big cypress addition unit

The There are no traditional hiker-only trails at Bear Island. The enormous parking lot will more than accommodate cars and boat trailers.Unlike most of the other canals in the park which are narrow and overgrown, the Interceptor Canal is wide, clear, and well maintained. 839 from 1-75 Turner River Unit Burn 's Lake Monument Lake 41 839 Deep Lake Unit 837 837 841 Ochopee o O Jetport The Bear Island Backcountry Unit at Big Cypress National Preserve is located in the northwest corner of the park and is accessed via either a long drive along Turner River Road, at a pullout on the westbound lane of I-75 at Mile Marker 70 (hike in only), or at a hike- or bike-in access road off of Highway 29. It’s northern and western boundaries are the Preserve’s boundaries. Regardless of the amount of trails that may eventually be approved, part of the land will be designated as wilderness (no vehicles or bikes).The boundary of this area is not as easily defined as the boundaries for the other backcountry units, thus it is best to reference the map below.

The Addition Backcountry Unit got its name due to being an addition to Big Cypress National Preserve in 1988, and it appears that the National Park Service never came up with a better name. As of now, all trails are closed to vehicles and bikes. I do not recommend them for pleasure cruises.Following behind another vehicle on the Turner River RoadThere is a hike-in access pullout located at Mile Marker 70 on I-75. Unfortunately, I did not visit in the summer and cannot verify the dryness of the trails during this time, but a park Ranger told me that the best chance of finding dry trails at Big Cypress National Preserve in the summer is here at Bear Island.Hikers are also free to venture off-trail when the terrain permits. Environmental and sportsmen groups have been battling over these 147,000 acres since Day One, with the point of contention being vehicle access. Its eastern boundary is the Big Cypress Backcountry Zone Map (click to enlarge)The Bear Island unit of Big Cypress National Preserve is unique in two ways. hike, camp, hunt). The trailhead is on the right side of the parking lot.If traveling westbound on I-75, the northbound trail parking lot is on your right once you come to the end of the exit ramp—you can’t miss it. All you need is a pen or pencil to fill out the multi-copy form on which you provide your entry date and time, your estimated return time, and the purpose of your adventure (i.e. Permits help the National Park Service track which areas are used the most, plus if your car is left overnight the park Rangers will know when you were supposed to have returned, and if this time has long since passed, they know to come looking for you.Camping is allowed anywhere in the Addition unit provided that you pitch your tent at least a half mile from any developed areas such as roads, private homes, and established campgrounds. All you need is a pen or pencil to fill out the multi-copy form on which you provide your entry date and time, your estimated return time, and the purpose of your adventure (e.g.

Access points are at the following locations:Turner River Road is a dirt road that runs north from Highway 41 until ending at the Bear Island Backcountry Unit. The Addition consists of about 128,000 acres northeast of the original preserve boundary and approximately 18,000 acres along the western boundary. This is accessible from the westbound lane only. When you get off of the Interstate and enter the rest area, follow the “Hiker” signs. Here you will find a boat ramp where you can launch motorized boats, canoes, and kayaks into the Levee 28 Interceptor Canal. The entire park is flat and there are plenty of open areas. As of now, only those on foot (hikers, hunters, fishermen) or on a boat (motor, kayak, canoe) are allowed into the area, though a 2010 management plan called for 130 miles of vehicle trails (swamp buggies and ATVs).

Secondary Trails, smaller trails that branch off of the Primary Trails, are currently closed vehicles and bikes due to a lawsuit (hikers can travel anywhere), but there are still 21 miles of Primary Trails.

The only other way into the area is by hiking the Florida Trail from its start at the Big Cypress Backcountry Zone Map (click to enlarge)There are a few traditional trails (hikers only) at Big Cypress National Preserve in the Addition unit, including the Florida Trail, a 1300-mile trail that covers the state north to south starting at the Oasis Visitor Center (for more information, see the official Hikers are also free to venture off-trail when the terrain permits. Hikers and bikers can get around the gate through a separate entrance. It passes under I-75, but there is no access to the Interstate. To the north it stretches much further, but the land bordering the park is the Seminole Indian Reservation; a permit is needed to enter here as well.