• 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 »

Off-Road Vehicle Advisory Committee

The ORV Advisory Committee was established pursuant to the Preserve's 2000 Recreational Off-road Vehicle Management Plan and the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, to examine issues and make recommendations regarding the management of ORVs within the Preserve.

The establishment of the Committee fulfills the requirements of the Preserve Off Road Vehicle Plan and is consistent with the National Park Service policy of civic engagement. The Committee is comprised of individuals representing a broad range of backgrounds, knowledge and skills.

All meetings will be held at:
Big Cypress Swamp Welcome Center
33000 Tamiami Trail East
Ochopee, FL 34141

2013 Meeting Calendar
Meetings are from 3:30 to 8:00 pm on the following dates:
* Wednesday, January 30
* Wednesday, May 29
* Wednesday, August 28
* Tuesday, November 5

Board Members
Franklin Adams * John Adornato * Robin Barnes * Jim Coletta * Brad Cornell * David Denham * Edwin Everham * Manley Fuller * Karl Greer * Jorge Gutierrez * Chuck Hampton * Wayne Jenkins * Laurie McDonald * Barbara Jean Powell * Jennifer Richards * Dennis Wilson * Curt Witthoff

To submit general comments to the committee click here.

To submit requests for future agenda topics click here.

Click here to view the Off Road Vehicile Advisory Committee charter in its entirety.

Click here to view the Off Road Vehicile Advisory Committee protocols.

Did You Know?

Many large trees that did exist were harvested in the early 1900s.

There are few "big cypress" in Big Cypress National Preserve. The name comes from the great expanse of cypress forest, hundreds of thousands of acres, within the Big Cypress Swamp.