Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park wasn't established as a state park until 1997, but its history goes back to the 1500s when Juan Ponce de Leon brought Andalusian cows to the area. The descendants of these cows eventually became Texas Longhorns, which formed the basis of the cattle-raising industry that arose in the area in the 1800s. Business boomed when the railroad came during the early 1900s and brought settlers, but the area's hot, wet summers drove away many who arrived by railroad. During the 1940s, the area became a training ground for aircraft crews. Ironically, the accidental fires that broke out when bombs exploded likely improved the condition of the dry prairie by burning away excess brush. Today, the 54,000 acres of this Florida state park serve as a haven for numerous birds, butterflies, and other forms of wildlife.
Spring 55-88 F
Summer 69-91 F
Fall 58-90 F
Winter 49-76 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park's Kilpatrick Hammock Campground contains 35 campsites with water and electricity hookups for RVs. The campground consists of the Family Campground Loop, the Equestrian Loop, and the Astronomy Pad, which is separated from the rest of the campground to facilitate stargazing. The campground can accommodate a maximum RV length of 65 feet and contains water-filling and dump stations. The equestrian camping loop features 10 RV-friendly campsites with electricity and water hookups.
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park
The good news is that Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park has 35 sites that can accommodate 65-foot-long RVs. This park is a nationally designated Dark Sky area, so the stargazing is beyond amazing. Unfortunately, the sites do tend to fill up relatively quickly, and reservations are required.
• Water hookup: Yes • Electrical hookup: Yes • Sewer hookup: Yes • Wi-Fi: No • Pet-friendly: Yes • Other amenities: Laundry facility, ADA-accessible restroom and shower facility, equestrian trails
Taylor Creek Resort RV Park
The Taylor Creek Resort RV Park is open year-round. They offer both RV sites and cabin rental and are the only campsite near the boat locks with their own marina, which features 144 lots, 32 boat slips, and access to Lake Okeechobee. The park has direct access to Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail, a 110-mile path that goes around the lake.
• Water hookup: Yes • Electrical hookup: Yes • Sewer hookup: Yes • Wi-Fi: Yes • Pet-friendly: Yes • Other amenities: Bathhouse, fish cleaning station, boat ramp, and laundry facility
Lakeside RV Park
Located on the canal is Lakeside RV Park, with only a quick five-minute boat ride to lake access. They have 59 RV spaces with access to a boat ramp, boat slip, fishing dock, and fish-cleaning station. There is a sheltered pavilion with picnic tables that can accommodate large gatherings.
• Water hookup: Yes • Electrical hookup: Yes • Sewer hookup: Yes • Wi-Fi: No • Other amenities: Showers, restrooms, and laundry facility
Star Lite RV Park
The park is a family-owned business with a personal touch. The Star Lite RV Park has grassy sites for any size RV. There is a clubhouse for small or large gatherings and various events; some of the locals host potluck dinners in the full kitchen and dance the evening away on the dance floor. The park has a campfire pit with plenty of seating for all.
• Water hookup: Yes • Electrical hookup: Yes • Sewer hookup: Yes • Wi-Fi: No • Pet-friendly: Yes • Other amenities: Hot showers, heated pool, shuffleboard, and pool house
What to Do at
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park
If you're interested in learning more about Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park, you should stop by the Visitor Center, which has park maps and checklists of birds and butterflies found in the park. One fabulous way to explore this dry prairie is via horseback riding, which gives you a great view of this park's dry prairies, hammocks, and wetlands. If you would prefer to tour the park in style, you can take a prairie buggy tour, which goes to the more remote areas of the park.
Inside Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park has hard-shell roads perfect for biking; bike rentals are available at the preserve office. Bring your own horse to roam the 100 miles of trails, or opt to hike them. The trails take you through wetlands, shady hammocks, and dry prairie where you can view nature and wildlife. The preserve offers tremendous seasonal bird-watching opportunities. You can even take a ranger-led prairie buggy tour to see all the remote areas of the park.
Nature Watching
Bird watching is popular at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park thanks to the presence of multiple threatened or endangered birds and more than 150 other bird species. Butterflies are also abundant, and this outdoor recreation area boasts the most diverse population of these flying insects found in any of the Florida state parks. One of the best places to spot local wildlife is the main park drive, which you can explore in your vehicle, on a bike, or on foot.
Stargazing
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park is an International Dark Sky Association Dark Sky Park, so it's an awesome place to gaze at the heavens. The park even has a separate camping area that's ideal for stargazing. The park sometimes hosts featured activities for stargazers.
Flora and Fauna
Some of the flora you'll see here include wildflowers, cabbage palms, oaks, red maples, papayas, and dogwoods. Animals that call Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park home include burrowing owls, grasshopper sparrows, coyotes, panthers, black bears, raccoons, and crested caracaras.
Hiking
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park has 116 miles of trails, so you'll have no problem finding a great hiking option. Some lovely routes to hike include the Prairie Loop Trail, the Hammock Trail, and the Military Trail.
Biking
The hiking trails are also open to mountain biking enthusiasts. You can also ride on the park's roads.
How to Get to
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park
To get to the park from Okeechobee, take Highway 98 out of town and turn right onto NW 176th Avenue. Turn left onto NW 240th Street; turn right onto NW 192nd Avenue and drive to the park's entrance.
Entering Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park is open from 8:00 a.m. until sunset. Parking areas are located near the Family Campground, the Astronomy Pad, the Visitor Center, and the Equestrian Center. Accessible campsites, picnic tables, restrooms, and grills are available.
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park Per vehicle (1-4 adults) : $4.0
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park Per person (cyclists and walk-ins) : $2.0
Frequently Asked Questions About Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park
The park is most popular in the spring, fall, and winter because the temperatures are milder and less humid. Birders may want to consider a visit between April and August when swallows and other birds put on an aerial show during their breeding season.
Bobcats, skunks, gopher frogs, and gopher tortoises are some of the animals that you might get to see when you visit Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park. You might also spot tree frogs, grass-skippers, and wood storks.
Kilpatrick Hammock Campground and the Equestrian Loop have campsites suitable for RVs featuring electrical and water hookups. You can also camp with your RV at Family Loop sites, but no hookups are available, and pets are not permitted.
You can reserve a campsite up to 11 months in advance. You don't need to reserve a campsite, but you should call ahead to make sure paddock space is available in the equestrian area if you wish to bring your horse. Standard campsites cost $16, and the reservation fee is $6.70.
Pets are welcome at the park and can accompany you on the multi-use hiking trails. However, they are not permitted on the Hammock Trail or in the primitive campsites.