short nature trail through and over a cypress swamp
Water tupelo and bald cypress trees can live in deep water for long periods. After taking root in summer when the swamp is nearly dry, the seedlings can stay alive in water deep enough to kill other plants. This trail leads to an abandoned river channel. As the channel fills with silt and vegetation, black willow, sycamore, red maple and other trees will gradually replace the bald cypress and tupelo. Don't hurry, the change will take several hundred years.
The Cypress Swamp Loop Trail is 4/10ths of a mile long. Over bridge and thru the swamp to a pond and back to the parking area. An easy trail that can be hiked in 20 minutes.
As anywhere on the parkway, dogs are allowed as long as they are on a leash. Watch out for alligators - they, are not on a leash!
In the month of November, the tree canopy and water vegetation are bathed in interesting fall colors.
