Big Cypress Lodge

What Big Cypress Lodge does

Big Cypress Lodge is a 103-room outdoor-themed luxury hotel operated inside the 535,000-square-foot Memphis Pyramid in downtown Memphis, Tennessee, founded in 2015 by Johnny Morris, founder and CEO of Bass Pro Shops, and operated as part of the Johnny Morris Nature Resorts portfolio alongside Big Cedar Lodge and Cheeca Lodge & Spa. The property is anchored by an experiential environment that includes 100-foot cypress trees, an indoor swamp with live alligators, a 600,000-gallon aquarium housing 36 varieties of native Mississippi River fish, and the nation's tallest free-standing elevator (the Sky High Ride) rising 300 feet to a glass observation deck with panoramic views of Memphis and the Mississippi River.

The business model blends lodging with co-located retail, dining, attractions, and group events under a single roof. Revenue streams include room and suite rentals across three tiers (Deluxe, Premier, Suites) plus ADA-accessible options; five on-site F&B venues (The Lookout fine-dining restaurant, Wahlburgers Wild, The Fishbowl bowling bar, The Den lobby bar, Mississippi Terrace, plus in-room dining); paid attractions (Sky High Ride, 13-lane Fishbowl bowling); meeting and wedding venue rentals accommodating 10 to 350 guests; and ancillary fees (parking, pet, airport shuttle). Pricing is unit-based per night/visit with seasonal variation and packaged bundles (e.g., Family Game Night from $223, Whiskey Trail Package, military 10% discount, Christmas in July up to 15% off).

Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer via the company's own booking engine and 1-800 reservation line, supplemented by sales-led pipelines for corporate meetings (RFP-driven, 12–350 guests) and weddings (dedicated phone line and request form, up to 280 guests), plus organic conversion from co-located Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid foot traffic. The property is privately held, has no funding rounds, and is not independently venture-backed; operations are absorbed within the parent Johnny Morris Nature Resorts and Bass Pro Shops organization.

Name

Big Cypress Lodge

Legal name

Big Cypress Lodge

Website

https://big-cypress.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Big Cypress Lodge is a 103-room outdoor-themed luxury hotel operated inside the Memphis Pyramid in Memphis, Tennessee, offering lodging, dining, attractions, and event venues under the Johnny Morris Nature Resorts portfolio alongside Bass Pro Shops retail.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Outdoor-themed Hotel Resort

NAICS

Hotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels (721110)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Hotels & Motels (7011)

akta.pro primary industry

Eco-Lodges (Sustainable/Nature-Based) (THAGAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

River & Wetland Lodges (Delta/Okavango-style) (THAGAIAG)

Keywords

• Outdoor themed hotel
• Wilderness lodge accommodations
• Event venue rental
• Pet friendly lodging
• Destination resort dining

Headquarters

HQ city

New Memphis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Hotel Accommodations: 103-room wilderness hotel offering rooms, suites, treehouse retreats, and cabins with nightly rates varying by season and room type. Primary revenue driver for the property.
2. Dining & Food Service: Multiple on-site dining venues including The Lookout at the Pyramid (fine dining), Wahlburgers Wild, The Fishbowl bar, In-Room Dining, and Guest Breakfast. Revenue from food and beverage sales.
3. Entertainment & Activities: Bowling at Fishbowl (13 lanes), Sky High Ride tickets, and activity centers. Pricing varies by activity and day of week.
4. Event & Meeting Space Rental: Venue rentals for corporate meetings, weddings, and celebrations. Multiple spaces available from 10-person boardrooms to 570-person combined venues.
5. Bass Pro Shops Retail: Co-located Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid generates retail revenue from outdoor gear, fishing equipment, and related merchandise.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Big Cypress Lodge operates a 103-room outdoor-themed luxury hotel inside the Memphis Pyramid in downtown Memphis, Tennessee. The property offers rustic-elegant accommodations suspended among cypress trees, an indoor swamp with live alligators, multiple dining venues, a 300-foot observation elevator (Sky High Ride), a 13-lane themed bowling alley (Fishbowl), co-located Bass Pro Shops retail, and meeting and wedding event spaces. It is part of the Johnny Morris Nature Resorts hospitality portfolio.

