Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park is all about wide open spaces, which is why the Florida Trail makes good use of it along the Kissimmee section.
It protects a remnant of what was once the vast Indian Prairie north of Lake Okeechobee as well as the marshy natural floodplain of the eastern shore of the Kissimmee River.
On clear nights, the stars come out. This is Florida’s only dark sky park, with its own special camping area just for astronomers who set up telescopes and cameras to capture the night.
As darkness approachesOur Florida Trail Books & Guides
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Overview
Location: Okeechobee
Trailhead: 27.584143, -81.045166
Address: 33104 NW 192nd Ave, Okeechobee
Fees: $4 per vehicle, $2 pedestrian
Restrooms: at the visitor center
Land manager: Florida State Parks
Phone: 863-462-5360
Open 8 to sunset daily. Leashed dogs welcome but not recommended along Military Trail due to the alligator population.
Directions
At the junction of SR 60 and US 441 just west of Florida’s Turnpike at Yeehaw Junction, head south on US 441 for 18 miles to NW 240th St (CR 724). A brown sign points the way to the state park.
Meet NW 176th Ave (CR 700A) after 12 miles. It connects to US 98 at Basinger. Continue another mile straight ahead. The road makes a 90-degree turn north onto NW 197 Ave. Continue straight ahead for another 7.9 miles, passing through the park gate and two trailheads. The road makes a 90-degree turn west. In 1.4 miles, it reaches the parking area at the Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park ranger station.
About the Park
The sheer magnitude of this landscape grabs you on the five mile drive from the front gate to the ranger station.
A horizon-to-horizon landscape of layers of waving grasses recalls scenes of Nebraska or Kansas prairies, but with the signature saw palmetto of Florida.
Wildlife along the entrance roadHome to many species of birds, these open vistas also lend themselves perfectly to birding. Kissimmee Prairie Preserve is the last place that the Carolina parakeet was seen, commemorated with a sculpture at the visitor center.
One of the duties of this preserve to to keep the Florida grasshopper sparrow from going extinct. This federally-endangered species is found nowhere else in the world but the dry prairies flanking the Kissimmee River.
A late-day warning from a cottonmouth on the park roadTouring Kissimmee Prairie Preserve
The preserve has more than 100 miles of multi-use trails open to hiking, bicycling, and equestrian use. Most of the trails are along old ranch roads.
During the winter months, volunteers lead guided swamp buggy ecotours along this road system, letting you get deep into the preserve without getting your feet wet.
Natural sloughs slice through the preserve, draining the prairies towards the Kissimmee River. They are not bridged. To follow the trails, you must wade through them or wait for them to dry out.
The sometimes-challenging terrain and big mileage is why the preserve is particularly popular with equestrians. There is one campground optimized for equestrian use.
Over these vast prairies, weather appears quicklyCamping at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park has three separate developed campgrounds, a primitive campground, and two primitive backcountry campsites.
Campsites in any of the three campgrounds provide an outlet, potable water, and access to the bathhouse with its hot showers and washer and drier. A 50% discount applies for Florida residents over 65 and those on disability.
The central part of the main campground is under the oaksMain Campground
To the east of the ranger station, the main campground is under the oaks in Kilpatrick Hammock.
While it tends to be booked up with repeat winter visitors in RVs, you can sometimes grab one of the quiet spaces along the inner rim.
The outer rim, with its prairie views, books up first and is also where park volunteers are housed in their RVs.
Sunrise and sunset put on such a show that all campers tote their camp chairs to the edge of the palmetto prairie to watch.
During the winter months, a volunteer leads star parties on a regular basis, a treat for campers. This campground features a large bathhouse with a laundry area and outdoor sink for doing dishes.
Dusk falls on the prairie viewed from the main campgroundEquestrian Campground
West of the ranger station along Military Trail, the Equestrian Campground is tucked into the rim of the big live oaks of Kilpatrick Hammock.
The campground features direct access to the trails, a paddock, and space for horse trailers. However, it does not have a bathhouse. A single composting privy is shared among campers.
Tent camping with friends at the Equestrian campgroundStargazers Campground
Astronomers will appreciate being able to point their telescopes into the crystal-clear skies north of the ranger station. There are no residences or towns close enough to create light pollution.
These are called the Astronomy viewing pads when you book a campsite. No campfires are allowed and you must only use red spectrum lights at night to not affect the eyesight of other campers.
Campers using this campground must walk to the main bathhouse in the main campground, about a quarter mile away.
Stargazers campgroundPrimitive Camp
A primitive campground with three campsites is 2.5 miles along the Prairie Loop Trail. A pitcher pump is provided for water. Sites must be reserved. Primitive camping costs $5 per adult, $1 per child.
Situated under the oaks, the sites provide access to spectacular stargazing. Just walk out along the Prairie Loop Trail briefly to see.
Campsite 1 has a picnic table and fire ring. It looks out to the northeast from under the oaks. Campsite 3, with picnic table and fire ring, is a small niche looking out over the prairie.
