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| State Park Overview: |
 | Florida's cowboy heritage comes alive with living history demonstrations of the early Florida "cow hunters" in an 1876-era cow camp, open 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekends and holidays. White-tailed deer, bald eagles, sandhill cranes, turkeys, and bobcats have been seen in the park, located on the shores of lakes Kissimmee, Tiger, and Rosalie. Visitors enjoy boating, canoeing, and fishing in the picturesque lakes. Nature students can hike over 13 miles of trails to observe and study the abundant plant and animal life. Six miles of trails are open to equestrians. A large, shaded picnic area with pavilions is available. The park has full-facility campsites, as well as a primitive camping facility. The youth camping area can accommodate up to 50 people. The dark skies make stargazing a popular nighttime activity for campers. Located off State Road 60 15 miles east of Lake Wales. |
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| Be the 1st to Review Lake Kissimmee State Park. You can rate it, post a comment on it, or do both. |
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| Camping: |
| Full Facility Camping
Sixty campsites are available with electric and water hookups. No sewage hookups are provided although a dump station is located nearby. The oak hammock in which the camping area is located makes this one of the most beautiful camping areas in the state.
Primitive Camping
For those who prefer primitive camping, there are two campsites located on the 13 miles of hiking trails within the park. Everything must be backpacked in including water. There are no facilities available at either of these campsites.
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| Trails: |
| The park offers 13 miles of hiking trails which showcase white-tailed deer, bobcat, bald eagles, sandhill cranes, turkeys, and other bird life. The trails take you through pine flatwoods, oak hammocks, by freshwater marshes, and out to Lake Kissimmee. You may take your pick from a ? 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. |
| Picnicking: |
| There is a large picnic area located in an oak hammock near the bottom of the park. Large, sprawling live oak trees provide shade for those interested in picnicking at the park. There are numerous picnic tables and four pavilions available. At the edge of the picnic area is a 40 foot tall observation tower where you will be able to view the upper part of Lake Kissimmee. For further information on the availability and prices of renting the pavilions please call the park office. |
| Boating: |
| 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, sight seeing, bass fishing, and pan fishing on some of Florida?s most pristine waterways. The park has an on site boat ramp and marina.
Join one of our park rangers on a guided kayaking/canoe trip. Tour the waterways within the park and/or along the shores of Lakes Kissimmee, Rosalie, and Tiger. View some of the incredible birds and wildlife inhabiting the area known as the " headwaters" to the Everglades. Several different tours are available, depending on water levels and weather. Bring your own boat, as there are no rentals in the park. Please call for times and dates, (863) 696-1112. |
| Fishing and Hunting: |
| 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 the largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, chain pickerel and bluegill. A boat ramp in the park offers direct access to Lake Kissimmee. For those without boats fishing opportunities from the canal banks, marina and dam offer the same variety of fish. Freshwater fishing in Florida requires a license for those who are 15 years or older. You do not have to have a license to fish with a cane pole as long as you are fishing in the county of your residence. |
| History of the Area: |
| European man arrived in Florida in the 1500?s but his presence was not felt here until the 1800?s. During the third Seminole War Fort Gardiner was built nearby as a temporary fortification. Later the area was widely used for timber and turpentine. The town of Rosalie was built and later abandoned after the turpentine industry pulled out of the area.
During the Civil War the area was used for raising cattle that were shipped to the Confederate Army or traded with Cuba for supplies. After the war, cattle were the main industry and this continues to the present day.
In 1969, the state of Florida purchased 5,030 acres of land from the William Zipprer estate for use as a state park. Lake Kissimmee State Park was opened to the public in 1977. An additional 900 acres were purchased in 1997 and added to the park?s western boundary. |
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| | Note to Park related businesses:
List your vacation cabin, weekend getaway, log cabin rental, romantic cottage, vacation home, resort, hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, country inn, campground, RV park, horseback riding stable, canoe livery, river rafting, outfitting, sporting goods store, guide service, RV rental or any other park related activity, park related attraction or park related service on Google or StateParks.com. (more).... |
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| Related Links: |
| Lake Kissimmee State Park - Lake Kissimmee State Park Overview. | | Wildlife Abounds At Lake Kissimmee State Park - from Tampa Bay Online - TBO.com News - a comprehensive news and information site from Tampa Bay Online, including breaking ... site feedback Wildlife Abounds At Lake Kissimmee State Park By DONNA FELLOWS and MAULISSA ... | | Wild turkey at Lake Kissimmee State Park - Photo of wild turkey copyright EcoFlorida magazine ... Wild turkey at Lake Kissimmee State Park |
| Directions: |
| Lake Kissimmee State Park is located off S.R. 60, 15 miles east of Lake Wales. |
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