Quick Facts:
- Topic: The Big Cypress ORV rule, a proposed change to 36 CFR 7.86 from the National Park Service.
- Published: October 2, 2026, in the Federal Register (91 FR 62682).
- Comments close: 11:59 p.m. EDT on December 1, 2026.
- Area affected: About 147,000 acres of the preserve, known as the Addition.
- Status: Proposed, not final. No new route opens when comments close.
- Vehicles covered: Trucks, swamp buggies and airboats fall under the ORV definition.
6 min read
In This Article
Overview: The Big Cypress ORV Rule in Brief
The Big Cypress ORV rule is a National Park Service proposal about ORV routes in a Florida preserve. It would let the superintendent designate routes on about 147,000 more acres. The Federal Register published it on October 2, 2026, and comments close December 1.
This proposal opens no trail overnight. Instead, it fixes a mapping gap in a 1979 regulation. Today, the special regulations give the superintendent no authority to allow recreational ORV use in the Addition. Congress added this land to the preserve in 1988.
Big Cypress has hosted ORV use since the 1930s, according to the Park Service. Because ORVs already run on designated trails in the Original Preserve, the open question is how far those routes extend.
| Key Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Rule title | Big Cypress National Preserve; Off-Road Motor Vehicles |
| Identifiers | RIN 1024-AE54, docket NPS-2026-0199, document 2026-20251 |
| Original Preserve | About 582,000 acres, covered by the 1979 ORV regulation |
| The Addition | About 147,000 acres added in 1988, north of Tamiami Trail |
| Map change | A November 1975 map is replaced by map 26-001, dated 5/1/2026 |
Big Cypress sits inside a swamp, so a stuck vehicle is a realistic risk on any designated route. Our field guide to off-road recovery covers the gear and methods. One option is the Rhino USA Recovery Tow Strap (3in x 20ft). It lists a 31,518 lb break strength and suits trucks, UTVs and ATVs.
Rhino USA Recovery Tow Strap (3in x 20ft) - 31,518lb Heavy Duty Towing | 31,518lb Break Strength Emergency Tow Strap. Heavy Duty Towing Rope for Truck, UTV, ATV & Jeep Offroad Recovery. Black
A rated strap belongs in the vehicle before you enter wet trail.
- Lists a 31,518 lb break strength
- Triple reinforced loop ends
- Fits trucks, UTVs, ATVs and Jeeps
- Listed as a static strap for flat-surface recovery, so it adds no stretch
What the Big Cypress ORV Rule Changes
The Original Preserve covers about 582,000 acres. Congress added roughly 147,000 more in 1988. However, the 1979 ORV regulation points to a November 1975 map, so the Addition never appears on it.
The proposed rule replaces two references to the old map with a map numbered 26-001 from 2026. It shows the current boundary. As a result, the same framework used in the Original Preserve would apply to the Addition. Beyond the map swap, the rule changes no other provision in the special regulations.
Designation would happen in the Superintendent’s Compendium, the written list of open routes and closures. The Park Service says the superintendent would complete site-specific surveys first and would use existing historic trails. In addition, a December 2024 Record of Decision allows ORV use on designated motor vehicle and airboat routes only. The same decision does not allow dispersed ORV use, so cross-country driving stays off the table.
Who Supports It and Who Opposes It
Supporters point to history and to planning. The Park Service, the main supporter, says people used ORVs across this land long before the preserve existed, and its release ties the change to hunting access, camps and backcountry recreation. It also says stakeholders expect the 2010 Addition Lands management plan to be carried out.
Opponents focus on wildlife. Elise Bennett, the Florida and Caribbean director of the Center for Biological Diversity, told WGCU the preserve supports dozens of endangered and threatened species. Off-road vehicles are incredibly impactful, she said. With the Park Service underfunded and understaffed, opening more land raises red flags, she added.
WGCU also notes the western edge of the affected land runs along State Road 29, which already ranks as a hotspot for Florida panther vehicle collisions. Meanwhile, the notice says the preserve holds 15 active traditional Miccosukee and Seminole villages. The Park Service consulted three tribes on the earlier backcountry plan. It decided this rule needs no tribal consultation because it has no substantial direct effect on tribes.
