• The Florida panther's watchful gaze- Courtesy- Ralph Arwood

    Big Cypress

    National Preserve Florida

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  • Annual 60-Day ORV Closure for Wheeled Vehicles

    Beginning at 12:01 am Monday, June 3, the annual 60-day recreational ORV closure for all units of the Preserve that allow for wheeled ORV access will begin. The closure will be lifted on Friday, August 2. More »

  • Campground Closures

    Beginning Monday, May 13 through Friday, August 16 camping will be available at the Midway Campground and the “loop” in the Bear Island Campground within Big Cypress National Preserve. All other established campgrounds will be closed. More »

  • Interstate 75 Mile Marker 63 Closure

    Beginning summer of 2013 the rest area and backcountry access at mile marker 63 will be closed due to construction. More »

2012 Fire & Related Closures

October 31
This burn was canceled due to staff being called away to assist with Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts. If conditions allow the Fire Division will be conducting a prescribed fire south of Upper Wagonwheel Road (CR 817) and east of Birdon Road (CR 841). Plans are to begin ignition around 12:30 pm. Ignition will be accomplished by hand and air resources. The burn area encompasses approximately 2,000 acres. No closures are expected with this activity and smoke impact is anticipated to be nominal.
Click here to see a map of the proposed burn area using Google earth.

May 7-18
Fire Management will be conducting a number of prescribed fires in several locations of the Racoon Point area, located within the Preserve. When fire activity is taking place information will be posted at trail head kiosks closest to the activity. There are no closures anticipated due to this activity and fires will only be conducted if conditions are favorable.
Click here for a pdf map.

February 13 through March 2
Over the next three weeks the Fire Division will be conducting a number of prescribed fires in various areas of the Preserve. When fire activity is taking place information will be posted at trail head kiosks closest to the activity. There are no closures anticipated due to this activity and fires will only be conducted if conditions are favorable.
Click here to view a Google Earth map of proposed fire activity (white polygon areas.)

January 5-21
Over the next several weeks NPS prescribed fire crews will be conducting prescribed fire operations in the vicinity of the Airplane Prairie in the Turner River Unit and within areas of the Bear Island Unit.
Click here to see map details.

Fire crews will begin the activity by securing all structures and facilities within the identified operation parameters. This prescribed fire activity is to be contained within 17,000 acres (approximately 4,000 acres in the Bear Island Unit and 13,000 acres in the Turner River Unit).

As of 1/4/2012, there are no associated closures or anticipated effects on nearby communities or roadways related to this activity. However, people entering the backcountry of the Preserve should be mindful of operations during their travels.

Did You Know?

A young alligator emerges from its egg.

Alligator hatching season is typically September through October in south Florida. A female can lay up to 50 eggs, about 45 of which will hatch, but only two or three will make it beyond the first two years of life.