Product overview

Big Cypress Lodge is a rustic-luxury hotel and destination resort located inside the 535,000-square-foot Memphis Pyramid. The property offers a single unified hospitality experience combining lodging (103 guest rooms including Suites, Premier Rooms, and Deluxe Rooms across three tiers), retail (Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid), dining (The Lookout fine-dining restaurant, Wahlburgers Wild, Fishbowl Bar, The Den Bar & Lounge, Mississippi Terrace, and In-Room Dining), attractions (Sky High Ride & Observation Deck, Fishbowl bowling, fishing guide services), and event venues (meeting rooms, wedding services). All offerings are integrated within the Pyramid structure, with amenities including fitness center, complimentary WiFi, shuttle service, and pet-friendly accommodations. The property is part of Johnny Morris Nature Resorts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Suites Luxury rustic-luxe suites including Governor's Suite (1,995 sq. ft., sleeps 6), Treehouse (1,032 sq. ft., sleeps 2-4), Fly Fishing Lodge (1,318 sq. ft., sleeps 4), Duck Cabin (530 sq. ft., sleeps 2-3), and Junior Suite (1,261 sq. ft., ADA accessible). Designed for guests seeking premium indoor-outdoor themed lodging.
• Premier Rooms Rustic accommodations with oversized beds, electric fireplaces, luxury bath features, and private balconies overlooking Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid. Includes Interior King (518 sq. ft.) and Interior Double Queen rooms. Targeted at guests seeking distinctive themed lodging with mall or swamp views.
• Deluxe Rooms The largest hotel rooms in Memphis, featuring oversized beds, electric fireplaces, luxury bath features, and exterior-facing windows. Includes Exterior King and Exterior Double Queen rooms. Targeted at guests prioritizing spaciousness and exterior views.
• ADA Accessible Rooms Accessible lodging committed to providing ADA-compliant accommodations for guests with disabilities, available across multiple room categories including the Junior Suite.
• Sky High Ride & Observation Deck The nation's tallest free-standing elevator rising 300 feet (28 stories) to glass observation decks with panoramic views of downtown Memphis and the Mississippi River. Priced $5–$8 per person ($8 adults, $5 children 5-12) and complimentary for Big Cypress Lodge guests.
• The Lookout at the Pyramid Fine-dining restaurant at the top of the Memphis Pyramid featuring panoramic 360-degree views, a floor-to-ceiling aquarium bar, and upscale American cuisine. Open Mon–Sat 11AM–9PM, Sun 11AM–7PM. Targeted at hotel guests and the public seeking premium dining with skyline views.
• Wahlburgers Wild The world's only Wahlburgers Wild location, serving burgers and casual fare with an adventure-themed atmosphere inside the Memphis Pyramid. Open Mon–Sat 9AM–9PM, Sun 10AM–7PM. Targeted at casual diners and families visiting the Pyramid.
• Fishbowl at the Pyramid Underwater-themed bowling venue featuring 13 lanes with custom bowling ball returns (alligators, sharks, octopus), a full bar, and the Fishbowl Bar. Priced $32–$37 per hour plus shoe rental. Targeted at families, groups, and hotel guests seeking on-site entertainment.
• In-Room Dining Room service delivering classic favorites for lunch or dinner. Available Sun–Thu 11AM–9PM and Fri–Sat 11AM–10PM, subject to a delivery charge and 18% service charge. Targeted at overnight hotel guests.
• The Den Bar & Lounge Third-floor lobby bar designed like a grand hunting lodge with a roaring fireplace, deer antler chandeliers, and sweeping views of the retail store and swamp. Open Mon–Thu 4PM–10PM. Targeted at hotel guests and retail visitors seeking a themed bar experience.
• Memphis Fishing Guide All-inclusive fishing guide service on the Mississippi River targeting blue catfish, flatheads, and channel catfish (15–40 pounds). Operated through Fish Memphis. Targeted at hotel guests and visitors seeking guided outdoor excursions.
• Meeting & Event Venues Conference and banquet facilities including Ducks Unlimited Gallery (1,400 sq. ft., 160 guests), Waterfowl Gallery (160 guests), Mississippi Terrace (5,700 sq. ft., 250 guests), Delta Room (754 sq. ft., 95 guests), Gator Room (95 guests), Flyway Room (1,508 sq. ft., 200 guests), and Cattail Boardroom (294 sq. ft., 10 guests). Targeted at corporate meeting planners and event organizers.
• Wedding Services Wedding venues and planning services at the Pyramid with space for ceremonies and receptions for up to 280 guests, including on-site lodging for wedding parties and views of downtown Memphis. Targeted at engaged couples seeking distinctive wedding venues.
• Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid A 535,000-square-foot outdoor recreation retail experience co-located with Big Cypress Lodge, featuring 100-foot tall cypress trees, over 600,000 gallons of water with 36 varieties of fish, the Ducks Unlimited Waterfowling Heritage Center, aquarium, archery range, pistol range, and Beretta Fine Gun Center. Targeted at outdoor enthusiasts and travelers seeking integrated retail-hospitality.

