ORV Travel Tips From Tread Lightly€¦ · of your travel plans. - Check the weather forecast...
Transcript of ORV Travel Tips From Tread Lightly€¦ · of your travel plans. - Check the weather forecast...
Big CypressNational Preserve
National Park ServiceU.S. Department of the Interior
Turner River Unit Trails as of 08/01/2014 Effective 8/1/2014, following the 60-day recreational ORV closure, only the designated primary trails in the backcountry will be open to recreational ORV use and access. All secondary trails will remain closed on an interim basis for an additional 60-days in an effort to resolve a lawsuit brought against the NPS related to the process in which the secondary trails were selected and analyzed for inclusion into the designated trail network.
For updates on trail maps refer to backcountry access kiosks, go to the Oasis ORV Office or visit www.nps.gov/bicy
Travel along marked designated trails will ensure the protection of Preserve resources and your privilege to enjoy the backcountry on ORVs.
Turner River Unit
Corn Dance Unit
Addition Lands
Bear Island Unit
Dee
p La
ke U
nit
Turn
er R
iver
Roa
d
U. S. 41 (Tamiami Trail)
Loop
Roa
d
Little Deer
Interstate 75
Windmill Prairie
Airplane Prairie
MulletSlough
Bur
ns L
ake
Roa
d
Trail Lakes Campground(Commercial Property)
Turner River Canoe Launch
Burns Lake Campgroundand Backcountry Access Point
Preserve/Unit BoundaryPrimary Trails (126 miles)
Roads Secondary Trail Intersection22
Florida National Scenic Trail0 1 2 3 4 5Miles
Oasis Access PointVisitor CenterORV Office
Monroe Station North Access
Monroe StationWildlife Check Station
Monument Lake Campground
Skillet Strand North Access Point
H. P. WilliamsRoadside Park
Windmill Tram Access Point
Concho BillieAccess Point
Turner River Road NorthAccess Point
Fire Prairie Trail
Bear Island CampgroundWildlife Check Station
MM 70 Walk-in Access MM 63 Walk-in Access
Lost Dog Prairie
Mud Lake
Poppenhager’s
64
17
16
1514
13
11
62
61
12
10 9
863
2425
26
27
28
29
7
6
60
45
72
3
712
7069
168
67
66
65
31
3633
3435
41
42
74
48
49
5073
5152
53
54
56
57
55
5958
21
20
18
19
22
45
44
4647
23
Bamboos
Aus
tin’s
Stra
nd
Upper Wagon WheelRoad
Florida
National
Scenic Trail(O
RV C
rossings
at DesignatedPoints Only)
Zone 1
Zone 2Loop Unit Midway
CampgroundDump Station
77
75
83
7678
85
CLOSED Secondary Trails
86Ba
mbo
osTr
ail
Land H
Trail
Conch
o
BillieTrail
Concho B
illie Trail
Bur
ns L
ake
Sout
hTr
ail
Windmill Tram
Burn
sLak
e
Nor
thTr
ail
StumpCam
pTrail
Skill
etSt
rand
North
Trail
Left
Han
d of
Ski
llet
Poppen
hager
Trail
Mon
roe
Nor
th
Sandy
Road
Roa
dSa
ndy
Monument Bypass
Monument Trail
Mon
umen
t Tra
il
Monum
ent Trail
Concho B
illie TrailMud Lake
Bypass
Mud
Lake
Trai
l
Lost
Dog
Trail
Buck
skin
Buck
skin
Bucks
kin
Boot
Hill
West
Trail
Raccoon
Point
Little Deer
Little
Deer
NorthLittle
Deer
Oasis
Oasis
Oasis
Oasis
Oasis
Fennell
Camp
Trail
Rock Road
Trail Name Trail Identifier
1.3
2.6
2
1.9
1.5
2.2
2.3
Approximate Distance (Miles)2.2
1.5
2.8
1.4
5
3.2
2.9
4
2.8
3.1
1.2
4.7
3.1
3
1.5
3.1
2.3
2.5
1.7
5.5
2.8
2
2.6
3.4
1.2
2.9
1.4
3.3
2.8
3
2.1
1.12.8
4.3
2.3
3.7
3.7
6
3.6
3.2
5.1
2.1
1.9
1.2
3.4
2
2.9
6.1 4
9.8
3.3
9.7
The freshwaters of the Big Cypress Swamp, essential to the health of the neighboring Everglades, support the rich marine estuaries along Florida’s southwest coast. Protecting over 720,000 acres of this vast swamp, Big Cypress National Preserve contains a mixture of tropical and temperate plant communities that are home to a diversity of wildlife, including the elusive Florida Panther.
