BROWARD SIERRA GROUP INVITES YOU TO JOIN US IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS
The BSG Outings Committee has been busy at work planning out some engaging and exciting events for all of us over this year! A concerted search has now brought our total Outings Leaders up to seven for the BSG, but we are always looking for more. If you, or anyone you know may be interested in leading a group of club members in an activity that they are passionate about, please reach out to Jordan Holaday at outreachbrowardsierra@gmail.com.
APRIL 2026: BIG CYPRESS CAMPING TRIP
Outing: Big Cypress Camping Trip
Where: Bear Island Campground, Big Cypress National Preserve, FL
When: April 24, 2026, 4:00 PM - April 26, 2026 10:00 AM (Eastern)
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT. Click here to register!
When you register, please read all the details and what to pack.
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. Protecting over 720,000 acres of this vast swamp, Big Cypress National Preserve contains a mixture of tropical and temperate plant communities that are home to a diversity of wildlife, including the elusive Florida Panther.
Bear Island Campground is a primitive campground only accessible down a 20-mile secondary gravel road. Campsites have gravel or grass pads. It offers vault toilets, picnic tables, shared food storage, and fire rings. There is no water available. Make sure to bring PLENTY of fresh water!
We will meet at the Bear Island Campground on Friday, April 24th at 4PM to set up camp. There are four tents allowed per campsite, and we have several campsites reserved.
FRIDAY, April 24th
We can take a hike on Friday afternoon in the park if time permits, then we will have dinner around the campfire. (Bring your own Friday night dinner.) We will have a kitchen and eating area on the campsite. That is where we will all meet for meals. When the sun sets, we will enjoy the evening with some stargazing. We will also be going on an optional 2 mile night hike to experience these woods through a nocturnal lens!
SATURDAY, April 25th
On Saturday morning we will have breakfast, pack our lunches, and we will go on a 11 mile hike led by our Outings Leader Jordan. We will be walking along backcountry trails to the Gator Head campground and back, enjoying pristine cypress swamp and lakes along the way. The ORV trails throughout the park are great for biking, should you want to bring your own. When we return we will have lunch provided by Sierra Club and relax until dinner. We can wander around the park.
Please be sure to bring a minimum of 80 ounces of water on our outings. You will have to carry your own water and it's a good idea to wear a backpack to carry the water.
Dinner will be provided by the Sierra Club. We are having your choice of chicken or vegetarian fajitas.
SUNDAY, April 26th
On Sunday morning, we will have breakfast and pack up the campsite. After, feel free to enjoy southwest Florida and the surrounding area before heading back home, or join some members for a trip down to Everglades City.