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National Park Service |
Big Cypress
WMA consists of 565,848 acres within the 720,566 acre Big
Cypress National Preserve. The area spans parts of Collier,
Dade, and Monroe counties and borders Everglades National Park
adding to the diversity and protection of this unique
ecosystem. Big Cypress, the first preserve in the National Park
Service, was established in 1974 to protect water quality and to
ensure the continuing ecological integrity of the area.
The
name ‘Big Cypress’ refers to the extent of the area and not to
the size of the trees. In fact many of the trees within the Big
Cypress are dwarf pond cypress but areas of pinelands, tropical
hardwood hammocks, and freshwater marshes abound. Both
temperate and tropical flora and fauna are found throughout Big
Cypress. Here you can find many rare and protected species
including the
Florida panther and
black bear as well as the tropical
liguus tree snail, royal palm, and cigar orchid.
Recreational
opportunities include hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing,
paddling, hiking, biking, and camping. Designated campsites are
available at several locations in the WMA. In addition,
primitive camping is also available throughout much of the WMA
except in the Bear Island unit where all camping is limited to
designated campsites.
The Oasis Visitor
Center is located on
Highway 41 (Tamiami Trail) mid-way between Naples and Miami.
There are two driving tours, abundant with wildlife, that lead you
through open prairies, cypress swamps, hammocks, and pinelands;
Turner River Road (Rte 839) and Loop Road (Rte 94). Turner
River Road is a dirt road which dead ends approximately 20 miles
north of 41 with no access to I-75. Loop Road has access points
at Monroe Station and Forty Mile Bend Check Station and runs
south of Highway 41 for 23 miles (15 miles, dirt; eight miles,
paved).
Hiking trails of varying difficulty are located
throughout Big Cypress, including 31 miles of the
Florida
Trail.
Bear Island is a great place to ride a bike and the Turner River Canoe Trail winds through a
variety of South Florida habitats. For most, visiting Big Cypress
is more pleasant in the winter when bugs
are fewer and both temperature and water levels are lower. |
