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

    Big Cypress

    National Preserve Florida

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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 »

Exotic Vegetation Work on Turner River

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Date: January 4, 2012
Contact: Bob DeGross, 239-695-1107

The Turner River within Big Cypress National Preserve and its associated access and parking will be closed to all public access and travel beginning 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, January 5, 2012 through 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 7, 2012. The purpose of the closure is to treat the river for Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata), an invasive, exotic plant.

This closure extends from the headwaters of the river within Big Cypress south to the boundary of Everglades National Park in the area that the river is accessible by non-motorized vessels only. During the closure, visitors are advised to utilize the Halfway Creek canoe route, accessible from Seagrape Drive within the Preserve.

For details of areas described refer to canoe route maps found here. for information on other closures within the Preserve go here.

Did You Know?

Hunters entering the Preserve on a swamp buggy. Photo courtesy of Jack Moller.

Big Cypress National Preserve was one of the first national preserves within the National Park System. As a preserve, Big Cypress manages for a broader range of recreational activities, including hunting and off-road vehicle access.