Laws and Policies in Big Cypress National Preserve Various public documents help guide the further management of natural and cultural resources, and the recreational opportunities within the preserve. Click on the collapsing panels below to find out more.
Congress created the Big Cypress National Preserve in 1974, as one of the first national preserves within the National Park System. Click here to download the law in its entirety.
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The goal of the Preserve is to develop a hunting management plan that enables the superintendent to provide hunting opportunities in a way that supports the protection of natural resources, serves the public interest, and complies with National Park Service policies, the Preserve’s founding legislation, the NPS/FWC partnership agreement, and all relevant laws and regulations.
The link to the most recent HMP will be up shortly - TBD The Land Protection Plan was signed in 1991. Find the original document here!
Federal law prohibits firearms within building facilities in Big Cypress National Preserve.
As of February 22, 2010, federal law allows those who can legally possess firearms under applicable federal, state, and local laws, to carry authorized firearms within the national preserve under certain circumstances. Please visit the federal Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms website for all possion and carry regulations for the state of Florida. It is the responsibility of visitors to understand and comply with all applicable state, local, and federal firearms laws before entering this site. The Big Cypress Backcountry Access Plan evaluates options for managing the preserve’s backcountry access and use and is intended to provide new access to the preserve while protecting natural and cultural resources and providing for public enjoyment. The plan will establish a secondary off-road vehicle (ORV) trail network providing reasonable access to destinations suitable for recreational activities, such as camping, photography and hiking; and would establish a permanent route for the Florida National Scenic Trail and other hiking opportunities.
The Big Cypress National Preserve was set aside in 1974, to ensure the preservation, conservation, and protection of the natural scenic, floral and faunal, and recreational values of the Big Cypress Watershed. The importance of this watershed to Everglades National Park was a major consideration for its establishment. The following documents relate to a General Management Plan (GMP) completed in 2011 that will guide the National Park Service's management of the Addition Lands in the future. |
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Last updated: August 12, 2025