This is an exotic place to ride your ATV. The first National Preserve in the National Park System, Big Cypress has a mixture of pines, hardwoods, prairies, mangrove forests, and cypress strands. Numerous wildlife residents and plants call this preserve home such as white-tailed deer, bear and Florida panther can be found here along with the more tropical linguus tree snail, royal palm and cigar orchid.
This meeting place of temperate and tropical species is a hotbed of biological diversity. Hydrologically, the Preserve serves as a supply of fresh, clean water for the vital estuaries of the ten thousand islands area near Everglades City. There are numerous places on these trails where you will be crossing water. Be sure that you know the proper techniques for fording small streams on your ATV. If done correctly, little to no damage will occur from your ATV. Improper riding techniques account for the majority of ATV trail damage.
If you are riding your ATV in the early morning or early evening hours, you will see many of the wildlife residents and perhaps even the elusive and notoriously shy Florida panther.
To ride your ATV in this preserve you must apply for an permit. The Off-Road Vehicle Permit System For Big Cypress National Preserve is a 3-Step Process to obtain an off-road vehicle permit for use of an ATV, ATC, Swamp Buggy or Street Legal - 4 X 4, in the Big Cypress National Preserve: 1) an operator's permit (free), 2) an inspection sticker (free), and 3) an annual vehicle
permit ($50.00 per year) are required. Motorcycles and other two-wheeled vehicles are not permitted in the preserve backcountry.
You should be aware that permit sales are on a first-come, first-served basis at this time, but a drawing system may be used as demand approaches the 2,000 permit limit. Permits are not transferable between vehicles.
