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

    Big Cypress

    National Preserve Florida

There are park alerts in effect.
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  • Fire Activity

    Currently there is fire activity within the Preserve. More »

  • 2013 Zone 4 Closure

    Beginning at 12:01 am Monday, April 8, 2013, the Zone 4 airboat access within Big Cypress National Preserve will be closed due to low water conditions. 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 »

  • 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 »

Fire Management Plan

The Big Cypress Fire Management Plan identifies objectives of the prescribed fire management program (management ignited and natural) as:

* Control exotic plant species.
* Meet operation needs such as vista clearing and debris removal.
* Manage wildlife habitat for game, non-game, protected, and rare species.
* Research the ecological role of fire in the Preserve's varied ecosystem.
* Protect selected cultural and natural resources that are fire intolerant.
* Reduce hazard fuel accumulations in the backcountry, around improvements, and along major roadside corridors.

 
Firefighters maintaining a fireline
Firefighters maintaining a fireline
COURTESY/CHRISTOPHER DERMAN

Did You Know?

Alligator in the swamp.

Within the preserve, the HP Williams and Oasis Wildlife Viewing Platforms are popular areas to see alligators. The best time to see large congregations of alligators is typically from January through May. Remeber not to feed or approach these dangerous animals.