Turner River Road - CR 839

The Turner River Road, also known as County Road 839, starts at US 41 at the south end next to the H.P. Williams Wildlife Viewing Area and ends at Bear Island Trail and Campground in the north part of the Big Cypress National Preserve. The Turner River Road Scenic Drive takes you through open prairies, stands of Bald Cypress, and Slash Pine. The canal next to the trail provides the opportunity for observation of alligators and wading birds along the way. The road conditions are a mixture of packed sand, loose sand, and some deep holes that can turn into 2 feet deep mud holes after rainy days. The road is always wide enough for two vehicles to pass. 4WD and high clearance are recommended. All vehicles must be street-legal. The freshwaters of the Big Cypress Swamp, essential to the health of the neighboring Everglades, support the rich marine estuaries along Florida's southwest coast. Conserving over 729,000 acres of this vast swamp, Big Cypress National Preserve contains a mixture of tropical and temperate plant communities that are home to diverse wildlife, including the Endangered Florida panther.