Lake Kissimmee State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Immerse yourself in Florida’s rich cowboy heritage at Lake Kissimmee State Park. With its cow camp living history site, you can see this little-known part of the state’s past come to life before your eyes. When you’re done watching cowboys on horseback, explore their historic stomping grounds on 13 miles of trails. If you want to go all-in on the experience, six miles of the trail system are open to horses. Alternatively, take in the scenery from the water on a paddling and fishing voyage through the park’s three lakes. With Orlando and Lake Buena Vista just to the north, this is the perfect home base for a theme-park excursion.
Spring 55-85 F
Summer 70-90 F
Fall 65-85 F
Winter 50-70 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Lake Kissimmee State Park
With hikes, swimming, and other activities to enjoy, you'll want to spend as long as possible at Lake Kissimmee State Park, so bring your RV. If you don't have one, that's no problem; you can rent one on RVshare.com.
Lake Kissimmee State Park Campground
Camp in the shady oak hammock at the Lake Kissimmee State Park Campground. The 60 campsites are all big enough to accommodate RVs up to 55 feet long; they all have electric and water hookups, and there’s a dump station nearby for convenience. Four sides are ADA accessible. You’ll appreciate the restrooms and showers after a day of fun in the sun. Sites are $20 per night.
Rainbow RV Resort
Enjoy the large swimming pool after a day at Lake Kissimmee State Park when you stay at Rainbow RV Resort. This well-maintained campground has all of the perks that make a comfortable experience — sports courts, Wi-Fi, a clubhouse, game room, and more. Get in a quick run at the fitness center, and pick up a book from the library. You can even join in the schedule of activities to get to know other campers. This campground is pet-friendly and offers full hookups. Choose from both back-in and pull-through sites; each one can fit RVs up to 45 feet long.
Cypress Campground & RV Park
If you’re hoping to combine your visit to Lake Kissimmee State Park with a trip to Legoland, Cypress Campground & RV Park is a great home base — the theme park is less than three miles away. That’s not all; each site in this all-ages park offers full hookups, a swimming pool, Wi-Fi, and cable TV. There’s even a mini-golf course for a fun family evening. Rates start at $44 per night.
What to Do at
Lake Kissimmee State Park
Inside Lake Kissimmee State Park
If you're coming to Lake Kissimmee State Park from late fall to late spring, make sure to check out the historic demonstrations at the park’s Cow Camp; there, you can watch cowboys on horseback and see what life was like on the job in 1876. The rest of the park also has plenty to offer. Explore 13 miles of trails on foot or horseback; if you’re interested in wildlife, bring binoculars to spot the bald eagles, turkeys, and bobcats that live in the wilderness. The park is also home to the Buster Island Paddling Trail, which takes you through Lake Kissimmee, Lake Rosalie, and Tiger Lake. Rent canoes and kayaks in the park or bring your own to the two different launch points.
Outside Lake Kissimmee State Park
Although Lake Kissimmee State Park feels like an isolated stretch of wilderness, the busy Orlando metro area is close by. When you’re ready for a change of scenery, go wild at the many outdoor recreation areas. For a fun family day, head north and spend the day theme-park hopping.
Restaurants
Jay Bees
Feel like part of the local community at Jay Bees, a low-key diner that’s known for its friendly service and affordable prices. The menu is varied, with options ranging from burgers to catfish.
Type: American
Location: 8625 FL-60, Lake Wales, FL 33898
Mama D's Restaurant
Stop at Mama D's Restaurant for a big breakfast before a day of adventure in the area around Lake Kissimmee State Park. The food is simple, homemade, and always served with a smile.
Type: American
Location: 7448 FL-60, Lake Wales, FL 33898
Cherry Pocket Steak & Seafood
Cherry Pocket Steak & Seafood is an impossibly charming spot located on the banks of Lake Pierce. Sit outside on the patio and sip a cold beer while you watch the sunset, or come at lunch for a plate of fish and chips in the shade.
