Florida's cowboy heritage comes alive with living history demonstrations of the early Florida "cow hunters" in an 1876-era cow camp.
White-tailed deer, bald eagles, sandhill cranes, turkeys and bobcats have been seen in the park, located on the shores of lakes Kissimmee, Tiger and Rosalie.
Visitors enjoy boating, canoeing and fishing in the picturesque lakes. Nature students can hike over 13 miles of trails to observe and study the abundant plant and animal life.
Six miles of trails are open to equestrians. A large, shaded picnic area with pavilions is available.
The park has full-facility campsites, as well as a primitive camping facility. The youth camping area can accommodate up to 50 people. The dark skies make stargazing a popular nighttime activity for campers.
Experiences
Birding
Lake Kissimmee State Park hosts excellent opportunities for birders. The park's abundance of water, wetlands and numerous different habitats offers birders views of different water fowl and birds of prey. The scrub habitat through out the park is home to the Florida scrub jay.
Boating
Launch your boat from the park and explore the 35,000 acres of Lake Kissimmee and the neighboring lakes and creeks on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes. Boating activities include wildlife viewing, sight seeing, bass fishing, and pan fishing on some of Florida’s most pristine waterways. The park has an on site boat ramp and marina.
Camping Equestrian
Primitive Equestrian Camping is available at Lake Kissimmee State Park. Come prepared: water, electricity and restrooms are NOT available. Pets are permitted in accordance with our Pet Policy. For more information or to make reservations, please call the Ranger Station at 863-696-1112.
Camping Full Facility
Sixty campsites are available with electric and water hookups. A dump station is located nearby. The oak hammock in which the camping area is located provides shade and a natural buffer for a little seclusion. Park amenities include a boat ramp and marina as well as trails, a playground and an observation tower providing a view of Lake Kissimmee. Well behaved pets are welcome in the campground in accordance with our Pet Policy. Sites 15, 9, 49 and 52 have accessible amenities including picnic tables, grills and paved pathways to accessible restrooms (including a shower).
Campers, please be aware that occasionally, for example on holiday weekends, boating noise from Lake Kissimmee can be heard throughout the campground.
Maximum recreational vehicle length is 55 feet.
Reservations may be made up to 11 months in advance through ReserveAmerica or by calling 800-326-3521 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) or Telecommunications Device for the Deaf 888-433-0287.
Camping Primitive
For those who prefer primitive camping, two campsites are located on the 13 miles of hiking trails within the park. Everything must be backpacked in, including water. Each site includes two picnic tables and two ground grills. No facilities are available at either campsite. The sites are available for individuals or groups, with a maximum of 12 persons per site. At least one of the camping party must be 18 years of age or older. Campers must arrive at the park at least three hours before sunset. Pets are permitted in the primitive campsites in accordance with our Pet Policy. To reserve a primitive campsite, call the park at 863-696-1112.
Camping, Primitive Group
Lake Kissimmee State Park offers two primitive youth tent camping sites. Each site accommodates up to 25 campers. A minimum of 12 campers is required to use each site. The sites are located just off the beaten path under ample shade provided by live oaks that cover most of the camping area. Amenities include cold showers, restrooms, picnic tables and benches around a fire pit. The parking area is located less than 200 feet from the sites. Pets are permitted in the youth camping sites in accordance with our Pet Policy. Reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance. To reserve a youth campsite, call the Park at 863-696-1112.
Paddling
Tour the waterways within the park and/or along the shores of Lake Kissimmee, Lake Rosalie and Tiger Lake. View some of the incredible birds and wildlife inhabiting the area known as the "headwaters" to the Everglades. Paddlers can launch their canoes/kayaks from the cow camp bridge to paddle Zipprer Canal to Lake Rosalie, or from the accessible canoe and kayak launch at the marina out to Lake Kissimmee.
The scenic10-mile Buster Island Paddling Trail is Florida’s 53rd state designated paddling trail. It is suitable for experienced paddlers and offers excellent fishing and wildlife viewing opportunities as it encircles Buster Island. Look at this story map for a ‘virtual tour’ and download a paddling guide for the trail. Rent a kayak or canoe at the park marina’s camp store (Open November to April). Call the store for rental information and reservations at 863-696-4888. The canoe/kayak launch is universally accessible.
