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Big Cypress National PreservePanaroramic view of Deep Lake area.
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Big Cypress National Preserve
Portion of Loop Road Closed

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Date: October 8, 2008
Contact: Bob DeGross, 239-695-1107

Acting Superintendent Pedro Ramos announced today that effective October 9, 2008 at 12:00 noon, the portion of Loop Road south of the Gator Hook Strand site and west of the Loop Road Education Center will be closed to vehicle traffic. This closure does not apply to landowners and their guests. The closure is warranted due to water over topping the roadbed creating the potential for unsafe driving conditions. This portion of the road is gravel, and the combination of water over the roadway, and vehicle traffic has washed away road materials, leaving deep pockets in some areas of the roadway.

The paved portion of the road located west of the Preserve boundary and east of the Loop Road Education Center remains under a travelers advisory. If travel along the road is necessary, the use of a high clearance vehicle is strongly suggested. The National Park Service strongly discourages travel along this section of the roadway for all but local residents and their guests.

For a map showing the closed area of the road click here.

For information on other Preserve closures click here.

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

Did You Know?
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.

Last Updated: October 08, 2008 at 15:19 EST