserve earned International Dark Sky Park status in 2016, and the observing area along Sea Grape Drive routinely measures Bortle 2 to 3 sky conditions, dark enough to see the Milky Way arch overhead on a clear night.

Stargazing & programs

During the dry season, roughly December through March, National Park Service rangers run free astronomy programs with telescope viewing and constellation tours, pointing out stars, star clusters, planets, nebulae and galaxies for visitors of all experience levels. The Milky Way itself is best seen from April through September, when it rises higher against the preserve's dark horizon.

Location & getting there

The preserve lies along the Tamiami Trail in Ochopee, Florida, in the heart of the Everglades ecosystem, roughly midway between Naples and Miami.

Visiting Big Cypress Observatory

The observing site is open to the public, and ranger-led programs are free, though schedules follow the dry season and the ranger calendar, so check the preserve's official visitor information before planning a night under its stars.

See your named star from here

Because Big Cypress's dark skies reveal so much with the naked eye, it's a fitting place to look for a star named through Star Register, every certificate includes the coordinates needed to find it with a telescope or stargazing app. Explore the star catalogue to choose one.