Big Cypress Camping

[Gamer]

How many camp grounds are there in Big Cypress that you can ride your ATV from the camp to the trails?  According to what I read on the website it seems to be only Bear Island and Burns Lake.  Are there anymore?  Also are you allowed to camp at any of the ATV Trail entrances like Congo Billy or maybe pop up a tent anywhere along the trail of the preserve?  Thanks in advance for any info.

[sk8r_dude]

From what I read in the rules, you are permitted to camp anywhere in the back country of Big Cypress. I have been to Bear Island camping area and I know you can ride to the trails from there. Bear Island riding is not very interesting as they are all maintained trails for the most part. I don't believe camping at the trail heads is permitted. Camping at Bear Island is only allowed at the designated camping areas. Go to the Big Cypress website http://www.nps.gov/bicy/ and all your questions will be answered. Also, check out http://www.bigcypressswamp.com/ a lot of information and history about Big Cypress.

BTW, Concho Billy and Monroe North trails are my favorite.

[Gamer]

Thanks for the info Sk8r_dude.  I just realized that I posted the same exact thing about a year ago on here.  Talk about deja voo.  We never ended up making the camping trip last year but I'm pushing harder to do it this year.  I guess all of my questions can be answered at the Ranger Station but I would like to hear some good news before going all the way out there and being disappointed.  Do you ever camp there Sk8r_dude?  I know I've seen posts from you about Congo Billy.  I would like something challenging like that but also be able to camp somewhere along the trail.

[sk8r_dude]

Sorry, but I have never camped overnight at BC. Besides the camping areas you mentioned, camping in the back country would be primative and where ever you find a dry area (next to impossible now). In my trips their, I have found two good back country camping areas. One is just a few miles in on the trail north of the Oasis visitor center. The other is 12-15 miles in from the Oasis Visitor center just before the trail crosses the 11 mile road. GPS coordinates are N 25 57.451 W 080 56.841 With this summer dumping more than the average amount of rain, it will be a while until an ATV can make it their. If you want GPS coordinates of BC I have quite a few, let me know.

[Anoriginal]

Right now the water is very high in Big Cypress. In addition, many of the trails are in bad shape from Wilma. I'm going to my camp this weekend and will post my findings on how dry things look for camping.

Regardless, camping primitive in the back country is a lot of fun!

[Gamer]

Thank You guys.  We are planning to go sometime in January so hopefully things start to improve by then.  The only problem I see with Back Country camping is we would have to leave our trucks at the entrance to the access points and I don't think they would be very secure.  I'm assuming the best thing to do is leave our trucks at the Oasis Visitor Center and just leave from there on our ATV's to find a spot to camp at.

[sk8r_dude]

Look forward to the update anoriginal. In speaking to the rangers, they have not had a problem with breakins of vehicle at BC. I do share your concern, and the visitor center is probably the safest area. Monroe station is also very busy right off the highway and visable. People leave their tow vehicles for the weekend with no problem. My truck was broken into at Macks a while back so I am sensitive to this.

Keep in mind that sections of the trail in from the visitor center is terrible. Miles of coral rock holes for your small ATV tires to fall into. A few miles of this and your brains turn to scrambled eggs. I have gone a few times from Monroe Station to the Visitor Center and back and now I tend to stay away from the Oasis side of the trail.

[Gamer]

I personally would like to stay far away from the coral rock hole trails.  I've ridden on coral rock before and it's not fun.  Have you been on the Burns Lake trail before?  It seems that we can camp there and drive our ATV's from the camp to the designated trail entrance.  One thing I don't understand is why is Burns Lakes camping area only open from Nov 15th to Jan 1st and closed for the rest of the year.  Is it mainly for the hunters?

[Anoriginal]

Gamer:

I ususally park at Monroe station and have never had a problem (knocking on wood). During hunting season, there is usually a ranger at Monroe Station 24 hours per day. He and his wife run the check in program and stay in a large travel trailer on site.

If you want to stay off the coral rock roads, I'd suggest the Oasis trial and parking at the ranger's station. Concho Billie is a good choice too as both it and the Oasis Trail allow you to get of the coral trails realtively quickly. The Buckskin Trail is coral for a long way (4.5 miles). Also, there are some very nice spots to camp off the Concho Billie and Oasis trails.  However, the safest place to leave your tow rig is the ranger's station.

[Gamer]

Gamer:

I ususally park at Monroe station and have never had a problem (knocking on wood). During hunting season, there is usually a ranger at Monroe Station 24 hours per day. He and his wife run the check in program and stay in a large travel trailer on site.

If you want to stay off the coral rock roads, I'd suggest the Oasis trial and parking at the ranger's station. Concho Billie is a good choice too as both it and the Oasis Trail allow you to get of the coral trails realtively quickly. The Buckskin Trail is coral for a long way (4.5 miles). Also, there are some very nice spots to camp off the Concho Billie and Oasis trails.  However, the safest place to leave your tow rig is the ranger's station.

Were going to go get our permits and do a day ride so we can scope out an area to camp at.  We will try out the Oasis trail first.  When we go I'll let you know sk8r_dude in case you would like to give us a tour.     It won't be until they issue the new permits for next year though.  I don't see the Buckskin Trail on the map Anoriginal.  Which access point is it so we stay away from it.

[Anoriginal]

Buckskin is the same as Monroe

[sk8r_dude]

I have to renew my permits as well. My wife and I bought new ATV's this year and they wanted to charge me to reinspect the bikes. I figured that the summer wet season was here anyway and I would wait to renew when we can get a full year out of it. They do not pro-rate the permits.

[Gamer]

In the future I probably will be purchasing a two seater ATV since most places like Big Cypress won't let you tow passengers unless it's made too.  I have two kids that will start wanting to go out with me and Big Cypress won't even let them ride there own ATV until 16.  Talk about making it hard to bring your family out there.  I hope more companys (Like Yamaha  ) start making them.

[Gamer]

The park service just released the preliminary alternative's plan for the Addition Lands in Big Cypress.  I posted about it in the Open Discussion section.  Here it is....

http://www.atvflorida.com/forum/index.php/topic,8476.0.html