Quantifiable outcome

• Consistently nominated for Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Old Dominick DistilleryminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Whiskey Trail Package featuring Old Dominick Distillery tours and tastings. Located along Tennessee Whiskey Trail, Old Dominick is Memphis's only distillery and West Tennessee's only distillery with over 150 years of grain-to-glass craft distilling. Transportation available via JM Nature Resorts Shuttle app.
• Ducks UnlimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Ducks Unlimited Waterfowling Heritage Center located inside Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid. Interactive wetlands education museum showcasing history of waterfowling and wetlands conservation created in partnership with Memphis-based Ducks Unlimited, world's leader in wetlands and waterfowl conservation. Features largest collection of waterfowl decoys along with taxidermy, calls, and sporting art.
• WahlburgerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWorld's only Wahlburgers Wild restaurant located inside the Pyramid. Full-service burger restaurant serving favorite menu items with adventure-themed atmosphere. Open Monday-Saturday 9AM-9PM, Sunday 10AM-7PM.
• Bass Pro ShopscoreOthersIntegrated co-location with Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid. Parent company Johnny Morris Nature Resorts operates Big Cypress Lodge within the Bass Pro Shops retail space. 535,000 square foot complex provides retail, dining, entertainment, and lodging under one roof.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• The Peabody Memphis: Iconic luxury hotel in downtown Memphis, the city's premier landmark lodging competitor. Targets overlapping leisure, corporate, and event customers in the same Memphis market with comparable upscale amenities and meeting facilities.

Direct peers

• Big Cedar Lodge: Sister property under Johnny Morris Nature Resorts in Ridgedale, Missouri. Operates the same nature-immersive luxury resort concept with rustic cabins, outdoor adventure activities, and Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris's signature design philosophy — making it the closest direct comparison.
• Mohonk Mountain House: Historic nature-immersive resort in New York's Hudson Valley featuring rustic luxury accommodations, indoor/outdoor activities, and themed dining. Comparable in size (~250 rooms) and concept to Big Cypress as a destination resort built around an immersive natural environment.
• Cheeca Lodge & Spa: Third property in the Johnny Morris Nature Resorts portfolio, located in Islamorada, Florida Keys. Shares the parent-company ownership, resort operating model, and target customer profile of luxury leisure travelers seeking distinctive nature-themed experiences.

Broad incumbents

• Disney Resort Hotels: Portfolio of themed resort hotels integrated with theme parks and entertainment complexes. Represents the gold standard for the immersive themed-lodging-plus-attractions model that Big Cypress emulates at a smaller scale within its Pyramid complex.
• Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center: Large-scale themed resort with integrated indoor gardens, water features, dining, retail, and entertainment under one roof. Closest large-chain analog to Big Cypress's all-in-one destination model, though with broader mainstream appeal and significantly larger room inventory.
• Kalahari Resorts & Conventions: Multi-property African-themed resort chain with integrated water parks, attractions, dining, and meeting space. Competes in the destination-resort segment with a comparable indoor-entertainment-plus-lodging model aimed at families and corporate groups.
• Wilderness Resort (Wisconsin Dells): Large indoor-outdoor waterpark and entertainment resort with integrated lodging, dining, and attractions. Competes for family/group travel bookings in the destination-resort segment with a comparable indoor-attractions-anchored lodging model.
• Great Wolf Lodge: National chain of themed family resorts featuring indoor water parks, entertainment, dining, and lodging under one roof. Competes for the same family/group travel customer with a similar integrated entertainment-plus-hotel model, though at a larger scale and more standardized concept.

Others

• Cabela's (Bass Pro retail brand): Outdoor recreation retail brand now owned by Bass Pro Shops. Sister brand sharing parent company distribution channels, customer base (outdoor enthusiasts), and CLUB rewards ecosystem that drives foot traffic and customer acquisition for Big Cypress Lodge.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Big Cypress Lodge