Kissimmee Prairie State Preserve
Kissimmee Prairie State Preserve consists of over 84 square
miles of dry prairie lands along the eastern bank of the Kissimmee
River. The preserve was purchased in 1997 in order to protect the
endangered Florida Grasshopper Sparrow.
This is one place you want to make sure you don't stray off
the trail too far. According to the ranger, they found a live 100 lb.
bomb that managed to survive all the control burns they had done in the
past.
At the end of Military Grade Road there is a nice view of
the Kissimmee River. Just across the river is Fort Kissimmee.
Location
Located along the eastern side of Kissimmee River just
across from the Avon Bombing Range in northwest Okeechobee County,
Florida.
Directions
From I-95 exit 66A near St. Lucie, go west on State Road 68
(Orange Ave) for about 25 miles. Turn right on US Hwy 441, drive for
about 1 mile and then turn left on State Road 724 (Eagle Island Road).
Follow road until it ends (about 15 miles). Turn right on Peavine Trail
(dirt road) and follow road until you reach the park entrance (about 4
miles).
Hours
The preserve is open from 8:00 A.M. until sundown, 365 days
of the year.
Entrance Fees
None.
Camping
Both primitive and full facility camping is now available at
the preserve. For $12 a night you can get a nice campsite at Kilpatrick
Hammock campground, which is nestled among some very nice oak trees.
Each site is equipped with water and electricity. A large bathhouse and
laundry facility with hot and cold water is also available. Just a
short distance away is a horse campground with paddocks. Even if you
don't have a horse, you're welcome to camp there. For reservations call
Reserve America at 1-800-326-3521.
If it's privacy you want and you have a tent, then for $3 a
night you can camp at one of the 3 primitive campsites located in a
beautiful oak hammock next to a slough. Each is equipped with a picnic
table and a fire ring. Call the park office at 863-462-5360, if you
wish to reserve any of these sites.
Hiking, Biking and Horseback Riding
There are over 110 miles of old jeep trails at Kissimmee
Prairie. None of them are marked, so make sure you remember
how to get back to your vehicle. There's a trail map available at the
park office, but it doesn't have all the roads on it
yet. Note: This preserve use to be a
bombing range, so make sure you stay on the trail and avoid going near
any suspicious objects.
Maps
Color infrared aerial map
of Kissimmee Prairie showing roads and future camp sites.
Local Weather
Trail Reports
- 25-Jun-2001: Parts of the old Peavine Trail and
Military Grade Road have been improved. The road surface is very smooth
and easy to bike on. The old Sevenmile Slough wooden bridge
on Peavine Trail has been taken out and a new culvert has been
installed in its place. The park services have really done a nice job
in removing the canals and restoring the natural flow of the sloughs.
The place is looking really good despite being nearly wiped
out by a wildfire about 6 months ago.
Links
Last
updated on 13-Sep-2012
