Primary “trail” in the Bear Island Backcountry Unit, Big Cypress National Preserve

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Download a Bear Island Backcountry Unit Trail Map: Bear Island Map (PDF)

See the Backcountry web page for information on the other six backcountry units at Big Cypress National Preserve.

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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. The unit’s southern border is I-75. It’s northern and western boundaries are the Preserve’s boundaries. Its eastern boundary is the Addition Backcountry Unit.

Big Cypress Backcountry Zone Map (click to enlarge)

Bear Island Map (click to enlarge)

The Bear Island unit of Big Cypress National Preserve is unique in two ways. First off, it is the only backcountry unit that allows street legal 4-Wheel Drive vehicles in addition to swamp buggies and ATVs to access its off-road trails. This is because the area is much drier year round than the rest of the backcountry units that allow only swamp buggies and ATVs. Off-Road Vehicle Permits are required for any type of vehicle to enter into the backcountry (see the Off Road Driving web page for more information).

Secondly, it is the only backcountry unit where you must camp in established campgrounds, of which there are three. The Bear Island Campground is actually accessible to all vehicles with no permit needed. However, the other two, Pink Jeep and Gator Head, can only be reached by those in off-road vehicles or by those hiking or biking into the unit.

There are no traditional hiker-only trails at Bear Island. All trails are Primary and Secondary Trails, which are essentially established dirt roads that are open to vehicles, hikers, and bikers. Secondary Trails, smaller trails that branch off of the Primary Trails, are currently closed to vehicles and bikes due to a lawsuit (hikers can travel anywhere), but there are still 21 miles of Primary Trails. In the winter these are dry and anyone can hike or bike on them. 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. The entire park is flat and there are plenty of open areas. However, hike with caution because there are poisonous snakes and sharp vegetation in the backcountry. I heard a rattlesnake in the tall grass while walking on the Florida Trail, but didn’t stick around long enough to see it.

Entry by any means into the backcountry requires a permit. These are free and can be obtained at kiosks at trailheads, boat ramps, backcountry access roads, hunter check-in stations, and the visitor centers. 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. hike, camp, hunt). Keep one copy with you, stick one in the permit collection box at the kiosk, and place one on the dashboard of your car (all backcountry access areas have parking lots or allow roadside parking). 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.

You can also download the Backcountry-Permit (PDF) and either fill it out by hand or by using Adobe Acrobat (or an Acrobat browser plug-in). The PDF has two permits, and if you use Acrobat, the second permit fills out automatically as you type information into the first permit. You need three permits, so be sure to print two copies of the PDF and then use scissors to separate the copies.

No pets other than hunting dogs during the hunting season are allowed in the backcountry.

All entrances into the area are gated and can only be opened by off-road vehicle permit holders with the gate code. Hikers and bikers can get around the gate through a separate entrance. Access points are at the following locations:

TURNER RIVER ROAD ACCESS

Turner River Road is a dirt road that runs north from Highway 41 until ending at the Bear Island Backcountry Unit. It passes under I-75, but there is no access to the Interstate. There are backcountry access points at the end of Turner River Road and at the end of the road that runs through the Bear Island Campground.

Backcountry access road near the Bear Island Campground, Big Cypress National Preserve

Like all dirt roads in the park, Turner River Road is extremely dusty. The surface is made of crushed limestone, which is essentially chalk. I do not recommend driving on this road if you have a convertible, for dust will find its way into the interior through every crack in the car’s design. Enclosed vehicles will fare much better, but you will need a car wash afterwards. Travel on the park’s dirt roads only for the purpose of reaching a trail, campground, or backcountry unit. I do not recommend them for pleasure cruises.

Following behind another vehicle on the Turner River Road in Big Cypress National Preserve

I-75 ACCESS

There is a hike-in access pullout located at Mile Marker 70 on I-75. This is accessible from the westbound lane only. There is an eastbound pullout as well, but this only allows access into the Turner River Backcountry Unit, which is on the south side of I-75.

Permits for hunters and hikers can be obtained from the unmanned Hunter Check-In station. Unlike the eastbound access area where the trail into the park is a wide, dirt road, access here is suitable for foot traffic only. There is a short trail that leads from the parking lot to a footpath that heads east and west. The westbound trail ends pretty quickly, and the eastbound trail peters out in less than a mile. There are no established trails in this area, though you might stumble upon vestiges of former roads here and there. For the most part, be sure you know how to get around with a map and compass. No bikes are allowed (they are only allowed on Off-Road Vehicle roads).

Hunter Check-In station at Bear Island Backcountry Unit, Big Cypress National Preserve

Trail into the Bear Island Backcountry Unit, Big Cypress National Preserve

HIGHWAY 29 ACCESS

There is an access road into Bear Island along Highway 29. It is gated and allows only those hiking and biking into the park. Parking is done on the shoulder of the highway.

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