Type: Seafood
Location: 3100 Canal Rd., Lake Wales, FL 33898
L'Incontro Italian Restaurant
Enjoy the vintage elegance of the dining room at L'Incontro Italian Restaurant. Come for a romantic meal or a family dinner; the seafood, steak, and pasta are all cooked with an Italian flair.
Type: Italian
Location: 35 St Rd. 60 W, Lake Wales, FL 33853
Rufus Ribs
Complete your Florida vacation with a stop at Rufus Ribs, which specializes in barbecued meats with a local flair. Make sure to leave room for the delicious cornbread and the rich side dishes.
Type: Barbecue
Location: 1313 FL-60, Lake Wales, FL 33853
Shopping
Eagle Ridge Mall
Get out of the Florida heat at the indoor Eagle Ridge Mall. With a variety of national chain stores and an excellent food court, this is a fun spot for everyone.
Location: 451 Eagle Ridge Dr., Lake Wales, FL 33859
Bike Shop Of Winter Haven
Get ready to roll at the Bike Shop Of Winter Haven. With its inventory of bikes and supplies, this shop will get you going on the local trails in no time.
Location: 249 3rd St. SW, Winter Haven, FL 33880
Melange Antiques & Art Gallery
Find a new piece for your collection at Melange Antiques & Art Gallery. Located about 20 miles from the park, this is a fun stop on your way to dinner.
Location: 250 E Park Ave., Lake Wales, FL 33853
Sightseeing
Orlando Theme Parks
Whether you’re traveling with kids or adults, the Orlando theme parks are a fantastic way to spend a day. Most of them are enormous, so your best bet is to focus on one location. Enjoy the magic of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando, or head to Walt Disney World for classic rides.
Location: Orlando, Florida
Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area
Continue your exploration of Florida’s cowboy country at the Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area, which is located on the grounds of a former cattle ranch. There are plenty of ways to explore the prairie: bike down the trails, take a horseback ride, or go for a long hike. The area is one section of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail, making it a prime destination for animal spotting.
Location: Kenansville, Florida
KICCO Wildlife Management Area
Bring your mountain bike to explore the KICCO Wildlife Management Area. While you ride the well-maintained roads, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to see wild hogs, alligators, and bald eagles in their natural habitat. Birdwatchers love this area for its unique selection of species; if you’re a hunter, come for feral hog season for a truly unusual experience. A boat launch makes it easy to explore the area by water.
Location: River Ranch, Florida
Take an Airboat Tour
Fly through the swamps and lakes at high speed with an airboat tour.Companies like Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures offer guided trips throughout the year on boats powered by giant fans. Each ride is fun for everyone in the family; you’ll also have a good chance to spot alligators and other elusive critters.
Location: Kissimmee, Florida
Allen David Broussard Catfish Creek Preserve State Park
If you’re interested in rare plants, don’t miss a trip to the lovely Allen David Broussard Catfish Creek Preserve State Park. Here, you can see a variety of unusual species, including the beautiful pygmy fringe tree and the brilliantly colored scrub morning glory. This rugged terrain offers hiking and horseback riding, so it’s perfect if you’re looking for a physical challenge.
Location: Haines City, Florida
How to Get to
Lake Kissimmee State Park
Lake Kissimmee State Park is located south of Orlando, close to FL-60, FL-17, and Highway 27. Once you get to Lake Wales on FL-17, connect to Mammoth Grove Road, which turns into Camp Mack Road. You'll then take Park Road south to the entrance.
Entering Lake Kissimmee State Park
Lake Kissimmee State Park opens earlier than many of Florida’s state parks; the gates open at 7 a.m. every day of the year. The park closes at sundown.
Lake Kissimmee State Park Per vehicle, 2-8 passengers : $5.0
Lake Kissimmee State Park Extra passenger : $2.0
Lake Kissimmee State Park Per vehicle, 1 person : $4.0
Whether you’re coming for the cowboy demonstrations or the relaxing paddling, Lake Kissimmee State Park is sure to deliver a delightful camping experience. At RVshare, we’d love to hear about your vacation — tag RVshare on social media, or send us trip pics by email at [email protected]