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View from the observation tower at Lake Kissimmee State Park

Lake Kissimmee State Park

Discover the beauty of the land between the lakes east of Lake Wales while exploring the vast prairies and fern-laden hammocks of Lake Kissimmee State Park

Lake Wales      ( 27.972226,-81.378925 )      16.0 miles

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Deep in the heart of Florida’s heartland, ranching heritage lives on at Lake Kissimmee State Park, home of the 1876 Florida Cow Hunters Camp.

These frontier cowmen – never cowboys, m’am – stir up storytelling completely in character on weekends, right in the middle of a historic ranch.

But the most compelling reason to visit Lake Kissimmee State Park is hiking. Sixteen miles of well-marked trails connect oak hammocks to prairies to the shores of Lake Kissimmee itself.

Backpackers will delight in two backcountry camping areas set in beauty spots. Campers find the frontcountry campground one of the finest in Florida.

State park entrance sign At the park entrance


Resources

Resources for exploring the area

50 Hikes in Central Florida Central Florida Orlando Explorers Guide book cover Hikers Guide to the Sunshine State book cover

Disclosure: As authors and affiliates, we receive earnings when you buy these through our links. This helps us provide public information on this website.


Overview

Location: Lake Wales
Length: 16 miles in four trails
Trailhead: 27.972226,-81.378925
Address: 14248 Camp Mack Rd, Lake Wales
Fees: $4-5 per vehicle
Restroom: At the marina and the picnic area
Land manager: Florida State Parks
Phone: 863-696-1112

Open 8 AM to sunset. Hours may change, check ahead. Leashed pets welcome.

Carry plenty of water when hiking. Wildlife is abundant, so bring a camera and keep well away from alligators along the canals and lakes.

View from tower across grassland to Lake Kissimmee


Directions

 
From the junction of US 27 and SR 60 in Lake Wales, head east on FL 60 for 9.7 miles to Boy Scout Camp Road. Turn left and drive 3.5 miles to Camp Mack Road. Turn right, following this road 5.4 miles to the park entrance on the right. After you enter through the ranger station, the park road twists and winds through the oak hammocks that dominate the North Loop. Continue along the park road past the campground and the turnoff to the Cow Camp, reaching the parking area next to the marina. All trails can be accessed here.

About the Park

Protecting more than 5,800 acres along the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, Lake Kissimmee State Park sits between Lake Kissimmee, Lake Rosalie, and Tiger Lake.

It is both intimate and immense. In ancient live oak hammocks, delicate orchids bob in the canopy. Sandhill cranes offer haunting cries as they glide over broad open prairies.

Sandhill cranes under large live oaks Sandhill cranes walk through an oak hammock


For an overview of the contrast between the two, your first stop should be the observation tower at the edge of the picnic area.

Standing at the edge of an oak hammock, it overlooks a vast grassland stretching to the shores of Lake Kissimmee.

Staircase leading down from tower The tower provides a distant view of Lake Kissimmee


Living history is a core facet of this park. This landscape was previously a cattle ranch. The 1876 Florida Cow Hunters Camp teaches lessons from the past.

Herds of Florida scrub cattle, hearty stock dating back to Hernando de Soto’s march across Florida in 1539, roam the wide open spaces of Buster Island.

Prairie grasses Trail users on Buster Island may encounter free-roaming cattle


Equestrians have a six mile loop around Buster Island – an actual island between the lakes – to explore, and their very own primitive campground.

For a state park that is largely focused on recreation, the amount of wildlife here is astounding. We’ve never had a visit where herds of deer didn’t appear.

Armadillo We’ve seen armadillos and tortoises along the trails, too


Flocks of turkeys roam across the roads. Caracaras and other uncommon birds are regularly sighted, including whooping cranes and Florida scrub-jays.

In addition to the popular campground and the miles of hiking trails that draw visitors to explore the park, recreation also extends to the water.

A marked paddling loop tests the mettle of serious paddlers to connect together the three lakes.

Picnic table and retention wall along canal Walkway near the marina


Boaters can make use of the marina and canal to navigate the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes for some fine fishing.

For simply relaxing in nature, there are picnic tables at the marina. Closer to the campground is a large picnic area with pavilions and a playground, overlooking the prairie.

