The area is managed by the USDA Forest Service , which regulates human activities in order to preserve its unique botanical characteristics.
Public access is provided by a parking area and boardwalk.
However, most of the Botanical Area is closed to the public except for legitimate scientific and educational purposes. These wetlands are unusual in that they are home to plants and animals typically found much further north. The characteristics of the Glades have been determined largely by the local topography and recent climatic changes. The Glades occupy a nearly level valley bottom at an elevation of approximately 3200 feet at a latitude of 38 deg 12 min North. The surrounding mountains rise to about 4500 feet and almost completely enclose the valley.