Remote areas of the Preserve are challenging to reach by foot, generations have explored these areas by homemade airboats or swamp buggies. Today, people continue to enjoy this traditional recreational activity.
The following off-road vehicles (ORVs) are allowed on the trails in the Turner River Unit: ATVs and swamp buggies.
ORV use within the Turner River Unit is allowed on designated trails only. These trails are marked with markers that show trail routes. All other trails within the unit are closed to recreational ORV use. Bicycles are allowed only on open ORV trails. Hiking is allowed anywhere within the unit.
ORV Rules
ORV use is prohibited between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
ORV speed limit is 15 mph.
Ensure that your vehicle meets the applicable requirements.
ORV permit sticker is required.
ORV inspection sticker is required.
An ORV operator’s permit (with photo), a valid driver’s license, or learner’s permit, is required of all persons operating an ORV. If the operator has a learner’s permit, s/he must be accompanied by or within 100 feet of a licensed/permitted adult 18 years or older.
Riding double on ATVs is prohibited, unless the vehicle
was manufactured for such purposes.
Riding in, or on, any trailer being towed by an ORV is prohibited.
Consumption of alcohol or possession of an open container of alcohol in or on a motor vehicle, including off-road vehicles, is prohibited.
Tread Lightly
Various trails within the unit may be difficult for some vehicles to traverse. Know the limitations of your vehicle and your off-roading skills. Stay on designated trails at all times.
Respect the rights of others including private property owners, all recreational trail users, campers and others. Allow them to enjoy their recreational activities undisturbed.
Do your part by leaving the area better than you found it by properly disposing of waste, minimizing the use of fire and avoiding the spread of invasive species.
Things to Remember
A backcountry permit is required for all modes of backcountry travel. Permits may be obtained at access points or at the Hunter Check Station.
Bicycle riding within the Turner River Unit, and other areas of the Preserve, is allowed along designated ORV trail routes only.
Dispersed camping continues to be allowed within the unit. You may drive your ORV to a location along a designated trail nearest the camping spot you prefer, park your ORV along the shoulder of the trail, in such manner that does not impede travel by others, and carry your camping equipment in to the campsite.
Camp fires may be banned during high fire danger.
Check bulletin boards for postings regarding special regulations.
Within the backcountry the possession of dogs (other than bird dogs and waterfowl retrievers for hunting purposes during appropriate seasons) is prohibited.
Please know and follow all Big Cypress National Preserve and Florida State hunting rules and regulations.
As of February 22, 2010, a new federal law allows people who can legally possess firearms under applicable federal, state, and local laws, to legally possess firearms in the preserve. It is the responsibility of visitors to understand and comply with all applicable state, local, and federal firearms laws before entering this preserve. Federal law prohibits firearms in certain facilities in this park; those places are marked with signs at entrances.
Hunting within campgrounds is not allowed.
Emergency Numbers
National Park Service Emergency Dispatch1-800-788-0511#NPS on cell phones
For more information on
Big Cypress National Preserve, visitwww.nps.gov/bicy
Hunting in Florida, visitwww.myfwc.com/hunting
Responsible ORV recreation, visitwww.treadlightly.org
Turner River Unit Trails
ORV Travel Tips From Tread LightlyTravel responsibly on designated roads, trails, and areas. - Stay on the trail even if it is rough and muddy. Driving trail edge widens trails, causes erosion, and visual scarring. - Comply with all signs and barriers.
Respect the rights of others including private property owners and all recreational trail users, campers and others to allow them to enjoy their recreational activities undisturbed. - Be considerate of others on the trail. - Respect private landowners, don’t travel on posted land.
Educate yourself by obtaining travel maps and regulations from public agencies, planning for your trip, taking recreation skills classes, and knowing how to use and operate your equipment safely. - It is your responsibility to contact the land manager to learn of any permit requirements, closures or restrictions. - Obtain a map of your destination and determine which areas are open to your type of travel. - Make a realistic plan, and stick to it. Always tell someone of your travel plans. - Check the weather forecast before you go.
Avoid sensitive areas such as open prairies. Stay on designated routes. - Avoid “spooking” wildlife you encounter.
Do your part by leaving the area better than you found it, properly disposing of waste, minimizing the use of fire, avoiding the spread of invasive species, restoring degraded areas, and joining a local enthusiast organization. - Pack out all trash. - Carry a trash bag on your vehicle and pick up litter left by others. - Practice minimum impact camping by using established sites or durable surfaces. - Before and after your trip, wash your gear and support vehicle to reduce the spread of invasive species.