Picnic pavilion under oak canopy Picnic area in a live oak hammock


Hiking

There are four named trails within the park, three of which interconnect and two of which have primitive campsites along them for backpackers.

All of the trails are well marked at intersections. The longer loops have mileage markers along them.

Trailhead kiosk and hiker sign Three of the trails start at this kiosk near the marina


Flatwoods Pond Trail

The shortest and gentlest of the hikes, the Flatwoods Pond Trail is an easy 0.4-mile interpretive loop that circles a pond in the woods across from the main trailhead kiosk.

Along it, look for some ancient saw palmetto as well as pines that bear the scars from a prior turpentine operation in these woods.

Oaks, saw palmetto, and pines

Flatwoods Pond Trail

The sole interpretive trail at Lake Kissimmee State Park, the Flatwoods Pond Trail shows off habitats and history in a short loop not far from the campground

Gobbler Ridge Trail

The 2.8 mile Gobbler Ridge Trail is the only one that takes you to Lake Kissimmee. It starts at a kiosk at the picnic area parking area.

It first leads out through the edge of the hammock to the park’s only observation tower, which provides a sweeping view of the prairies and the distant lake.

Grassy trail on the edge of a forest Along the Gobbler Ridge Trail


Follow the lime green blazes from the base of the tower along the rim of the prairie to a junction that leads to a loop out along the lakeshore.

The walk along the lake is always windy and provides panoramic views, from the wide open water of Lake Kissimmee to the narrower channel occupied by a fish camp.

Lake to horizon with palm tree in foreground Lake Kissimmee as seen from Gobbler Ridge


The loop portion is strictly in the open spaces near the lake. To get there, it’s a round-trip along the prairie edge.

This trail interconnects with the North Loop, should you want to plan a longer hike.

Oaks and palms along the path

Gobbler Ridge Trail

From its showy start with a climb up an observation tower to its breezy loop along Lake Kissimmee, the Gobbler Ridge Trail offers scenic views all along its length

North Loop

The main trailhead by the marina provides a connector trail to the 6.8 mile yellow-blazed North Loop, which winds its way through hammocks and pine flatwoods just south of the park drive.

After it crosses the park drive within sight of the entrance station, it continues through open prairies and scrubby flatwoods.

Trail through saw palmetto and scattered pines Pine flatwoods along the North Loop


Its primitive campsite is set in a showy live oak hammock about three-quarters of the way through the loop.

A 0.8 mile linear connector trail links the North Loop and the Gobbler Ridge Trail. Using the outer side of both, you can make an 8.7 mile loop back to the main trailhead.

Signage for trail junction Junction with the connector trail to Gobbler Ridge


It’s also possible to shorten the loop by way of a couple of crossovers along it. Two trailheads along the park drive provide access to these.

Trail leading to ancient live oak trees

North Loop

Crossing the Lake Kissimmee State Park park drive multiple times, the 6.8-mile North Loop is the easiest trail to access within the park, offering excellent birding

Buster Island Loop

The more popular loop for backpackers because it leads out into a wilder area of the park, the Buster Island Loop is a 6.9 mile hike.

This white-blazed trail starts at the main trailhead by the marina, which also connects to the North Loop. Cross the wooden bridge over the Zipprer Canal to access the start of the loop.

Deer standing on trail White-tailed deer on the Buster Island Loop


For much of its length, the hike stays in the shade of the oak hammocks along the rim of a large prairie, another of the reasons for its popularity.

A favorite destination for families easing into backpacking, the primitive campsite is roughly halfway around the loop.

About 5 miles into the hike, the trail emerges from the oaks and leads across scrub, pine flatwoods, and the prairie before sealing the loop.

White blazed tree and trail into forest

Buster Island Loop

The 6.9-mile Buster Island Loop at Lake Kissimmee State Park is a favorite for both day hikers and backpackers, as it shows off a variety of habitats along the open prairies

Biking

Since it winds for nearly 3.5 miles through the wild habitats of the park, the park drive is a popular destination for cyclists.

The extensive system of forest roads on Buster Island as well as much of the trail system is open to cyclists, except where posted.

Dirt road in woods Biking a dirt road on Buster Island


Boating

Slicing through the park and built long before its acquisition, the Zipprer Canal drains Lake Rosalie into Lake Kissimmee.

