Landowners

Requesting Landowner Access Package:

• A special use permit is required to access your backcountry property.
• Your package includes a letter, individual permit number, and map for each permit.
• You are allowed up to 6 guest permits for each owner.
• Your permit is valid for 2 years and ask that you request renewal 30 days before your permit expires. This gives us enough time for the landowner to sign and return permits, and for the NPS official to sign and authorize.

Landowner Access Permit Conditions:

1. A copy of this permit and designated trail map must be in your possession when crossing closed or restricted Preserve lands.
2. Permittee exercising ingress/egress rights must meet all regulatory and permit requirements, including possessing an ORV Operators' Permit and current ORV Inspection Sticker [36CFR 7.86 (a) (3)].
3. Weapons must be unloaded, packed, or cased and stored in a manner that will prevent their ready use [36 CFR 2.4 (a)(3)].
4. Dogs must be under physical restraint or in a dog box at all times when crossing federal lands. Dogs are restricted to the permittee's property and must comply with all applicable State and local laws or ordinances.
5. Recreational operators of ORVs must possess a Big Cypress National Preserve ORV Vehicle Permit, ORV Operator's Permit, backcountry permit and current ORV Inspection Sticker [36CFR 7.86 (a) (3)] while traveling within the Preserve.
6. The designated travel route may be changed by the Superintendent or her/his representative upon written notice to the permittee.
7. When traveling under the auspices of this permit, private landowners are permitted reasonable ORV access to their property on a designated trail. Beyond that, they have no special privileges and may not deviate from their designated route or conduct other activities along the way when they are traveling by ORV from their designated Access Point to and from their property.
8. Permittee must make application for renewal 30 days prior to the expiration date.

Fire Information for Landowners:

• Information regarding burning on private property:
  • In-holders have the right to burn their land. However, it needs to stay on their land. If it comes on to federal lands, it will be considered a wildfire and need to be put out.
  • If an in-holder is planning on burning and they get approval from the State, a courtesy call to the Big Cypress Fire Duty Officer number will be appreciated.
• Florida Interagency Dispatch Center: 850-523-8600
• Big Cypress Fire Duty Officer: 561-923-5228
• View the 5-Year Burn Plan

Off-Road Vehicle Office:

Landowners must acquire a separate ORV permit in addition to the Landowner Access permit if using trails outside their designated access route.

Off-Road Vehicle Use - Big Cypress National Preserve (U.S. National Park Service)

Additional Policy Documents and Information:

Landowners Q&A Document - 2005

Memorandum: Location of Backcountry Camps

Land Protection Plan for Big Cypress National Preserve

Contact Information: