Off-Road Vehicle Use

Swamp buggy in cypress swamp

NPS

Nearly impossible to reach by foot, generations have explored remote areas of the preserve using homemade airboats or swamp buggies. Today, people enjoy this traditional activity along an extensive trail system.

Authorized and Unauthorized Activities

Off-road vehicle operation on designated trails for hunting, fishing, frogging, camping, wildlife observation, transportation to private property, and other traditional nature-based activities are consistent with the Big Cypress National Preserve enabling legislation and the Addition Act, and are, therefore authorized in the Preserve.

Operation of off-road vehicles in excess of the authorized speed limit, off designated trails, or for the purpose of challenging the vehicle against Preserve resources or other vehicles, such as racing, mudding, sport riding, motocross riding, and competitive events, is not consistent with the Big Cypress National Preserve enabling legislation, or the Addition Act. These non-traditional pursuits damage the resource and, therefore, are not authorized in Big Cypress National Preserve. Engaging in these activities can result in forfeiture of off-road vehicle access privileges.

Please Recreate Responsibly!

 

Please note: Off-road vehicle use requires appropriate permits. Learn more about permitting requirements here. If you still have questions after looking at our Permits page, please contact the Off-Road Vehicle Permitting Office at 239-631-9988 during operation hours (Fri-Monday, 9:00a-1:30p

 

To learn more about off-road vehicle recreation within the national preserve, please use the following links.

• Need to register or renew an off-road vehicle permit? Head to our Off-Road Vehicle Permits page.
• Want to register an ATV or UTV? Learn more about the state's title requirements.
• View maps of desgianted Off-Road Vehicle trails. Maps can be viewed per unit on printable PDF files, or all designated off-road vehicle trails may be viewed using Google Earth or Garmin software.
• Want to organize a group, off-road vehicle event? You'll need to obtain a special use permit first.
• Read camp owner questions and answers
• Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Big Cypress Wildlife Management Area Hunting Regs .

 

Don't have a Off-road vehicle, but still want to explore? Check out our list of permitted commercial operators in the preserve! They may be able to help!