Park Summary for Print - Lake Kissimmee State Park

Welcome to Lake Kissimmee State Park

Florida's cowboy heritage comes alive with living history demonstrations of the early Florida "cow hunters" in an 1876-era cow camp, open 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekends and holidays. 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. Located off State Road 60 15 miles east of Lake Wales.

Contact the Florida Park Service Information Center for general inquiries.
For Information about Lake Kissimmee State Park, please call 863-696-1112.

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Hours of Operation

Florida state parks are open from 8 a.m. until sundown 365 days a year.

Driving Directions

Lake Kissimmee State Park is located off S.R. 60, 15 miles east of Lake Wales.

Park Fees

Admission Fee - $4.00 per vehicle for 2 to 8 people - $3.00 single occupant vehicle - $1.00 per pedestrian or bicyclist or passenger in vehicle with holders of annual entrance permits

Camping Fee - $19.04 per day up to 8 people on site

Primitive camping - $4.00 per person each night

Youth Camping - $1.00 per Youth/$2.00 per Adult or Chaperon

Activities at Lake Kissimmee State Park

	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.
	Canoeing/Kayaking 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. Bring your own boat, as there are no rentals in the park.
	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 fishing opportunities from the canal banks, marina and dam offer the same variety of fish. Freshwater fishing in Florida requires a license for those who are 15 years or older. You do not have to have a license to fish with a cane pole as long as you are fishing in the county of your residence. Do you need a Fishing License?
	Full Facility Camping Sixty campsites are available with electric and water hookups. No sewage hookups are provided although a dump station is located nearby. The oak hammock in which the camping area is located makes this one of the most beautiful camping areas in the state.
	Horse Trail Lake Kissimmee State Park has over 6 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. YET. Stay tuned for future equestrian improvements at Lake Kissimmee, a great park with big plans. Please come out and give us your feedback, after all this is your park too
	Nature Trails The park offers 13 miles of hiking trails which showcase white-tailed deer, bobcat, bald eagles, sandhill cranes, turkeys, and other bird life. The trails take you through pine flatwoods, oak hammocks, by freshwater marshes, and out to Lake Kissimmee. You may take your pick from a ½ 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. Due to recent wildfires at Lake Kissimmee the area of the park known as Buster Island and the Cow Camp will be closed to the public until July 29, 2007. The trail systems have been impacted by the recent wildfire, and is not safe for visitors. Cow Camp and Buster Island should resume normal operations no later then July 30th.
	Pet Camping Pets must be confined, leashed (not to exceed six feet in length) or otherwise under the physical control of a person at all times. Tethered pets must not be left unattended for more than 30 minutes. Quiet hours must be observed from 11:00 p.m. - 8:00 a.m. Pet owners must pick up after their pets and properly dispose of all pet droppings in trash receptacles. Florida law requires that pets be vaccinated against rabies. Any pet that is noisy, dangerous, intimidating or destructive will not be allowed to remain in the park. Non-furbearing pets, such as reptiles, birds, or fish must be confined or under the physical control of the owner. Some animals may be prohibited on park property. Failure to abide by these rules may result in the camper being asked to board the pet outside the park or to leave the campground.
	Picnicking There is a large picnic area located in an oak hammock near the bottom 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. At the edge of the picnic area is a 40 foot tall observation tower where you will be able to view the upper part of Lake Kissimmee. For further information on the availability and prices of renting the pavilions please call the park office.
	Playground For your children's enjoyment our playground facility is conveniently located in the day use area near the picnic pavilion. The playground features 2 regular swings and 2 baby swings, 3 slides, and a set of monkey bars. For your child’s safety please insure that adult supervision is provided at all times.
	Primitive Camping For those who prefer primitive camping, there are two campsites located on the 13 miles of hiking trails within the park. Everything must be backpacked in including water. There are no facilities available at either of these campsites.
	RV Camping Lake Kissimmee State Park’s camp ground has sites with water, electric, plenty of shade, and a majority of the sites are surrounded by beautiful natural buffers for a little seclusion on your site. Although there are no septic hooks up’s there is a dump station at the camp ground entrance.
	Youth Camping Lake Kissimmee State Park offers 2 Primitive Youth Camping Sites to Youth groups with each site capable of holding up to 25 people. The sites are located just off the beaten path, under ample shade provided by beautiful live oaks that cover 85% of the camping area. In the Youth Camping area there are cold showers, restrooms, 1 fire pit for each site; surrounded by benches for the fire side chats and ghost stories. The Parking and Unloading area is located less than 200’ from the sites for improved access. Reservations can be made at the Ranger Station, up to 11 Months in advance. Cost is $1.00 per Youth and $2.00 per Adult or Chaperon. Please call if you have any questions: 863-696-1112.