Boaters are welcome to use the ramps at the park marina for access into the lakes. A camp store is located at the marina and is open during the winter months.

Boat basin and launch Launch area at the marina


Camping

Set under a canopy of live oaks, the campground at Lake Kissimmee State Park is one of the more popular ones in the state park system.

Fifty-four campsites accommodate RVs, trailers, and tents in the main campground. Four sites are accessible and one is tent-only. Leashed pets permitted at all sites.

Water and 30 amp service are provided. There is a dump station and bathhouses that include laundry facilities.

Fees run $20 per night plus the booking fee to Reserve America, which you do not get back if you cancel or change your reservation.

Deer looking at camera Deer in the woods near the campground


Since there is an easy two day’s worth of hiking at the park, it’s worth an overnight stay to enjoy the starry skies after dark.

Backpackers have their choice of two backcountry destinations, each of which is only a few miles from the trailhead. Sites must be reserved in advance, and water must be carried in.

Picnic tables in a clearing Flatwoods campsite along the North Loop


Organized youth groups have the opportunity of renting a beautiful destination campground set along the Gobbler Ridge Trail in its own oak hammock.

It includes picnic tables and an outdoor amphitheater area. Its proximity to the prairie’s edge facing Lake Kissimmee makes it a perfect place for star parties.

As we’ve learned on our hikes and overnights here, the buzz of airboats from both Lake Kissimmee and Lake Rosalie can be very annoying after dark. Make sure you bring earplugs, especially on weekends.

Picnic tables under oaks Group campsite along the Gobbler Ridge Trail


Paddling

Paddlers are welcome to put in at the marina or the bridge to Buster Island to explore the Zipprer Canal connecting Lake Rosalie and Lake Kissimmee.

A designated 11 mile loop, the Buster Island Paddling Trail, connects the three lakes at the park.

It’s a fair-weather journey that requires some planning. Check with the park to see if water levels are high enough for the journey. Wind can be an issue on the open water.

Wind making grasses in a large lake sway Lake Kissimmee


Due to currents, a counterclockwise loop is recommended. The trail uses the Zipprer Canal, Rosalie Creek, and Tiger Creek to make a loop around Buster Island.

There are open water paddles along the edge of Lake Rosalie, Tiger Lake, and a cove in Lake Kissimmee. Airboats may be a concern as they don’t expect paddlers.

Kayak and canoe rentals are available during the season when the camp store at the marina is open, November to April.

Download a map and guide from the Office of Greenways and Trails

Canal as seen from wooden bridge Zipprer Canal


Trail Map

Lake Kissimmee State Park Trail Map Lake Kissimmee State Park Trails


Explore More!

Slideshow

See our photos of Lake Kissimmee State Park


Nearby Adventures

More worth exploring while you’re in this area.

Tiger Creek Preserve scrub ridge

Tiger Creek Preserve

Edward Bok’s “Jungle,” a deeply folded landscape between Tiger Creek and Patrick Creek south of Lake Wales, is protected by The Nature Conservancy as Tiger Creek Preserve.

Wet prairie at SUMICA

SUMICA

With up to 6.2 miles of trails – many of them a bit wet – SUMICA is one of the natural lands in Polk County where birding is especially superb.

Crooked Lake Prairie

Crooked Lake Prairie

With an interlinking network of loop trails, Crooked Lake Prairie is a refreshing excursion into habitats found on the high hills of the Lake Wales Ridge

Atop Iron Mountain at Bok Tower Gardens

Bok Tower Gardens

Atop one of the highest hills in the Florida Peninsula, Bok Tower Gardens is one of Florida’s most spectacular landscaped gardens, “something to appeal to both man and animal, a meditative place,” as envisioned by Edward William Bok in the 1920s.

Trail Map (PDF) Reserve Campsite Official Website

Category: Backpacking, Biking, Camping, Canoe & Kayak Rentals, Central Florida, Day Hikes, Florida State Parks, Hikes, Loop Hikes, Nature Trails, Paddling, ParksTag: Best Camping, Big Trees, Birding, Boating, Car Camping, Developed Camping, Family-Friendly, Favorites, Fishing, Florida State Parks, Historic Sites, Lake Wales, Lake Wales Ridge, Living History, Observation Towers, Opt Outside, Picnic, Playgrounds, Primitive Camping, Wildlife Viewing

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