Lake Kissimmee State Park
Florida’s Cowboy Heritage Comes Alive With Living History Demonstrations In An
1876-Era Cow Camp, Presented By The Florida Cowboy Heritage Foundation.
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Florida’s Cowboy Heritage Comes Alive With Living History Demonstrations In An
1876-Era Cow Camp, Presented By The Florida Cowboy Heritage Foundation.
Living History Demonstrations Of Early Florida Cow Hunters In An 1876-
Era Cow Camp Bring Florida’s History To Life, Bringing The State’s
Heritage To Life (Currently Unavailable).
Among the wildlife that have been observed in the park, which is located on the shores of the lakes Kissimmee, Tiger, and Rosalie, are white-tail deer, bald eagles, sandhill cranes, turkeys, and bobcats.
Boating, canoeing, and fishing are popular activities among visitors in the picturesque lakes. The abundant plant and animal life can be observed and studied by nature students as they hike along the 13-mile network of trails.
Equestrians can ride on six miles of trails that are available. There is a large, shaded picnic area with pavilions available for guests.
There are full-facility campsites as well as a primitive camping facility available at the park. Youth camping can accommodate up to 50 people in the designated area. Because of the dark skies, stargazing is a popular nighttime activity for camping enthusiasts.
The park is located off State Road 60, about 15 miles east of Lake Wales, and is accessible by car.
Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park Offers A Variety Of Seasonal Activities.
Lake Kissimmee State Park provides excellent opportunities for birders to observe a variety of species. The abundance of water, wetlands, and a diverse range of habitats in the park provide birders with opportunities to observe a variety of waterfowl and birds of prey.
The Florida scrub-jay can be found in large numbers throughout the park’s scrub habitat.
The Kissimmee Chain of Lakes contains 35,000 acres of water, which you can explore by boat. From the park, you can launch your boat and explore the lake and the neighbouring lakes and creeks. The activities that can be enjoyed while boating include wildlife viewing, sightseeing, bass fishing, and pan fishing in some of Florida’s most pristine waterways.
A boat ramp and marina are located on the grounds of the park. Wind-blown debris, which has the potential to obstruct the canal and marina, may have an impact on daily access and use of the boat ramp and marina facilities. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused and are working to find a more permanent solution to this problem.
There are sixty campsites available, all of which have electric and water hookups. There is a dump station in the neighborhood. The camping area is located within an oak hammock, which provides shade and a natural buffer for a bit of seclusion while also providing some privacy.
A boat ramp and marina, as well as trails, a playground, and an observation tower with a panoramic view of Lake Kissimmee, are among the park’s many amenities. Pets that are well-behaved are welcome in the campground, subject to the terms of our Pet Policy.
Reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance, depending on availability. Reservations can be made online at the Florida State Parks reservations website or by calling 800-326-3521 or TDD 888-433-0287.
Lake Kissimmee State Park offers primitive equestrian camping for horseback riders. Prepare ahead of time because there will be no water, electricity, or restrooms available.
Pets are welcome, but only in accordance with our Animal Policy. If you would like more information or to make a reservation, please contact the ranger station at 863-696-1112.
Two primitive camping sites are located on the park’s 13 miles of hiking trails, which are perfect for those who prefer to get back to nature. Everything, including water, must be brought in on a backpack.
Each picnic site has two picnic tables as well as two ground grills. There are no facilities available at either of the campsites. Individuals and groups are welcome to use the sites, which can accommodate a maximum of 12 people per site. It is required that at least one member of the camping party be 18 years of age or older. A minimum of three hours before sunset is required for campers’ arrival at
the park.
Pets are permitted in the primitive campsites if they adhere to our Pet Policy, which can be found here. If you want to reserve a primitive campsite, you can do so by calling the park at 863-696-1112.
Lake Kissimmee State Park offers two primitive youth tent camping sites for visitors under the age of 18. Each campsite can accommodate a maximum of 25 campers. Each campsite can only be used if a minimum of 12 campers are present. The campsites are tucked away off the beaten path and provide plenty of shade thanks to the presence of live oaks that cover the majority of the camping area.
Cold showers, restrooms, picnic tables, and benches around a fire pit are among the amenities available. In fact, the parking lot is less than 200 feet away from the construction sites. Pets are permitted in the youth camping areas if they adhere to our Pet Policy, which is available here. Reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance, depending on availability. Reservations for youth campsites can be made by calling the park at 863-696-1112.
