The Fire Prairie Trail is open to both hikers and bikers, winding through a beautiful wooded area along side a canal and through the grasslands of the Deep Lake Backcountry Unit in the Big Cypress National Preserve. Like many trails in this area, it follows an old dirt road, as many are in the preserve. To protect the environment from the damage caused by swamp buggies and ATVs that previously traversed the land, the existing roads were transformed into park trails. With a flat terrain and a smooth surface, it’s a fantastic route suitable for anyone who can walk five miles. When the trail is dry, there’s no need for hiking poles or specialized footwear. However, it’s important to remain on the established tire tracks, as there are large fire ant hills that can be difficult to see in the grass.