Big Cypress National Preserve
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footTRAX
N 25° 54.082 W 081° 19.377
17R E 467652 N 2864801
The Oasis Visitor Center is located on Highway 41 (Tamiami Trail) mid-way between Naples and Miami. There are two driving tours, abundant with wildlife, that lead you through open prairies, cypress swamps, hammocks, and pinelands; Turner River Road (Rte 839) and Loop Road (Rte 94). Turner River Road is a dirt road which dead ends approximately 20 miles north of 41 with no access to I-75. Loop Road has access points at Monroe Station and Forty Mile Bend Check Station and runs south of Highway
Waymark Code: WM3ARC
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 03/06/2008
Views: 71
Big Cypress WMA consists of 565,848 acres within the 720,566 acre Big Cypress National Preserve. The area spans parts of Collier, Dade, and Monroe counties and borders Everglades National Park adding to the diversity and protection of this unique ecosystem. Big Cypress, the first preserve in the National Park Service, was established in 1974 to protect water quality and to ensure the continuing ecological integrity of the area.
The name ‘Big Cypress’ refers to the extent of the area and not to the size of the trees. In fact many of the trees within the Big Cypress are dwarf pond cypress but areas of pinelands, tropical hardwood hammocks, and freshwater marshes abound. Both temperate and tropical flora and fauna are found throughout Big Cypress. Here you can find many rare and protected species including the Florida panther and black bear as well as the tropical liguus tree snail, royal palm, and cigar orchid.
Recreational opportunities include hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, paddling, hiking, biking, and camping. Designated campsites are available at several locations in the WMA. In addition, primitive camping is also available throughout much of the WMA except in the Bear Island unit where all camping is limited to designated campsites.
Managing Agency:
Managed in cooperation with
National Park Service
County: Collier
Cluster Name: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
To claim a log for this waymark, some proof of a visit is required. This proof can be a simple photo of a GPS, a photo of the person logging the waymark, or a photo of a signature item that a person uses for photographs, similar to using a gps.