In association with Hikercentral.com
and Goingoutside.com
In association with Hikercentral.com
and Goingoutside.com
Check out my paddling info site, hope you like it.
Canoeing in the wilderness can be dangerous if you don't have all the items below with you.
| TENT | If I'm pretty sure the weather is going to be all right I don't bring a tent, it's much nicer to sleep under the stars. Just bring a tarp to make a shelter with just in case. | |
| FIRST AID KIT | You can gather all the medical supplies you might need but it's a lot easier to just buy one of those little first aid kits, they're pretty cheap anyway. | |
| SLEEPING BAG | Normally I don't like to spend too much money on paddling equipment, mostly you just pay for the brand name. But in the case of sleeping bags it may be worth it to spend a few extra bucks. Get a good one, not a very cheap one. | |
| STOVE | There's only one
word you need to know when it comes to camp stoves and that is:
"Trailstove" or is that two words? Either way the Stratus Trailstove is the best choice
by far. It may sound weird these days but the Trailstove burns wood, not
compressed gas or liquid fuel. It is quite light, about a pound (a little
below I think), sells for 20 dollars (quite a bargain). The thing I like
most about my Trailstove is its reliability, you will never have any trouble with this stove ever, and you never ever run out of fuel. | |
| MOSQUITO COILS | The only way to totally avoid mosquitoes is to go paddling in the winter, but in the summer you need to use mosquito coils. | |
| CAMP SAW | It's good to have either a camp saw or a camping axe with you to cut wood. Camp saws are a lot lighter than camp axes but axes are faster and less tiring to use. If you're not planning to do a very large amount of woodcutting a saw is probably a better idea. But in the wintertime it may be worth it to bring an axe. | |
| MULTI PURPOSE TOOL | Leatherman tools have the great pliers, but Swiss army knives have all those little useful gadgets. |
Make emergency snowshoes
Making a pair of emergency snowshoes to get to safety is extremely simple. It's surprising how many people try to get to safety in knee deep snow and drop from exhaustion.
Find two stocky branches about 3 feet long with plenty of small branches and plenty of green, preferably from a fir tree but other trees will do if there are no firs in the area.
Tie one branch to each foot at the front end of the branch. Thread the string through something on the front of your boot otherwise your foot will slip out of the binding. Make sure your foot can swivel enough to walk, the snowshoe should drag on the snow slightly in the back.
That's it, you're ready to go!
Ochopee, FL
The 729,000 acre Big Cypress National Preserve was set aside in 1974 to ensure the preservation, conservation, and protection of the natural scenic, floral and faunal, and recreational values of the Big Cypress Watershed. The importance of this watershed to the Everglades National Park was a major consideration for its establishment. The name Big Cypress refers to the large size of this area. Vast expanses of cypress strands span this unique landscape.
CONTACTS
Email - sandy_snell-dobert@nps.gov
Fax- 941-695-3007
Write to
HCR 61, Box 110
Ochopee, FL 33141
Phone
Headquarters - 941-695-2000
Visitor Information
Recorded Message - 941-695-4111
TRAVEL BASICS
Operating Hours,
Seasons
Daily except December 25, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m
Getting There
PLANE - Miami International Airport services
the area from the east coast, Ft. Myers International Airport from the
west coast.
CAR - I-75, state road 29, and U.S. 41 all travel through the preserve
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - There is no public transportation within the Preserve.
Weather & Climate
The climate is sub-tropical, with mild
winters and hot, wet summers. Light weight clothing is suggested for hot
temperatures. Long sleeves, pants, sturdy shoes, and bug repellent will
make hiking more pleasant.
Accessibility
The visitor center's entrance is accessible
with assistance pending installation of accessible doors. Inside the
visitor center, restrooms, information desk, and preserve film are
accessible. The film is also captioned for the hearing impaired.
Getting Around
The preserve includes 31 miles of the Florida
Trail which can be very wet in the rainy season. The Tree Snail Hammock
Nature Trail is a short, self-guided trail located on Loop Road. Two
scenic drives through the preserve provide leisurely wildlife viewing. The
Loop Road is a 26-mile, single-lane, unimproved road beginning and ending
on highway 41. Turner River Road and Birdon Road form a u-shaped, 17-mile
graded-dirt drive.
FEES/PERMITS
Entrance Fee
ENTRANCE
FEE
Free!
Permits
O.R.V. PERMIT
$50.00 for
Annual
Permits for O.R.V. use can be obtained through the visitor
center.
CAMPING
Bear Island
Open
All Year
Primitive camping with no water or rest room
facilities
Midway
Primitive camping with no water or rest
room facilities. Open as needed during main visitor use season. Call
941-695-4111 for information.
Mitchell's Landing
Open All
Year
Primitive camping with no water or rest room
facilities
Monument
Open All Year
Monument campground
has flush toilets and water available. An outside, cold water shower is
also available. The $14.00 per night fee includes use of the dump station
at Dona Drive in Ochopee. NO HOOKUPS for electricity, sewer or water are
available in any of the National Park Service campgrounds in the Preserve.
Pinecrest
Open All Year
Primitive camping with no
water or rest room
facilities
LODGING
Various small motels and
campgrounds
Several small motels and private campgrounds can be
found around the Everglades City and Ochopee areas.
FACILITIES
Visitor Centers
VISITOR
CENTER
Open All Year 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Phone -
941-695-4111
Location - On Tamiami Trail (U.S.41) approximately
half-way between Naples and Miami.
Closures - The visitor
center is closed on December 25.
Exhibits - The visitor center
offers a 15-minute movie about the preserve, a wildlife exhibit and book
sales
Some content donated by Hikercentral.com and the National Park Service