Stairsteps Unit Designated Trails

As part of a settlement agreement with plaintiffs related to the designation of secondary off-road vehicle (ORV) trails within Big Cypress National Preserve, the National Park Service will leave all secondary ORV trails closed until further environmental review and analysis can be completed.

The secondary trails are being analyzed through an environmental review currently being undertaken by the National Park Service. This current review effort will more clearly identify suitable trails that may be included within the designated trail network. Information on this review process can be found here.

 

The Stairsteps Unit is broken into various zones.

Zone-2 allows for off-road vehicle use by Swamp Buggies and all-terrain vehicles. Dispersed camping is allowed. You may drive to a location along a designated trail nearest the camping spot you prefer, park along the shoulder of the trail in such a manner that does not impede travel by others, and carry your camping equipment to the site. Currently, there are six miles of primary trails within the unit.

Zone-3 currently allows for off-road vehicle use by Swamp Buggies and all-terrain vehicles. Dispersed camping is allowed, as described above. The unit currently has three miles of primary trails.

Zone-4 can be accessed only by airboats. Airboats may access designated camp areas. This zone currently has 57 miles of designated trails.

To view a map (11" x 17") of the trails of all zones in the unit that allow off-road vehicle access, click here.
Map updated 08/01/2014.

Click here for a list of trails in the unit that provides length of trail and destination information, coordinates of start and end points, and identifies whether a trail is open or closed.

Click here for a Google Earth file (.kml) or here for a .gdb file (compatible with Garmin GPS units) of trails and facilities in the Stairsteps Unit of the Preserve.