Campsite 2 is deeply shaded, the oaks forming a roof over a broad grassy area with a covered picnic pavilion. It’s great for a larger group.
Primitive campsite on the Prairie LoopBackcountry Camping
There are two designated backcountry campsites along the Florida Trail, both with benches, a fire ring, and pitcher pump.
Cowboy Crossing is the southern one, in a shady hammock immediately south of the River Trail junction.
North Boundary campsite is the campsite for the Florida Trail, Kissimmee Prairie North, up along the northern boundary of the state park. It is also in a shady oak hammock with benches and a fire ring.
There is a $5 fee for backcountry camping, payable at the park office if you are hiking in on the Florida Trail.
Backpackers at Cowboy Crossing (Rich Quinn)Biking
While all of the trails in the list of hiking trails may be biked, not all of them should be. We’ve encountered deep water crossings and deep soft sand that our mountain bike tires couldn’t handle.
Military Trail is the top choice for biking at the preserve. It extends due west in a straight line out from the ranger station past the equestrian campground to the Kissimmee River.
The park entrance road also provides a solid unpaved surface for biking out to the main entrance from the campground.
Along with the park road, Military Trail provides a firm surface for cyclistsHiking
The Florida Trail is the star of the show at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve as it runs south to north through the entire height of the preserve, using existing trails.
Florida Trail, Kissimmee Prairie North See why Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park is Florida's only Dark Sky Park along this 11.4 mile "big sky" section of the Florida Trail.
Florida Trail, Kissimmee Prairie South Hike 13.3 miles through the southern extent of one of Florida's largest prairies while connecting the Kissimmee River with the heart of Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park.There are many other named trails to explore. Only two of the trails include some actual footpath along their length. Both are well worth hiking to get a feel for the wide open spaces and oak hammocks in this park.
Kissimmee Prairie Kilpatrick Hammock Trail Sample habitats found around the hammocks that dot the vast Kissimmee Prairie with this short loop around an old homestead site at Kilpatrick Hammock. 
Prairie Loop Trail On a day hike into one of our state's largest prairies, sample Florida's own big sky at the state's first International Dark Sky Park.The remainder of the named trails are former ranch roads with surfaces varying from soft sand to grassy. Slough crossings are common. Use a hiking stick for balance and expect wet shoes.
Since the landscape is so vast, it’s easy to get lost. Carry a map and GPS or compass and know how to use it.
The following trail list is taken from the park map that you can download at the bottom of this page. We’ve also encountered additional trails that connect to the Florida Trail at various points.
Sevenmile Slough, a crossing just north of the park officeTrails at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park
Audubon Loop Trails, 2.1 miles, loop
Pine Island Prairie Trail, 3.7 miles, linear
Gum Slough Trail, 4.2 miles, linear
Gum Slough Prairie Trail, 1.8 miles, linear
McClure Hammock Trail, 4.4 miles, linear
McGuire Prairie Trail, 1.7 miles, linear
Grasshopper Sparrow Trail, 4.0 miles, linear
Long Hammock Trail, 4.3 miles, linear
Duck Slough Prairie Trail, 1.6 miles, linear
Military Trail, 6.3 miles, linear
Five Mile Slough Trail, 3.2 miles, linear
Five Mile Prairie Trail, 3.9 miles, linear
Raulerson Trail, 2.3 miles, linear
Cutover Trail, 2.1 miles, linear
East Military Trail, 3.3 miles, linear
Peavine Trail, 1.7 miles, linear
Kilpatrick Prairie Trail, 2.6 miles, linear
Articles
Sunrise at Kissimmee Prairie (8/7/2025) A spectacular sunrise camping along the Florida Trail at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park makes up for the disappointment of stargazing foiled by weather. Essay by Rob Rogers.
When the levee breaks… (8/1/2017) ...Mama, you got to move. And so it goes for the Florida Trail, as the flood-induced breach in a levee along the Kissimmee River south of KICCO means the trail must move in order for clear passage north from Kissimmee Prairie Preserve.Explore More!
Slideshow
See our photos of Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park
Nearby Adventures
Florida Trail, Starvation Slough 7.7 miles. Discover a natural cathedral of ancient oaks and palms along a thin ribbon of public land fronting the Kissimmee River floodplain.
Florida Trail, Micco Bluff 11.4 miles. Ancient riverside forests and picturesque prairie panoramas along the Kissimmee River make a hike to Micco Bluff worth the walk
Florida Trail, Chandler Slough East 2.7 miles. Burrow deep into the oak hammocks surrounding a beauty spot of the campsite near the Kissimmee River on this short but satisfying hike.
Florida Trail, Chandler Slough West 3.7 miles. It looks like a mountain ridge from a distance, but Chandler Slough is a ribbon of cypress strand through the flat Okeechobee prairies. Follow its rim through beautiful oak hammocks and soggy marshes. 
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