• 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 »

Backcountry Volunteer

The goal of the Backcountry Volunteer Program is to increase the ability of the NPS to contact, assist and educate visitors in the Preserve backcountry, assist with minor trail maintenance as needed and aid in the monitoring of the backcountry trail system.

Backcountry Volunteers are trained in the use of Off-Road Vehicles (ORV) and travel along backcountry trails that allow for ORV use assisting and educating visitors as needed. Volunteers perform minor trail maintenance and identify major trail issues that need to be addressed.

Backcountry Volunteers are customer service oriented, enjoy the outdoors, have a basic understanding of backcountry travel and are good team players. Prior knowledge of Big Cypress trails and ORVs is beneficial for these volunteers, but not necessary. To become part of the program, a short training commitment is required.

To apply, please click here.

Did You Know?

Alligator in the swamp.

Feeding alligators creates nuisance alligators. Every year alligators that have been fed by visitors begin to lose their fear of humans. If these animals become aggresive they are killed to ensure visitor safety. To avoid this tragic end for these unique animals DO NOT FEED THEM.