Lake Kissimmee State Park provides diverse camping opportunities 20 miles from Dundee, Florida. Campsites accommodate equestrian needs with facilities for horses across varied terrain including prairie, hammock, and lakefront areas. The park features several camping options for horse enthusiasts beyond the main campground, with access to multiple trail systems that showcase central Florida's natural landscapes.
What to do
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Lake Kissimmee State Park's trails lead to observation areas where visitors can spot abundant wildlife. "Lots of small trails to explore and tall watch tower climb for observation," notes Stephanie G. The park's natural setting attracts diverse wildlife throughout the camping areas.
Night sky observation: Kilpatrick Hammock Campground offers exceptional stargazing opportunities in its designated dark sky area. "The night sky was pretty dark but I couldn't see the Milky Way (there was a half moon during my stay). I must be spoiled by the night sky out west," shares Monte W. The campground uses outdoor red lighting to preserve night visibility.
Biking excursions: Multiple parks near Dundee feature dedicated cycling paths. "Beautiful shaded sites and long biking/ trails," mentions Alexandra E. about Lake Kissimmee. These trails connect to wildlife observation areas and showcase natural Florida landscapes.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Lake Louisa State Park offers well-separated campsites. "All of the sites seemed level, most are quite private with a fair amount of trees/foliage in between sites, have a sizable picnic table and nice fire ring with grate," explains Cyndi B. The natural vegetation creates secluded camping spots.
Peaceful environment: The camping areas around Dundee provide quiet retreats. "We stayed middle of July for 4 days. Only saw 3 other campers the whole time. Park is super quiet and there is a ton of wildlife roaming," shares Corey K. Many campsites maintain distance from neighboring sites.
Bathroom facilities: Colt Creek State Park maintains clean restroom facilities. "Bath house was clean each time we used it. Park rangers were friendly each time we saw them," notes Lorilee S. Campgrounds throughout the region provide varying levels of bathroom amenities.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Winter and spring offer more comfortable equestrian camping near Dundee when temperatures moderate and insects decrease. "We've been here four times, and definitely return. They definitely improved the road in," shares Lauren W. about Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park.
Cell service limitations: Hardee Lakes Park and other rural campgrounds have variable connectivity. "Be careful of low hanging tree branches when backing in, and be aware that we had no cell service (this actually made us cancel another stay we had planned since we needed cell service for remote work)," warns Denise at Lake Kissimmee State Park.
Supply planning: Most campgrounds sit 20-30 minutes from stores. "Keep an eye on gas, there's one place about 6 miles from the park and town is about 15 miles away," advises Corey K. Campers should arrive with necessary supplies for their entire stay.
Tips for camping with families
Educational opportunities: Westgate River Ranch Resort offers unique experiences for children. "We went to the rodeo on Saturday night, did a swamp buggy ride, skeet shooting, petting zoo and rode a mechanical bull... and there was still more we could have done," shares Tina S. The resort provides structured activities beyond traditional camping.
Wildlife encounters: Family-friendly animal viewing happens throughout campgrounds. "Our 6 teenagers were so excited to stand face-to-face, only a few feet from gentle deer, bunnies, and turkeys. We even saw some lazy baby alligators sunning on the Military Trail," Roxxy G. explains about Kissimmee Prairie Preserve.
Accessible facilities: Several campgrounds feature handicap-accessible sites. "We had the handicapped site, plenty of room, wonderful neighbors. Our campground hosts were fantastic! Extremely clean restrooms, great washing machine and dryer," reports Lauren W. about Wekiwa Springs State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Green Swamp West Tract provides free primitive camping with essential amenities. "You can't beat Green Swamp West for nice and quiet free camping area," notes Robert H. The campground requires advance registration through the Southwest Florida Water Management website.
Hook-up availability: Many campgrounds offer partial hookups. "Only 30amp hook up and no sewer, but there is a dump station. The spots are pretty level and the pads are crushed shells," explains Corey K. about Lake Kissimmee State Park. Water and electric connections are standard while sewer hookups are limited.
Space requirements: Sites accommodate various RV sizes with considerations for tree clearance. "If you have a tall rv low hanging branches in the camp area might be an issue," warns Corey K. Most campgrounds near Dundee can handle larger rigs but require careful navigation on interior roads.
