View of Deep Lake in the Deep Lake Backcountry Unit, Big Cypress National Preserve

---

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

---

The Deep Lake Backcountry Unit is bounded by Highway 29 to the west, I-75 to the north, Turner River Road to the east, and Upper and Lower Wagonwheel Roads to the south.

Big Cypress Backcountry Zone Map (click to enlarge)

There is no vehicle access into the Deep Lake unit and only two established hiking trails penetrate into the interior, the Fire Prairie Trail and the Deep Lake Trail. Hikers are 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 an established 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.

Backcountry camping is allowed anywhere in the Deep Lake unit provided that you pitch your tent at least a half mile from any developed areas such as roads, private homes, and established campgrounds. The best point of entry is the Fire Prairie Trail where most of the terrain is open.

As for the dirt roads that pass through the area, there is no reason whatsoever for a tourist to travel on the Upper Wagonwheel Road, the Lower Wagonwheel Road, or Birdon Road. There are no trails, campgrounds, or any other attractions on these roads. All dirt roads in the park are extremely dusty due to being made of crushed limestone, which is essentially chalk. The interiors of convertibles and other soft top vehicles will be inundated with dust, and though enclosed vehicles will fare much better, they will still 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 drives.

The Turner River Road, while equally dusty, is necessary to travel on for a number of reasons. Swamp buggy and other backcountry tours meet along the road; it is the only way to reach the campgrounds of the Bear Island Backcountry Unit; and the trailhead for the Fire Prairie Trail is located on it. However, like the above mentioned roads, avoid Turner River Road for pleasure drives.

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

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

Back to the Top