• 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 »

  • Campfire Ban in Effect.

    Due to severe fire conditions campfires restrictions are currently in place. 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 »

  • 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 »

Experience Your National Parks During National Park Week

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Date: April 16, 2012
Contact: Christopher Derman, 239-695-1165

In celebration of National Park Week, Big Cypress National Preserve will offer ranger-led programs on April 23-25, 2012. Topics vary from butterflies, reptiles and guided canoe programs.

For programs on April 23 and 25, please meet at the Oasis Visitor Center auditorium at 1:00 p.m. Programs will last approximately one hour. Ranger-led canoe trips will be conducted on April 24, and will last two hours, with one starting at 10:00 a.m. and one starting at 1:00 p.m.

National Park Week is a celebration of "America's best idea." From April 21-29, entrance fees are waived at those National Park System units that charge such fees.

"America's national parks offer something for everyone," said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. "Take a break and experience something new, enjoy some fresh air, get some exercise, and see where history happened. And, since admission is free to all 397 parks, all week long, National Park Week is a great time to get up, get out, and explore a park."

For canoe program reservations, call the welcome center at 239 695-4758, from 9:00-4:30. For general information, please visit the Preserve website at www.nps.gov/bicy.

Did You Know?

manatee

Mermaid sightings have been reported by sailors throughout history who often blamed the part-woman, part-fish beings for leading them astray. But folklore experts believe that what those sailors were seeing were not mermaids, but rather air-breathing manatees, or their dugong relatives. More...