33100 Tamiami Trail East, Ochopee, Florida

34141

2396951201

Public

Big Cypress National Preserve

  

  

  

ORV Permit Office, located at the visitor center, is open from 9:00 - 3:00, every day but Christmas. ORV inspections are conducted FRI - MON.

RULES AND REGULATIONS YOU ARE REQUIRED TO KNOW ALL RULES AND REGULATIONS. • Vehicles must meet specifi cations, permit requirements and be of the proper type for each unit. • Vehicles must use designated access points and follow trail requirements in each zone. • Off -road vehicles are prohibited from operating in preserve campgrounds, with the exception of Bear Island and Burn’s Lake, for the purpose of accessing backcountry trails. • ATCs are limited to the number of riders intended by manufacturer. Safety belts are to be worn on vehicles equipped with them. • Open containers of alcoholic beverages are prohibited on all ORVs. • Speed limits -15 miles per hour for wheeled vehicles, 30 miles per hour for airboats. • Any device used to push aside, shear off , or otherwise damage vegetation is prohibited. Tire chains, bar grips and other devices affi xed to tires are also prohibited. • Vehicles parked at trailheads should not impede traffi c fl ow on the road or access to the ORV trail. • Airboats may travel on designated trails 50’ from either side of trail markers when terrain permits. CAMPING, HUNTING AND OTHER REGULATIONS Fires may be banned during high fi re danger. Check bulletin boards for special regulations or announcements. Individuals occupying a site may bring camping and/or hunting equipment onto the preserve after 8 a.m. one day before the opening of each of the following hunting seasons and must remove such equipment from the preserve before 6 p.m. one day after each season ends (applies to archery/muzzle loading, general gun and spring turkey seasons). Individuals who leave equipment unattended during the allowable time period must leave identifi cation (name, address, phone number) clearly visible on the tree stand, tent, or similar equipment. Equipment must be removed between seasons. In Zone 4 airboat users must camp in designated campsites only (1-17); backcountry camping is allowed in other areas of Zone 4 (except the seaside sparrow closure area) when access is gained by foot or non-motorized vessel, and the campsite is located at least 1/2 mile from the Loop Road and 1/4 mile from any designated campsite or airboat trail; no personal property can be left in the backcountry (tents, grills, cookware, tables, bedding, etc.) anywhere in Zone 4 when the user is not actively camping and staying overnight at the campsite. All fi rearms and hunting weapons are allowed only during hunting season with the appropriate licenses. Target shooting is prohibited. Weapons on ORVs must be unloaded and cased or stored in a manner that will prevent their ready use. The shooting, hunting with or possession of loaded weapons within campgrounds is prohibited. Those hunting or accompanying a hunter during muzzleloading and general gun season must wear at least 500 square inches of fl uorescent orange material above the waistline as an outer garment. Recreational frogging is allowed throughout the year. Frogs may only be taken by the use of gigs. Artifi cial lights may only be used for frogging as spotlighting is prohibited for other species. Dogs are not permitted in the backcountry. Bird dogs and waterfowl retrievers are allowed for hunting purposes during the respective seasons. Generators are prohibited in the backcountry