Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park sits in a remote area of Central Florida, approximately 30 miles northwest of Kenansville. The park encompasses 54,000 acres of protected prairie ecosystem at around 80 feet above sea level, with the flat terrain allowing for unobstructed views of the night sky. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity, while winter nights can drop into the 40s, creating varied camping conditions throughout the year.
What to do
Stargazing at certified dark sky site: Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park offers exceptional night sky viewing as Florida's only designated dark sky site. "Astronomers love this park. In fact, they have a designated campground just for them. Be sure to ONLY use flashlights with red lense so that you do not disrupt the star gazers," notes Annell N. from Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park.
Adventure activities beyond the resort: While staying near Kenansville, outdoor enthusiasts can explore lesser-known activities. "We did the air boat ride and it was a fun experience," shares Ilena R. about her stay at Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo. "We went on an airboat ride. It was great. We really enjoyed the rodeo," adds Susan K.
Wildlife observation on hiking trails: The natural areas surrounding Kenansville provide excellent wildlife viewing. "I was met with groups of wild turkeys and other animals and enjoyed peaceful wondering," shares Anjuli W. about her experience at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park. Another visitor noted, "We saw wild turkeys, deer, and even heard wild boars at night going through the campground."
What campers like
Private, spacious sites: Unlike the more commercialized glamping options, some campgrounds offer seclusion. "Campsites are far enough apart for privacy with lots of shades trees. Each site has a firepit," shares Stephanie G. about Lake Kissimmee State Park. Another camper described their site: "This site was very large, mostly level, with beautiful trees surrounding the site and great privacy."
Clean facilities: Visitors consistently mention well-maintained amenities. "Bathrooms were very nice and cleaned daily," reports Monte W. about his Kissimmee Prairie experience. At Lake Kissimmee State Park, Corey K. notes, "Bath house is very clean and at night the lights are on timers."
Waterfront options: Several campers highlight water access as a key feature. "We stayed in a lot on the water and on a lot by the woods. The lots were beautiful, spacious and private," says Katie F. about her stay at River Ranch RV Resort. The resort offers canal-side sites with views of sunrise and sunset.
What you should know
Remote location preparation: For glamping in Kenansville, Florida, visitors should plan ahead due to limited services. "Be sure to fuel up and have plenty of groceries," advises Annell N. about visiting Kissimmee Prairie. Another visitor elaborates, "Definitely bring everything that you need because there is nothing around for many miles."
Weather and seasonal conditions: Camping conditions vary significantly by season. "We stayed middle of July for 4 days. Only saw 3 other campers the whole time," reports Corey K. about Lake Kissimmee State Park, indicating summer's lower visitation despite heat. For winter visitors, Monte W. notes, "I stayed in late November of 2020 for two nights. All the sites were full during the first night."
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies widely across glamping sites near Kenansville. "Cell service is practically non existent in the park and within 10 miles from the park," warns a Lake Kissimmee State Park visitor. At Manatee Hammock Campground, which is further from Kenansville but offers different amenities, visitors have reported better connectivity for those needing to stay connected.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning for different ages: Families should research age-appropriate activities. "We did a swamp buggy ride, skeet shooting, petting zoo and rode a mechanical bull... and there was still more we could have done but ran out of time," shares Tina S. about the variety at Westgate River Ranch Resort.
Campsite selection for convenience: Choose sites strategically when traveling with children. "The site I got was close to restroom with kids is a must if you don't have other options," advises Nicole W. about her tent camping experience at Sherwood Forest RV Resort.
Bring transportation for resort properties: Consider how to navigate larger resort properties with children. "Bring your bikes as everything is a bit of a walk from the campground," suggests Ilena R. Others recommend golf carts for families: "You need a golf cart or bikes to get around," notes Vikki L.
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations between parks: RV glamping options in Kenansville area provide different utility setups. "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. For those preferring full hookups, River Ranch RV Resort provides more comprehensive options.
Site access considerations: RVers should be aware of potential access issues. "Be careful of low hanging tree branches when backing in," warns Denise about Lake Kissimmee State Park. At Orlando/Kissimmee KOA, RVers find more developed infrastructure: "We were headed up north from our week vacation in the keys and stopped here for the night. Great pull through concrete patio with fire pit!!"
Weather-related challenges: Seasonal conditions affect RV camping experiences. "While you can't blame the park for the weather, recently there's been a lot of rain and rigs of all sizes are up to their rims in muck," reports one RVer about soggy conditions. Concrete pads at some resorts provide stability during Florida's unpredictable rainy seasons.
