Region: Southeast
KISSIMMEE PRAIRIE PRESERVE STATE PARK
33104 NW 192nd Avenue
Okeechobee, Florida 34972
(863) 462-5360 Hours of Operation
Florida state parks are open from 8 a.m. until sundown 365 days a
year.
Driving Directions
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park is located approximately
25 miles north of the City of Okeechobee. The Preserve is located
5 miles north of the western terminus of Okeechobee County Road 724.
The road which reaches the park is shell and is not paved. US Hwy
441 and Okeechobee County Road 700A intersect County Road 724. The
campground is located 5 miles inside the park entrance gate.
Alcoholic beverages are not permitted in Florida State
Parks. Please place all trash in its proper place and do not feed
the wildlife.
The park encompasses nearly 75 square miles of virtually unaltered
landscape lying mostly in Okeechobee County with 46,000 acres of land.
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park encompasses nearly 84 square
miles of virtually unaltered landscape lying mostly in Okeechobee
County. At almost 54,000 acres, the Preserve protects the largest
remaining tract of undisturbed dry prairie anywhere.
Park Activities
Bicycling, Birding, Full Facility Camping, Horse Trails, Nature Trails,
Picnicking, Primitive Camping, and Swamp Buggy Rides
Bicycling
Just a short bicycle ride from the Kilpatrick Hammock
Campground in Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park,
you can see alligators sunning themselves along
Seven-Mile Slough. Or if you are an avid bicyclist
you can ride seven miles to see the beautiful Kissimmee
River. Along the way enjoy a vast array of wildflowers;
stop and watch a flock of turkey’s scatter
across the road or see white-tailed deer feeding
on the prairie grasslands. There are over 110 miles
of two-trail roads for you to enjoy along with the
fresh air and peaceful atmosphere of the prairie.
Although it’s a dry prairie, at times portions
of the roads may be wet.
Birding
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park offers excellent
seasonal birding opportunities for the nature tourist.
The Park offers refuge to six Federally threatened
and endangered species, and a further six species
of special concern. The usual highlights of a birding
trip to Kissimmee Prairie would include Florida
Grasshopper Sparrow, Burrowing Owl, Crested Caracara,
Wood Stork and the recently sited White-Tail Kite
with many other possibilities. The Park also has
enough varied habitats, including wetlands, dry
prairie, and hardwood hammocks, to offer the bird
watching, nature tourist a full day of recreation.
Full Facility Camping
Surrounded by 54,000 acres of pristine land, campers
at Kilpatrick Hammock Campground can experience
wilderness camping with all the comforts of home.
Water and electricity at each site and a spacious
bathhouse with laundry facilities can be found at
the family camping area. The horseback campground
has large paddocks equipped with hayrack and running
water. Over 110 miles of two-trail road for hiking,
bicycle riding and horseback riding will take visitors
through dry prairie, moist wetlands and cool, shady
hammocks. Deer and turkey are often seen meandering
through the campgrounds. Bring horses, bicycles
and cameras to enjoy a truly unique camping experience.
Horse Camping
Riding the trails in Kissimmee Prairie Preserve
State Park on horseback is one of the best ways
to see the real Florida. With more than 110 miles
of two-trail roads horseback riders are apt to see
an abundance of wildlife. In early spring its possible
to hear the endangered Florida Grasshopper Sparrow
singing in its dry prairie habitat. The trails take
you through dry prairie, moist wetlands and cool,
shady hammocks. Bring your own horses and enjoy
a day’s ride or stay overnight in our beautiful
horseback campground.
Nature Trails
Hiking through the grasslands of Kissimmee Prairie
Preserve State Park will find you in a place so
unique there is no other on earth to see the same
combination of plants and animals. You may startle
white-tailed deer feeding on the tender grasses
or send an Indigo Snake slithering off the trail
to hide in the wiregrass. Scan the skies and see
a Crested Caracara or Bald Eagle soaring overhead;
listen carefully and you may hear endangered Florida
Grasshopper Sparrows singing in their natural prairie
habitat. Wildflowers dot the countryside including
Yellow Bachelors Buttons, Pipewort, Blazing Star,
Meadow Beauty and the delicate Alligator Lily. Enjoy
the prairie by looking into it – not at it.
Primitive Camping
The park now offers three primitive campsites for
rent. The sites are located 3.5 miles from the park
campground and are reached by either foot trail
or park road. Sites have a picnic table and a fire
ring. Pack in your own water and pack out your garbage.
The three sites are available to individuals or
groups at a rate of $3 per person per night. Please
call us at (863) 462-5360 for more information.
Swamp Buggy Rides
Take the park-guided tour on a custom-built swamp
buggy and see the remote reaches of the park. From
an elevated seat, one will see spectacular scenery
and abundant wildlife. The ride lasts approximately
3 hours. Bring sunscreen, a hat, drinks and snacks.
Tours are scheduled to begin at 10:00 am each Saturday
morning and depart from the park office. Cost is
$15 per person. Maximum group size is 11. Additional
tours can be reserved upon request and staff availability.
Reservations are required. Please call us at (863)
462-5360 for more information.
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