Experiences & Amenities

Lake Kissimmee State Park hosts excellent opportunities for birders. The park's abundance of water, wetlands and numerous different habitats offers birders views of different water fowl and birds of prey. The scrub habitat throughout the park is home to the Florida scrub-jay.

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, sightseeing, bass fishing and pan fishing on some of Florida’s most pristine waterways.

The park has an on-site boat ramp and marina. Daily access and use of the boat ramp and marina may be impacted by wind-blown debris that can potentially block the canal and marina. We apologize for any inconvenience and are working toward a more permanent solution to this issue.

Glamping

Luxury Pioneer Tents - Experience comfortable, care-free camping.

Take a step back in time to experience Florida like a pioneer cow hunter!

Nestled in the secure and well-maintained family campground of Lake Kissimmee State Park, each Luxury Pioneer Tent offers a true camping experience without sacrificing the little luxuries of home.

Your site will include:

• A canvas wall tent with rugs.
• One queen bed with linens.
• End tables with lamps.
• Chandeliers.
• Interior and exterior seating areas.
• Additional plugs for charging your devices.
• Fire pit.
• Exterior lighting.
• K-Cup coffee maker.
• Heating/cooling unit.

Our heating/cooling units make for a comfortable night of sleep; however, you are still camping in a tent in the great outdoors. The heating and cooling units are only capable of so much in a canvas tent compared to an insulated building.

You can expect a 5- to 15-degree difference in the temperature from the outdoors. 

All sites are near the bathhouse.

• Reservations for Luxury Pioneer Tent

Sixty campsites are available with electric and water hookups. A dump station is located nearby. The camping area is located in an oak hammock that provides shade and a natural buffer for a little seclusion.

Park amenities include a boat ramp and marina as well as trails, a playground and an observation tower providing a view of Lake Kissimmee. Well-behaved pets are welcome in the campground in accordance with our Pet Policy.

Sites 15, 9, 49 and 52 have accessible amenities, including picnic tables, grills, and paved pathways to accessible restrooms (including a shower).

• Campers, please be aware that occasionally, for example, on holiday weekends, boating noise from Lake Kissimmee can be heard throughout the campground.
• Maximum recreational vehicle length is 55 feet.
• Reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance. For reservations, visit the Florida State Parks reservations website or call 800-326-3521 or TDD 888-433-0287.
• Please be aware that cell service and internet access within the park is limited or unavailable.

Primitive equestrian camping is available at Lake Kissimmee State Park. Come prepared: Water, electricity and restrooms are not available. 

Pets are permitted in accordance with our Pet Policy. For more information or to make reservations, please call the ranger station at 863-696-1112.

For those who prefer primitive camping, two campsites are located on the 13 miles of hiking trails within the park. Everything must be backpacked in, including water.

Each site includes two picnic tables and two ground grills. No facilities are available at either campsite. The sites are available for individuals or groups, with a maximum of 8 people per site. At least one of the camping party must be 18 years of age or older. Campers must arrive at the park at least three hours before sunset.

Pets are permitted in the primitive campsites in accordance with our Pet Policy. To reserve a primitive campsite, call the park at 863-696-1112.

Lake Kissimmee State Park offers two primitive youth tent camping sites. Each site accommodates up to 25 campers. A minimum of 12 campers is required to use each site. The sites are located just off the beaten path under ample shade provided by live oaks that cover most of the camping area.

Amenities include cold showers, restrooms, picnic tables and benches around a fire pit. The parking area is located less than 200 feet from the sites. Pets are permitted in the youth camping sites in accordance with our Pet Policy. Reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance. To reserve a youth campsite, call the park at 863-696-1112.

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 largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, chain pickerel and bluegill.

A boat ramp in the park offers direct access to Lake Kissimmee. For those without boats, there are fishing opportunities from the canal banks, marina and dam that offer the same variety of fish. The marina includes accessible parking spaces, restrooms and a fishing area.

All fishing within the park must conform to regulations concerning size, number, method of capture and season. 

• A fishing license may be required. More information is available at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s website, Fishing in Florida.
• You can purchase fishing licenses locally at Walmart or Camp Macks River Resort.

Geocaching is an outdoor game using hand-held global positioning systems (GPS) devices. It's effectively an inexpensive, interactive, high-tech treasure hunt that's a great way to learn geography. Participants use location coordinates to find caches. Some caches are easy to find; others are more difficult. The biggest reward is the thrill of the search and the discovery of a place where you have never been. Geocaching should have minimal impact to the environment and conscientious land-use ethics should be followed.

• Operation Recreation Geotour

The park offers 13 miles of hiking trails where you might see white-tailed deer, bobcat, bald eagles, sandhill cranes, turkeys and other wildlife. The trails take you through pine flatwoods, oak hammocks, by freshwater marshes and out to Lake Kissimmee. Take your pick from a half-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.

Bring your horses for a ride along the park's 6-plus miles of equestrian trails on beautiful Buster Island. These trails take you through some of Florida's most precious natural habitats, including pine flatwoods, scrubby flatwoods and some beautiful marsh lands. There is equestrian parking just across the cow camp bridge in the hayfields. This is considered a primitive area, so come prepared: There's no water, bathrooms or facilities on the island.

• Proof of negative Coggins is required.

Tour the waterways within the park or along the shores of lakes Kissimmee, Rosalie and Tiger. View the incredible birds and wildlife inhabiting the area known as the headwaters to the Everglades. Paddlers can launch their canoes/kayaks from the cow camp bridge to paddle Zipper Canal to Lake Rosalie, or from the accessible canoe and kayak launch at the marina out to Lake Kissimmee.

The scenic 10-mile Buster Island Paddling Trail is Florida’s 53rd state designated paddling trail. It is suitable for experienced paddlers and offers excellent fishing and wildlife viewing opportunities as it encircles Buster Island. Look at the story map for a virtual tour and download a paddling guide for the trail. Rent a kayak or canoe at the park marina’s camp store (open November to April). Call the store for rental information and reservations at 407-624-5640. The canoe/kayak launch is universally accessible.

• See the story map.

A large picnic area is located near the day use area of the park where large, sprawling live oak trees provide shade. There are numerous picnic tables and four pavilions available, including two accessible pavilions.

• For information on the availability and prices of renting the pavilions, please call the park office at 863-696-1112.

The picnic area offers plenty of space for reunions. There are three small pavilions that hold 20 to 25 people. One large pavilion that holds 100 people has electric. You may reserve the pavilions for a fee.

• To reserve a pavilion, please contact the ranger station at 863-696-1112.

Lake Kissimmee State Park has the facilities to host your wedding in the most beautiful outdoor scenery that Florida has to offer. There is a fee if you choose to rent a pavilion for use. Group entrance fees also apply.

• For information or to make reservations, please call the ranger station at 863-696-1112.