Fishing
Located on the shores of Lakes Kissimmee, Rosalie and Tiger, the park offers some of the best fishing opportunities in the state. A variety of fish that can be caught include the largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, chain pickerel and bluegill. A boat ramp in the park offers direct access to Lake Kissimmee. For those without boats, there are fishing opportunities from the canal banks, marina and dam that offer the same variety of fish. The marina includes accessible parking spaces, restrooms and a fishing area. All fishing within the park must conform to regulations concerning size, number, method of capture and season.
A fishing license may be required. More information is available at the Florida Wildlife Commission’s Fishing in Florida. You can purchase fishing licenses locally at Wal-Mart or Camp Macks River Resort.
Geo-Seeking
Geocaching is an outdoor game using hand-held global positioning systems (GPS) devices. It's effectively an inexpensive, interactive, high-tech treasure hunt that's a great way to learn geography. Participants use location coordinates to find caches. Some caches are easy to find; others are more difficult. The biggest reward is the thrill of the search and the discovery of a place where you have never been. Geocaching should have minimal impact to the environment and conscientious land use ethics should be followed.
Operation Recreation Geotour
Hiking
The park offers 13 miles of hiking trails which showcase white-tailed deer, bobcat, bald eagles, sandhill cranes, turkeys and other wildlife. The trails take you through pine flatwoods, oak hammocks, by freshwater marshes and out to Lake Kissimmee. You may take your pick from a half-mile self-guided nature trail, two loop trails and a spur trail out to the lake. There are two backcountry campsites along the trails available for those who wish to spend the night under the stars.
Picnicking
There is a large picnic area located in an oak hammock near the day use area of the park. Large, sprawling live oak trees provide shade for those interested in picnicking at the park. There are numerous picnic tables and four pavilions available including two pavilions that are accessible. For further information on the availability and prices of renting the pavilions please call the park office at 863-696-1112.
Amenities
Accessible Amenities
Lake Kissimmee State Park is committed to providing a variety of accessible amenities to all visitors. Those amenities include:
Parking
Restrooms
Camping
Fishing
Canoe/Kayak Launch
Picnic Pavilions
Marina
Playground
For your children's enjoyment our playground facility is conveniently located in the day use area near the picnic pavilion. The playground features two regular swings and two baby swings, three slides, and a set of monkey bars. For your child's safety please insure that adult supervision is provided at all times.
Pets
Pets are allowed in the Park at Lake Kissimmee State Park. All pets must be on a hand-held, 6 foot leash at all times. Pets may not be left unattended. You may walk your pet along the trails, and in use areas. However, pets are not allowed in the Cow Camp area. Pet owners must pick up after their pets and properly dispose of all pet droppings in trash receptacles.
Picnic Pavilion
Four picnic pavilions are located in the day use area of the park. The large pavilion can accommodate 100 people and has an electrical outlet. The fee is $60 plus tax. The park has three small pavilions that can accommodate 20-25 people. The fee for the small pavilion is $30 plus tax. The large pavilion and the one small pavilion are accessible. To make reservations for a wedding or pavilion, please contact the park at 863-696-1112.
Boat Ramp
Launch your boat from the park and explore the 35,000 acres of Lake Kissimmee and the neighboring lakes and creeks on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes. Boating activities include wildlife viewing, sight seeing, bass fishing and pan fishing on some of Florida’s most pristine waterways. The park has an on site boat ramp and marina.
Air Boats are not permitted to launch from the park due to limited space and safety concerns in the marina area. If visiting or camping, air boats may be towed into the park on their trailers, providing 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.
Horse Equestrian Trail
Lake Kissimmee State Park has more than six miles of equestrian trails located on beautiful Buster Island. These trails take you through some of Florida's most precious natural habitats including Pine Flatwoods, Scrubby Flat Woods and some beautiful Marsh lands. There is equestrian parking just across the cow camp bridge in the hay fields. This is considered a primitive area, so come prepared; there's no water, bathrooms or facilities on the island. Proof of negative Coggins is required.