White-tailed deer, bobcat, bald eagles, sandhill cranes, turkeys, and other wildlife can be seen on the park’s 13 miles of hiking trails, which also include a nature centre. Forest flatwoods and oak hammocks are encountered along with freshwater marshes and a view of Lake Kissimmee from the trails. A self-guided nature trail, two loop trails, and a spur trail that leads out to the lake are all available for your exploring pleasure.
For those who want to spend the night under the stars, there are two backcountry campsites available along the trails for you to choose from.
Bring your horses to Buster Island for a ride on the park’s more than six miles of equestrian trails, which are situated on a beautiful island. These trails will take you through some of Florida’s most valuable natural habitats, including pine flatwoods, scrubby flatwoods, and some stunning marsh lands, among other things. Equestrian parking is available in the hayfields just across the bridge from the cow camp. You should be prepared for a primitive environment because there is no running water, toilets, or other facilities on the island.
Travel through the park’s waterways or along the shores of Lakes Kissimmee, Rosalie, and Tiger to see what’s going on. View the incredible birds and wildlife that live in the area known as the headwaters of the Everglades, which is a popular tourist destination. Those who want to paddle Zipper Canal to Lake Rosalie can launch their canoes/kayaks from the cow camp bridge, while those who want to paddle Lake Kissimmee can launch from the accessible canoe and kayak launch at the marina.
The scenic 10-mile Buster Island Paddling Trail is Florida’s 53rd state-designated paddling trail and is the state’s most popular paddling destination. Due to the fact that it encircles Buster Island, it is only suitable for experienced paddlers. It provides excellent fishing and wildlife viewing opportunities. Take a virtual tour of the trail by looking at the storey map and downloading a paddling guide for the trail. At the park marina’s camp store, you can rent a kayak or a canoe (open November to April). Rental information and reservations can be obtained by calling the store at 407-624-5640. The canoe/kayak launch is easily accessible to people of all abilities.
Undeveloped land adjacent to the day use area of the park contains a large picnic area under the shade of large, sprawling live oak trees. There are a large number of picnic tables and four pavilions available, including two that are wheelchair accessible.
Please contact the park office at 863-696-1112 for information on the availability and costs of renting the pavilions.
Reunions can be held in the picnic area, which has plenty of space. There are three small pavilions, each of which can accommodate 20 to 25 people.
Electricity is available in one large pavilion that can accommodate 100 people. For a fee, you can reserve one of the pavilions.
The ranger station can be reached by phone at 863-696-1112 to make a pavilion reservation.
Lake Kissimmee State Park has the facilities to host your wedding in one of the most beautiful outdoor settings Florida has to offer, with views of the lake and surrounding mountains. If you choose to rent a pavilion for your event, you will be charged a fee. Entrance fees for groups are also charged.
You can reach the ranger station by phone at 863-696-1112 for more information or to make reservations.
It is the goal of Lake Kissimmee State Park to provide a variety of easily accessible amenities to all of its visitors. Among these conveniences are:
·Parking.
·Restrooms.
·Camping.
·Fishing.
·Launching point for canoes and kayaks.
·Pavilions for picnics.
·Marina.
Service animals are welcome in all areas of the park, including the playground.
Launch your boat from the park and explore the 35,000 acres of Lake Kissimmee and the neighbouring lakes and creeks on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes. The activities that can be enjoyed while boating include wildlife viewing, sightseeing, bass fishing, and pan fishing in some of Florida’s most pristine waterways. A boat ramp and marina are located on the grounds of the park.
Air boats are not permitted to launch from the park due to limited space and safety concerns in the marina area. If you’re visiting or camping, air boats may be towed into the park on their trailers, provided the prop has been tied to the rigging so it cannot be started. There are a number of private boat ramps within a few miles of the park that allow air boat launching.
There are sixty campsites available, all of which have electric and water hookups. There is a dump station in the neighbourhood. The camping area is located within an oak hammock, which provides shade and a natural buffer for a bit of seclusion while also providing some privacy.
A boat ramp and marina, as well as trails, a playground, and an observation tower with a panoramic view of Lake Kissimmee, are among the park’s many amenities. Pets that are well-behaved are welcome in the campground, subject to the terms of our Pet Policy.
Picnic tables, grills, and paved pathways leading to accessible restrooms are available at sites 15, 9, 49, and 52, respectively (including a shower). Boating noise from Lake Kissimmee can be heard throughout the campground on occasion, such as during holiday weekends. Campers should be aware of this when visiting the campground.
