ATV Florida Forum

Anyone been to Big Cypress lately?

I thought ATV's were not allowed in the Big Cypress unless you were a camp owner or were with a camp owner.  are permits still being given?

yup...  as long as you renew your permit, your good.

The Big Cypress isn't an ATV riding area.  In addition, the ORV permits are $100 per year and you must have an ORV operator's license to operate an ORV in the Big Cypress.  Also, you must stay on designated trails and the maximum speed limit is 15mph. All of these rules are strictly enforced. Violating any of the rules will net you a very expensive ticket and a notice to appear. Keep in mind, it's a national preserve.  That means the rules and enforcement are done at a federal level.

I own a camp in the Big Cypress and actually just returned home today from a 4 day trip. The park Rangers are all over the place and have zero tolerance for ATV riders. After years and years of trouble from the ATV riders in the preserve,  I can't say I blame them.

Im sure that not every single atv user is a criminal and out to break the rules at the big cypress. Access is a privelegde and should be allowed as long as the rules & guidelines are followed.  just seems like a select few that dont know ORV ettiquette or atleast dont respect it.  I love my hobby and enjoy it without issue or incident.     

It was (and remains) more than just "a select few". Unfortunately, just like they did in the Holeylands, ATV riders have ruined things for themselves in the Big Cypress. 

It ain't no Bartertown for mutants riding unreliable vehicles fueled by pig feces! It's extreme terrain, under deep water, most of the year. You can't park anywhere close to the trails, so, you must bring food/drink and if you have mechanical trouble, good luck getting your arse towed back through MILES of deep water. You ain't walking back and 4x4 is a MUST!

I was there last year and we encountered the law a few times.  Each time was very pleasant and never gave us an issue.  Keep in mind that its just a handful of us and we just enjoyed the ride, not there to tare up.   

The only issue we had was one trail that came close to someone's camp.  We stayed on the designated trail but the shack owner was drunk and started to shoot his gun as we drove by.. Again, we never came off the trail.  Since we had a few kids under 16 riding with us, the group never returned.

We were later tracked down by the cop who was pushing us to press charges (or whatever he wanted, but we declined).   He was the one who told us that the guy was drunk and shooting his gun in the air to scare us off (the cops words).  The COP was the one who heard the shots and when he went to the camp he found the guy sitting there with his gun.... good day to be a ranger?

I guess the responsible ATVers are scared off by the crazy land owners and the responsible land owners are scared off by the crazy ATVers....     LET THE FUN BEGIN!   lol, just kidding..   

Yeah....nothing you said about the gun shooting went on. You're lying. Here's how I know.

There's only one camp in the cypress that has a designated trail going right beside it where you can see the yard. I know the people very well that own it. They're not drunks or rednecks. The only other trails that go right beside a camp yard are the ones designated "Landowner Authorized" and those drive right up into a camp and not along side a yard.

Also, I know the Rangers down there and talk to them. I would have heard about this.

Moreover, the "cop" you're talking about had no business or right to go onto anyone's property in the Big Cypress as he would have been trespassing (not that any of it actually happened anyway). And, of course, cops have ZERO say about who can and cannot press charges, that's the state attorney's office....or in the case of the Big Cypress, the Federal DA. Never mind the fact that a person can legally fire a gun on his property in the Big Cypress all he wants without any issue.

Finally, kids under 16 can't operate an ATV in the Big Cypress and can only ride on ATV designed for two or more.


Lies don't help anyone.

hahaha so much for riding in safe,secure goverment park and being shot at too..ive been riding in public lands ( or where ever I disagree feels like riding all my life) and ive never been shot at hahaha..ills till to public land its safer.

You're a moron.

No lie..  I have no reason to lie, the place is very nice and I love going there..  The rangers have always been great and everyone I have met has always been nothing but humble.  I was only mentioning what happened to us last year, sorry if you dont believe me..  As for the kids, yes, they are too young for the park on atv's, luckily they are happy on side by sides.

Okay then, what trail were you on when you allegedly ran across this camp owner? Also, how did the so called cop track you down? Where did he track you down?

I can see how important this is to you... I mean this with the utmost respect; I would have listed the trail info AND the rangers info if I had knew it. It sounds like you have strong feelings about the park which is a good thing.  If I had the specifics and gave it to you,  I have a feeling you would verify that its true and may even pick a bone with the guy (once you verified it).   Sorry I cant help, but I am sure the rangers dont come across too many people shooting their guns.   I think we parked in the "Monroe Station" (where the little old lady is) and where the rangers were when we spoke to them.    Hope that helps!

"rangers dont come across too many people shooting their guns" as in shooting their guns around ATV trails... obviously guns and hunting kinda go together..