State: Florida
Short Name: Kissimmee Prairie Preserve SP
Address 1: 33104 N.W. 192nd Avenue
City: Okeechobee
Zip: 34972
Phone: 863-462-5360
Open all Year: Yes
Electric Water: 35
Camp URL: http://www.floridastateparks.org/kissimmeeprairie/default.cfm
Full Hook: Yes
Free: No
About: preserve protects one of the largest remaining stretches of Florida dry prairie, home to an array of endangered plants and animals. While driving the five-mile-long road into the park, visitors can enjoy sweeping vistas of grasslands reminiscent of the Great Plains of the Midwest. The park offers excellent seasonal birding opportunities and is home to the endangered Florida grasshopper sparrow, as well as the crested caracara and sandhill crane. Over 100 miles of dirt roads allow hikers, bicyclists, and equestrians to explore prairies, wetlands, and shady hammocks. Ranger-led prairie buggy tours take visitors to remote areas of the park. For overnight stays, the park has full-facility and primitive equestrian campgrounds. Kissimmee Prairie’s remote location makes it one of Florida’s premier locations for stargazing. Located 25 miles northwest of Okeechobee via U.S. 441 and County Road 724.
Maximum RV length = 50 ft.
Reservations: Reservations may be made up to 11 months in advance through ReserveAmerica.
Camping Primitive
The Preserve offers three wilderness primitive campsites located 2.5 miles from the office. Since these sites can only be reached by hiking or biking, please check in at the office two hours before sunset. Sites have a picnic table and a fire ring. Everything must be backpacked in, including water, and packed out. The three sites are available to individuals or groups, with a maximum of four persons per site. Pets and horses are prohibited at the wilderness primitive camp sites. Call the park office for reservations at (863) 462-5360.
Camping, Equestrian
Kilpatrick Hammock Campground offers primitive Equestrian Camping. One paddock is provided for each campsite. Water is provided at each paddock and a central community water source for campers is provided near the kiosk at the entry to the campground. A composting toilet is provided for campers’ convenience. Campers also have access to the bathhouse in the family campground. Pets are allowed overnight in the campgrounds. Pets must be on a 6 foot hand held leash and well behaved at all times. Pets must not be left unattended. Pets are allowed on the service roads but are not allowed on the Hammock Trail (orange markers) or the Prairie Trial (blue markers). Call the park at (863) 462-5360 for reservations.
