Big Cypress Backcountry Zone Map (click to enlarge)

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Download a Corn Dance Backcountry Unit map: Corn Dance Backcountry Unit 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 Corn Dance Backcountry Unit is bounded by Highway 41 to the south, the Florida Trail to the west, the Big Cypress National Preserve boundary to the east, and the Addition Backcountry Unit to the north.

There are 65 miles of Primary Trails (dirt roads) in the Corn Dance unit and all are open to hikers and bikers; secondary trails are only open to hikers. Those with swamp buggies and ATVs can also access the Primary Trails with an Off-Road Vehicle permit. No automobiles, including 4-Wheel Drives, are allowed. Primary Trails are basically dirt roads in the dry season (November-April), while they are usually submerged and muddy during the wet season (May-October). See the Off Road Driving web page for more information.

Typical Primary Road during the dry season (photo from the similar Turner River Backcountry Unit) at Big Cypress National Preserve

There are no trails specifically for hiking within the Corn Dance Unit of Big Cypress National Preserve other than the Florida Trail, a 1300-mile trail that covers the state from north to south starting here at Big Cypress (for more information see the Florida Trail Association web page). However, while vehicles and bikes must stay on the Primary Trails, those on foot are free to hike off-trail when the terrain permits. The entire park is flat and there are plenty of open areas. 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 did not 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.

Backcountry camping is allowed anywhere in the Corn Dance unit provided that you pitch your tent at least a half mile from any developed areas such as roads, private homes, trails, and established campgrounds. If driving, find a suitable site and pull off the trail so that others can pass, then carry your equipment to the campsite.

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

The only direct access point into the Corn Dance Backcountry Unit, other than hiking all the way down the Florida Trail from I-75, is from the Oasis Visitor Center. A Primary Trail is located in the back of the facility property. Parking for off-road vehicle trailers is available. The entrance into the unit is 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. You can also enter into the area from Primary Roads that originate in the adjoining Turner River Backcountry Unit.

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