Special Events for Lake Kissimmee State Park

STEP BACK IN TIME AT THE COW CAMP!
Date: July 4, 2008 - July 6, 2008 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Description: Come celebrate our nations birthday by taking look at her past. Bring the whole family out to Lake Kissimmee State Park and meander down the Cow Camp trail, stepping back in time to 1876 when Cow Hunters drove cattle across the state of Florida. Talk to a Cow Hunter about what life was like during that time and see genuine Florida Scrub Cows. The Cow Hunter may be making coffee 'strong enough to float a bullet' over his fire, resting up fot the next cattle drive, working on repairing the fences used to hold the cows, or countless other activities.
Fees: Regular park admission fees apply.
Contact: Contact Lake Kissimmee for more information.
A "Get REAL in Florida State Parks!" Event
WALK AND TALK WITH A PARK RANGER
Date: July 4, 2008, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Description: Family. Friends. Fun. It's the theme of Recreation and Parks month. Come out to Lake Kissimmee State Park on July 4th to celebrate our nation's birthday with your family and friends, and plan on having a lot of fun! The park will be offering a guided walk and talk with a Park Ranger on our Charlie Gafford Trail. The walk will begin at 10:00a.m. and last approx. one hour. Ask a Park Ranger your questions about his or her job, the park, etc. and learn about some of the different ecosystems found in Lake Kissimmee State Park.
Fees: Regular park admission fees apply.
Contact: Contact Lake Kissimmee for more information.
A "Get REAL in Florida State Parks!" Event

Lake Kissimmee State Park Ranger Programs

1876 COW CAMP
As you meander down the short trail to the Cow Camp, you will travel back in time to 1876. At the end of the trail, you will find a Florida Cow Hunter in a frontier camp along the route of a cattle drive. He will be cooking, making coffee, tending to the cattle or just resting up until the next roundup or cattle drive. The Cow Hunter will be very happy to share stories about what his life is like and the challenges he faces. Pack up a picnic lunch and bring the whole family out to Lake Kissimmee State Park to enjoy this little bit of The Real Florida.

**New Cow Camp Hours**
The Cow Camp is open from October 1st through May 1st on Saturdays and Sundays from 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.. The Cow Camp is also open on Holidays (except for Christams Day) from 9:30 a.m. - 4:30p.m. Cow Camps are available upon request year round for groups of 15 or more.

Offsite Cow Camps are available for schools, community organizations, special events, etc. Call the Ranger Station for more information.
Call (863) 696-1112 for more details.

Lake Kissimmee State Park History

European man arrived in Florida in the 1500’s but his presence was not felt here until the 1800’s. During the third Seminole War Fort Gardiner was built nearby as a temporary fortification. Later the area was widely used for timber and turpentine. The town of Rosalie was built and later abandoned after the turpentine industry pulled out of the area.

During the Civil War the area was used for raising cattle that were shipped to the Confederate Army or traded with Cuba for supplies. After the war, cattle were the main industry and this continues to the present day.

In 1969, the state of Florida purchased 5,030 acres of land from the William Zipprer estate for use as a state park. Lake Kissimmee State Park was opened to the public in 1977. An additional 900 acres were purchased in 1997 and added to the park’s western boundary.