Oasis Visitor Center
Oasis Visitor Center
4.5
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
About
Established in 1974, as America's first national preserve, the site protects over 729,000 acres of a vast freshwater swamp ecosystem, which supports the rich marine estuaries along Florida's southwest coast.
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4.5
230 reviews
Excellent
149
Very good
66
Average
13
Poor
1
Terrible
1
KimmyG
Fort Smith, AR
Jul 2020 • Family
Our toddler is interested in alligators and Oasis usually has a some in the waterway between the parking lot and the Timiami road. So we drove 75 minutes to check it out on an early Sunday morning. The drive was nice — especially when you’ve been stuck at home. We saw lots of people fishing along the way. Oasis itself was not open but the parking lot and viewing platform as well as the restrooms are open. When we arrived, we were the only humans there. During our 20 minute or so on site, about a dozen others came and went. Everyone kept social distanced AND wore masks.
There was only 1 gator but it was a big one. Plenty of fish and turtles. The toddler thinks she saw 2 because we went around a second time.
The last time I visited Oasis was May 2019. The water was considerably lower then and many more gators. But it is now mating season and the water is much higher. I suspect that impacts the viewing opportunities this time of year.
As far as easy and cheap, this nailed it.
There was only 1 gator but it was a big one. Plenty of fish and turtles. The toddler thinks she saw 2 because we went around a second time.
The last time I visited Oasis was May 2019. The water was considerably lower then and many more gators. But it is now mating season and the water is much higher. I suspect that impacts the viewing opportunities this time of year.
As far as easy and cheap, this nailed it.
Written 12 July 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.
goseedo
Tennessee
Oct 2022
The Oasis Visitor Center was closed Sundays and Mondays during our visit. However, plenty of parking was available (including for long RVs), the restrooms were open, and the boardwalk was nearby. National Park stamps were available at the other visitor center (N. P. Reed) about 20 minutes further west. From the boardwalk, we saw one alligator, many fish including gar, and a good-sized turtle. We actually saw more 'gators at the H. P. Williams area. Big Cypress National Preserve is free to enter and the Oasis VC is about an hour's drive from west Miami.
Written 26 October 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.
Bigo1952
Findlay, OH
Feb 2020 • Couples
On our way from Naples to Key Largo and seen this stop on 41. Decided to take a break and enjoy the area. The board walk was a great 👍 place to view the gators 🐊 and the many fish 🐟 and birds. The center is small but a lot of great information was available. If your heading across the state on 41, you should stop in and enjoy the break.
Written 15 February 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.
phvi2617
Anaheim, CA
Apr 2023 • Solo
As others have said, there is a nice boardwalk along a canal where you can see tons of alligators. I walked a bit farther on the Florida Trail, but there wasn't much to see aside from the airstrip. Unfortunately, the visitor center was closed on the Monday I stopped by, but the restrooms were open. The drive from Miami is really scenic, and it was a cool stop before going to Shark Valley.
Written 29 May 2023
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.
Patti S
Hollywood, FL
Feb 2020 • Couples
We stopped here for information about the Big Cypress Area. The rangers were very knowledgeable about the area ie.hikes camping etc. There is a great handicap accessible walkway to observe wildlife. The alligators were there in great numbers. We took most of the recommendations from the rangers and had a great visit!
Written 15 February 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.
Malcolm H
Aylesford, UK
May 2022
This was a tremulous opportunity to get up close ( but not too personal) with alligators in the wild. There were so many of the creatures, spoilt for choice. Unfortunately the actual rangers lectures were not available due apparently to lingering (Covid) staff shortages but it was still a fantastic experience to be virtually guaranteed to see the gators.
Written 29 May 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.
EASYNOVV
United States
Nov 2019
I would definitely recommend this place for a stop, because it is located just about in the middle of the Tamiami trail.
There is a free parking and a very good wooden dock to enjoy the gators.
There is a free parking and a very good wooden dock to enjoy the gators.
Written 9 February 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.
Fraser's Travels & Craft Beer
Chelmsford, UK
Nov 2018 • Couples
We visited the Oasis Visitor Center after being at the Big Cypress Welcome Center. The Oasis VC was so much better! Although the actual building is much smaller it still has rangers on duty, a few books/souvenirs for sale and a few exhibits, but what makes it is the excellent boardwalk out front. The boardwalk gives you a great vantage point from which to look into the canal for great views of alligators, fish and birds. Got a great pick of a gator snapping up a passing fish! Also don’t forget to get a cancellation stamp in your National Parks Passport at the ranger station!
Written 19 May 2019
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.
scp427
Buffalo, NY
Mar 2021
This is an easy stop on 41. Lots of gators to be seen. They have a nice little national park gift shop there too in case you need a sticker for your camper like I did. Or a national park map.
Written 6 March 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.
dragonflytw65
Palm Harbor, FL
Sept 2019 • Couples
This was a great stop along the trail. The ranger, Lisa Held, was super helpful and informative about camping options, paddling opportunities and the history of the area. The gift shop was interesting, we bought a foldout, laminated bird guide to add to our collection.
Written 17 September 2019
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.
Can anyone comment on the Oasis Visitors Center versus the Big Cypress Welcome Center farther west?
How much time should be allowed for a visit at either one?
Thanks.
Written 11 December 2015
The Oasis visitor centre has a boardwalk in the front, which isn't very long but you are almost certainly going to see aligators sunny themselves. Usually it's when it's getting a bit cooler during the day. So the time spent three depends on how long you want to look and photograph them.
Big Cypress, has a short boardwalk out the back and when we were there in November, there was a mother Manatee and it's calf but obviously there is no guarantee to this.
You could spend probably about 20 minutes in each centre looking at there displays and information.
I hope this helps.
Written 13 December 2015
I will be hiking to the Oasis Visitor's Center from Key West and need to know what transportation arrangements can be made to get from the Center to the Miami Airport.
Any suggestions will be appreciated!
Written 26 December 2014
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