Alerts & Conditions

Alerts

Fire Update

As of 8/4/2026 at 5 p.m.

Bluegill Fire - press release
Started: 8/2/2026 at approx. 11:30 a.m.
Location: Along northern park boundary, 0.25 miles south of U.S. Highway 41 at MM26, approximately 9 miles east of Shark Valley and 8 miles west of Miccosukee Casino.
Size: 815 acres (no change from 8/3)
Fuels: grass, brush
Containment: 100%
Cause: Lightning
Closures: none

 

All Other General Openings & Closures

Open:

• All entrances and areas are open except for those noted below for special closures.

Closed:

• East Everglades Day Use Area on the park's northeastern boundary, encompassing SW 168 Street westbound to SW 237 Avenue and the entire roadway of SW 237 Avenue is closed to all public use to ensure public safety during construction operations with heavy machinery.
• Hog Key on the Gulf Coast is open for camping, but the middle of the key is closed.
• The interior of Pavilion Key is closed to protect vulnerable resources. The small campsite on the north end remains open for use by wilderness permit.
• The following wilderness sites are currently closed for maintenance: Lostman's Five Ground Site, Johnson Key Chickee, Shark Point Chickee, Little Rabbit Key Ground Site

Trail Conditions:

• Caution: Halfway Creek is not completely passable at this time. The trail is accessible from Sea Grape Drive in Big Cypress south towards the HC 1 marker. To complete the through-trip, paddlers must head west at the HC3 / L 15 marker, and continue following the L markers. Once across the “lake,” look for the L 14 marker. The numbers will continue to descend and take you to L 5 or L 6. From there, head west and you will come out by Everglades City. The trail is impassable from the L 3 marker up to the L 1 marker.
• Check here for trail information and conditions.
• Check here for updates on Wilderness Conditions.