The Cypress Canopy

Can you guess why this is our most popular trip? How about a canopied river, an incredible array of wildlife, tropical plants and even some South Florida "whitewater" action!

The Cypress Canopy trip covers the upper section of the Loxahatchee River. It's one trip you don't want to miss!

Your adventure starts at the launch near Canoe Rentals at the Park. You can rent a canoe or kayak. If you need to keep your electronic items dry, we carry several types of dry bags in the shop.

As you leave the canoe launch you'll head downstream on the tea-colored Loxahatchee River and into the cypress swamp. The swamp gets it name from a type of tree that's commonly found here - yup, it's a cypress. A "Bald Cypress" to be exact. Not only is it bald, but it has bony "knees" that grow from the roots and stick up out of the water. You'll also see lots of other types of tropical and sub-tropical foliage, such as Leather Ferns, Wax Myrtle and Pond Apple trees. Best of all, the cypress swamp provides shade from the hot Florida sun.

As you paddle along the small and twisty river you'll get a feeling of being a part of it. It's a fun place to explore and see how many different kinds of animals you can spot - or perhaps which animals spot you, like the critters pictured above. On every other turn you might see an alligator, turtle, bird or raccoon. Owls, egrets, heron, osprey, limpkin and kingfisher all call this river home.