Bear Island Grade

Trail Overview

This trail is located within the National Park Services Big Cypress National Preserve. A special off-road vehicle (ORV) permit and vehicle inspection are required before accessing this trail. Vehicles must be equipped with working 4-wheel drive and pass the required inspection before being allowed to purchase the ORV permit. The permit is $100 at the time of this writing. Access to this trail is via Turner River Road, then through the locked access gate located at Bear Island Road and Perocchi Grade. Turner River Road and Bear Island Road are hard-packed limestone roads. They can have ruts, wash boarding, and minor washes. Overall, they are easily traversed in 2-wheel drive. Perocchi Grade, leading to Bear Island Grade, is narrow and has challenges. See that trail description for more information. Bear Island Grade is a short, graded trail that has primitive camping spots. A good chance to observe Florida wildlife is possible. 4 wheel drive is required to obtain the access permit, but not necessary to drive this trail. The trail is hard-packed and graded, mostly wide enough for two vehicles. Some narrow spots with drop-offs into the swamp or soft shoulders are possible, so always look ahead. Vehicle access on the trail ends about halfway, where you will be required to turn around and backtrack out. The ORV permit office is open Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays from 9:00. am -1:30pm at the Nathaniel P. Reed Visitor Center (33000 Tamiami Trail East. Ochopee, FL 34141.) Permits will be issued on a first come, first-served basis. Contact the Off-Road Vehicle Permitting Office at 239-631-9988 Fri-Mon during operation hours with questions.

Photos of Bear Island Grade

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Difficulty

This is an easy-going, evenly graded, packed trail.

Technical Rating