Lake Kissimmee State Park, FL

Lake Kissimmee State Park is a 5,930 acres park approximately 2 hours south of Orlando. The park is surrounded by three lakes (Roselie, Tiger, and Kissimmee) and collectively are known as the headwaters of the Everglades. The state purchased 5,030 acres in 1969 from the William Zipperer estate. The park opened to the public in August 1977. In 1997 an additional 900 acres was purchased on the western boundary.

Lake Kissimmee State Park offers an abundance of outdoor activities including boating, canoeing, fishing, hiking, biking, and trails. The park has a 60 site campground all with water /electricity and 2 primitive sites. A dump station is conveniently located near the campground. Interior roads are paved and most sites are nicely shaded.

There is an abundance of wildlife which became quite evident early on. A white tailed deer greeted us as we were backing into our site. On a bike ride later that day I saw a plethora of birds and a bobcat ran down the road in front of me. 

During the Civil War the area was used to raise cattle. They would be shipped to the confederate army and/or traded to Cuba for supplies. A 1876 cow camp demonstrates the history and life of the early Florida cow hunter. Open on Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm.

Resurrection Fern

Lake Kissimmee State Park has 5 well marked multiuse trails with a distance of over 20 miles. The Gobbler Ridge Trail, a 2.8 mile round trip trail starts at the main parking lot and leads to the observation tower. It's an easy trail to walk, riding a bike is a little more difficult due to white sand and very wet areas near the lake. The tower was blocked off half way up but I could still get a good idea of what the area is like. It is marked by green hash marks on the trees.

Lake Kissimmee

Florida Box Turtle

Nine-Banded Armadillo

Lake Kissimmee

The Buster Island Loop is also a well marked 6.7 mile multi use trail that is an actual island. It is marked with white hash marks on trees. The trail starts at the Zipperer canal bridge and meanders through live oak forest.

Almost drove over this little guy on my bike

Even though this trail was well marked somehow I lost it and ended up on the red trail which is the equestrian trail. It all ended well. I rode back to the trailer for some much needed lunch. Because this is our last day at Lake Kissimmee I wanted to explore the last remaining trail. So after a very short nap I set out for the 6 mile Kristin Jacobs or yellow trail.

Someone found time to make this

I have to admit there was some apprehension about this park. The reviews were not great. The biggest complaint was the constant airboat noise. During our four days I heard only two airboats and they were the sheriffs department doing patrols out on Lake Kissimmee. It was so peaceful you could hear yourself think. How nice is that. Another fantastic state park explored.