Big Cypress has reopened to hiking after a series of prescribed burns and wildfires. However, hikers report finding no water at all between Oasis up through 7 Mile Camp. Use caution and carry an abundance of water if you head into the swamp, even on a day hike. Alligators and other wildlife will cluster around what little water remains during the dry season. The wet season begins when daily summer rains start. Meanwhile, there is a high risk of wildfire due to lightning strikes. In fact, there are near-daily press releases going out from Big Cypress National Preserve regards wildfires throughout the preserve, including ones in areas adjoining the Florida Trail.
Access to the Southern Terminus is currently blocked due to construction at the Visitor Complex and may remain so through the end of April.
To get a handle on probable water levels, see the current comparision between current outflow (blue line) vs. median daily statistic at the water gauges located EAST and WEST of the Florida Trail at Oasis.
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