What This Means for You
Nothing changes on your trips this season if you never drive in south Florida. The proposal is not final, and no new route opens on December 1.
Other federal access decisions are moving at the same time. For example, our coverage of the Travel Management Rule revision and the LANDs Act shows how often access turns on a single notice. Likewise, our article on the Gates of the Arctic ORV rule covers another Park Service ORV proposal.
Current Rules in the Original Preserve
If you ride the Original Preserve now, expect the current rules to hold. First, every ORV needs an ORV permit sold through Recreation.gov. Next, vehicles must meet the inspection requirements in the Superintendent’s Compendium, and you are responsible for your own inspection. Trails open from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and you enter only through designated gates, closing and locking each one behind you.
Vehicle fit merits a second look. The regulation’s definition covers automobiles and trucks alongside swamp buggies, but only routes the superintendent designates count. Therefore, check the unit trail maps and the Compendium before you plan a run in a full-size truck. A route open to an all-terrain vehicle is not automatically open to your rig.
Tire pressure matters on soft ground and standing water, especially when you air down for a wet run. The VIAIR 88P lists a 120 PSI ceiling and support for tires up to 33 inches. Use it to air tires back up after the run.
VIAIR 88P 00088 12V Portable Air Compressor Kit for Car and Truck Tires | Portable 12V Air Compressor Delivers Up To 120 PSI For Cars, Trucks, SUVs, Jeeps, RVs, And Tires Up To 33 Inches.
A compact 12V compressor for airing tires back up after a soft-ground run.
- Lists up to 120 PSI output
- Rated for tires up to 33 inches
- Includes a 16 ft hose and built-in gauge
- Lists a 25 minute duty cycle at 30 PSI, so long fills need rest breaks
How to Comment by December 1
You have three ways to file. First, go to federalregister.gov, search for RIN 1024-AE54 and press the Submit a Public Comment button. Second, use regulations.gov with docket NPS-2026-0199. Third, mail a hard copy to the Superintendent, Big Cypress National Preserve, 33100 Tamiami Trail E, Ochopee, FL 34141.
The Park Service will not accept comments by fax, by email or in any other way. Each submission must include the words National Park Service or NPS, along with the docket number or the RIN 1024-AE54. Comments are public, so the Park Service posts your text online, personal details included. On October 27, the Federal Register page showed 166 comments received.
Short comments tied to a specific trail, a hunting access need or a resource concern give reviewers something to act on. The full proposal runs four pages.
Final Thoughts
If you hunt, camp or ride in south Florida, this proposal merits your attention. The map change looks small, yet it decides who holds the authority to designate routes across 147,000 acres. Supporters and opponents both have real stakes, and neither side has a simple case.
My advice is to read the four-page notice yourself before you comment. It is short, and it shows exactly what the Park Service asks and what it leaves for later. Also, watch the Superintendent’s Compendium, because the route decisions themselves live there.
More designated trails would mean more access for hunters and riders, while opponents warn of added pressure on wildlife. If you plan to ride, file your comment by December 1 and check the unit maps before you load the truck. Whichever side you take, a plain, honest comment beats silence.
FAQ
What is the Big Cypress ORV rule?
It is a National Park Service proposal to update the ORV regulation for Big Cypress National Preserve. The change would replace a 1975 map with a current one, which would let the superintendent designate routes in the 147,000-acre Addition.
When are Big Cypress ORV rule comments due?
Comments must arrive by 11:59 p.m. EDT on December 1, 2026. File through federalregister.gov or regulations.gov, or mail a copy to the superintendent.
Does the Big Cypress ORV rule open new trails right away?
No. The rule would only give the superintendent authority to designate routes. Surveys come first, and the Park Service says it would use existing historic trails.
Do I need an ORV permit to ride in Big Cypress National Preserve?
Yes. Every ORV needs an ORV permit sold through Recreation.gov, and vehicles must pass the inspection requirements in the Superintendent’s Compendium.
Are trucks allowed on Big Cypress ORV trails?
The ORV definition includes trucks and automobiles. However, only designated routes are open, so check the unit trail maps for each route before you go.
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