Camp at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park
Okeechobee, Florida
Description
Added by Keith Curry-Pochy
One of the last remaining tracts of dry palmetto prairie is also Florida's first International Dark Sky Park.
Sweeping views of open sky and vast palmetto prairies greet visitors as they drive along the park drive. Here is one of the last remaining tracts of dry palmetto prairie, an ecosystem unique to Florida. This landscape is home to many rare species of wildlife, including the most endangered bird in the continental United States, the Florida Grasshopper Sparrow. During the day visitors can explore the hundreds of miles of trails. After the sun goes down the stars come out for a breathtaking view of the cosmos.
Kissimmee Prairie has 3 campgrounds; a family campground suitable for tents and RV's, an equestrian campground with stables, and a primitive campground two miles from the park office. Reservations can be made here: http://floridastateparks.reser...
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park is located 40 minutes from Yeehaw Junction off the Florida Turnpike.
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Camp at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park Reviews
Absolutely amazing camping and such a unique ecosystem. I’ve never quite experienced anything like it, and this ecosystem is the only one like it in the world. And the stars are phenomenal - it’s one of the darkest places along the southeastern coast. You can camp in style next to water, showers, free firewood, a shower, and laundry machine, with hiking trails and the exit path close by, or you can camp primitively. Both options are wonderful depending on your intention, but the primitive surely is an amazing experience. Also, if you just want to see the stars and drive home, you can! They have an observation area right outside the park. To the person who made this post, put the milky way picture first! It’s definitely one of my favorite aspects, outside of the amazing ecosystem (you will see plenty of wildlife)
5.0
Camped here overnight in March 2018 at one of the Astronomy pads. The trails are fine (admittedly only hiked a couple trails and for only a few miles), but the best part is spending the night in the park and taking in the dark sky.
5.0
Leave No Trace
Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!
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