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

    Big Cypress

    National Preserve Florida

  • ORV Related Closures

    Effective 12:01 a.m. Friday, March 23, 2012, Zone 4 airboat access within Big Cypress National Preserve will be closed due to low water conditions. Other areas of the Preserve will be closed to recreational ORV access from June 4 through August 2. More »

NPS Working to Contain Lightning Caused Fire

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Date: April 28, 2011
Contact: Bob DeGross, 239-695-1107

The National Park Service is working to contain a lightning caused fire within Big Cypress National Preserve. It is believed the fire was ignited on Wednesday, April 28. It has burned approximately 3,000 acres as of today.

The fire is between the Buckskin and Oasis Trails in the heart of the Preserve, just south of an area locally known as Little Deer. There are private properties in the area, and it is the priority of the NPS to take appropriate management actions to protect properties when necessary.

In an effort to minimize risk and to ensure the safety of visitors and our employees the NPS is taking the measure to close the primary and secondary trails in the vicinity of the fire.

Further updates and maps will be posted here.

Did You Know?

Bear in a tree.

Many do not expect to see bears in Florida. Actually, we have a healthy population within the state. Big Cypress is one of their ideal habitats in southwest Florida. If camping in the area, be sure to keep your camp "bear proof."