This event has already taken place. It is published here as a completed record and as the template every future event page follows. Upcoming events will carry the same detail plus registration and waiver information.
What happened
A full family meetup built to work for people who had never camped in the preserve before. The day opened with a drivers' briefing covering the route, radio channels, recovery order and trail etiquette, with newcomers paired to experienced spotters before anything moved.
Guided rides ran through legal preserve routes at a family pace. Back at camp, the South Dade GMRS Club ran radio demonstrations and Parks on the Air activations while kids activities and a cookout lunch went on alongside. Twelve registered vehicles stayed overnight under some of the darkest skies left in South Florida.
Day visitors were welcome throughout and did not need to register for camping.
- Location
- Pinecrest Group Campground, Big Cypress National Preserve, Collier County
- Date
- May 2026
- Category
- Community · Family · Education
- Difficulty
- Easy. Suitable for stock high clearance vehicles in dry conditions.
- Vehicle requirements
- High clearance recommended. Recovery points and a full tank. No modifications required.
- Family suitability
- Yes. Kids activities ran throughout the afternoon.
- Camping
- Limited to twelve vehicles, advance registration required. Day visitors unrestricted.
- Safety
- Drivers' briefing mandatory. Convoy travel only. Radios issued or loaned to every vehicle.
- Permits
- Preserve camping permit held by the Foundation for the group site.
- Partners
- South Dade GMRS Club
- What to bring
- Water for two days, food, camp chair, insect repellent, sun protection, closed shoes, gloves for cleanup.