The maximum length of a recreational vehicle is 55 feet. Reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance, depending on availability. Reservations can be made online at the Florida State Parks reservations website or by calling 800-326-3521 or TDD 888-433-0287.
The Cracker Shack is now open for business for the summer season. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are the days off.
In close proximity to the family campground and boat launch, you’ll find the Cracker Shack. At Lake Kissimmee State Park, you can purchase ice, firewood, snacks, beverages, and a variety of other essentials for camping, such as toilet paper and paper towels.
Kayak, canoe, and bike rentals, as well as ecotours, will be available soon. Visit the concession website for more information, or call the store for rental information and reservations at 407-624-5640 for more information and reservations.
More than 6 miles of equestrian trails can be found on beautiful Buster Island, which is part of Lake Kissimmee State Park. These trails will take you through some of Florida’s most valuable natural habitats, including pine flatwoods, scrubby flatwoods, and some stunning marsh lands, among other things.
Equestrian parking is available in the hayfields just across the bridge from the cow camp. You should be prepared for a primitive environment because there is no running water, toilets, or other facilities on the island. It is necessary to provide proof of a negative Coggins test.
In addition to a three-story (30-foot) observation tower that overlooks the marsh plain and Lake Kissimmee, the park also features a wildlife observation deck that
provides spectacular views of the surrounding landscape and wildlife. The top deck is closed for maintenance, but the lower decks are still open for viewing Lake Kissimmee and the surrounding area.
As you meander down the short trail to the Cow Camp, you will travel back in time to 1876. By the time you reach the end of the trail, you will have encountered a Florida cow hunter who is staying in an isolated frontier camp along the route of a cattle drive. He’ll be cooking, brewing coffee, tending to the cattle, or simply relaxing until the next roundup or cattle drive comes around again. During his visit, the cow hunter will be delighted to tell you about his daily activities and the difficulties he faces. Pack a picnic lunch and bring the whole family out to Lake Kissimmee State Park to take advantage of this small slice of…the Real Florida…
At the Lake Kissimmee State Park, dogs and cats are welcome. All pets must be kept on a 6-foot leash that can be held in one hand at all times. Pets must not be left unattended at any time. The trails and day use areas are pet-friendly, but pets are not permitted in the Cow Camp area or in the campground. It is the responsibility of pet owners to clean up after their animals and properly dispose of all pet droppings in trash receptacles.
The park’s day use area includes four picnic pavilions, which can accommodate up to 100 people each. The large pavilion, which can accommodate up to 100 people, is equipped with an electric outlet.
The fee is $60, plus applicable taxes. There are three small pavilions in the park, each of which can accommodate 20 to 25 people.
The small pavilion is available for rent for $30 plus tax. The large pavilion, as well as the one small pavilion, are both wheelchair accessible.
To make a reservation for a wedding or pavilion, call the park at 863-696-1112 or visit their website.
We have a playground that is conveniently located in the day use area, near the picnic pavilion, which is great for families. A set of monkey bars, two regular swings, and two baby swings can be found on the playground, as well as three slides and three sets of monkey bars.
If you want to ensure the safety of your child at all times, please make sure that an adult is present with them.
This campground is popular with both RVers and tent campers. There are sixty campsites available, all of which have electric and water hookups. There is a dump station in the neighbourhood. The camping area is located within an oak hammock, which provides shade and a natural buffer for a bit of seclusion while also providing some privacy.
Boat ramp and marina, as well as trails, a playground, and an observation tower with a view of Lake Kissimmee, are among the park’s many features and amenities. Pets that are well-behaved are welcome in the campground, subject to the terms of our Pet Policy.
ADA-compliant amenities include picnic tables, grills, and paved pathways leading to accessible restrooms at sites 15, 9, 49, and 52, among others (including a shower).
Boating noise from Lake Kissimmee can be heard throughout the campground on
occasion, such as during holiday weekends. Campers should be aware of this when visiting the campground.
The maximum length of a recreational vehicle is 55 feet. Reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance, depending on availability. Reservations can be made online at the Florida State Parks reservations website or by calling 800-326-3521 or TDD 888-433-0287.
14248 Camp Marc Road Lake Wales FL 33898
Note: This is not the official Park website. However, it is an easy-to-use site, with everything you need to plan a trip.
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