Open terrain within the Turner River Backcountry Unit, Big Cypress National Preserve

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Download a Turner River Backcountry Map: Turner-River-Trails (PDF)

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

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The Turner River Backcountry Unit is the largest backcountry unit in Big Cypress National Preserve. It is the area hemmed in by Turner River Road to the west, Highway 41 to the south, the Florida Trail to the east, and I-75 to the north.

Big Cypress Backcountry Zone Map (click to enlarge)

There are 126 miles of Primary Trails (dirt roads) in the Turner River unit and all are open to hikers and bikers. Those with swamp buggies and ATVs can also access the 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.

Primary Trail in the Turner River Backcountry Unit (dry season) at Big Cypress National Preserve

There are no trails specifically for hiking within the Turner River Unit 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 Turner River unit provided that you pitch your tent at least a half mile from any developed areas such as roads, private homes, 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.

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

Concho Billie
Park on the shoulder of the road.

Concho Billie backcountry access point, Big Cypress National Preserve

Windmill Tram
Park on the shoulder of the road.

Turner River Road North
Park on the shoulder of the road.

HIGHWAY 41

Skillet Strand North
The Primary Trail is gated and permitted off-road drivers will need a code to enter. Once inside there is plenty of parking for off-road vehicle trailers. There is a small parking lot outside the gate for hikers and bikers, as well as a picnic table.

Skillet Strand backcountry access point, Big Cypress National Preserve

Burns Road
A backcountry access road with a nine-car parking lot that can accommodate off-road vehicle trailers is located at the far end of the road that circles Burns Lake. The Burns Lake Campground and small picnic area are also located around the lake.

Monroe Station
Constructed in 1925, Monroe Station is one of two original gas stations on the Tamiami Trail that are still in existence. It is located at the western entrance onto Loop Road. Today it serves as a parking area for cars and the off-road vehicle trailers of those entering the Turner River Backcountry unit. The access road is located across the street from the station. The building is in poor condition and is not open to the public.

Monument Lake Campground
A backcountry access road is located on the east side of Monument Lake. Parking for off-road vehicle trailers is available.

Oasis Visitor Center
This is the start of the Florida Trail, so hikers can access the backcountry here, plus there is an off-road vehicle access point located behind the building. A large parking lot can accommodate off-road vehicle trailers.

FLORIDA TRAIL

The Florida Trail is for hikers only. This is the boundary between the Turner River and Corn Dance backcountry units, so hikers can head off-trail into either unit.

I-75

Eastbound Lane, Mile Marker 70
A road side parking area at Mile Marker 70 is located on both the east and west bound lanes of I-75. These offer hiker access only. Unfortunately, you can’t get to both from one parking area short of running across the Interstate, so if you end up on the wrong side of the highway you must continue down the road until you come to an exit ramp and can turn around. The east bound parking area gives you access to the Turner River Backcountry Unit to the south, while the west bound lane parking area gives you access to the Bear Island Backcountry Unit to the north.

I-75 parking lot at Mile Marker 70, Big Cypress National Preserve

The Turner River unit access parking lot holds a couple dozen cars. On the right side of the lot is a sidewalk that takes you to a dirt road, which in turn leads to the backcountry access point. No vehicles or bikes are allowed despite the trail being a former dirt road. This also serves as a Hunter Check-In point.

Access gate into the Turner River Backcountry Unit, Big Cypress National Preserve

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