Lake Kissimmee State Park sits 27 miles southeast of Winter Haven in central Florida and offers equestrian campers additional primitive sites beyond the main campground. The park's landscape combines open prairie, dense forest, and lake access with temperatures averaging 70-90°F during summer months. Winter visitors experience milder 50-70°F temperatures with significantly reduced humidity and insects.
What to do
Trail riding routes: The park features several designated equestrian trails beyond the Buster Island Loop, including the 3-mile North Prairie Loop that crosses open grasslands. "The park was beautiful. The lake is huge and has lots of fish in it. There are deer everywhere and you can feed them," notes a visitor at Lake Kissimmee State Park Campground.
Wildlife photography opportunities: Early mornings provide optimal lighting for photographing the abundant wildlife. "We saw deers, owls, turtles, rabbits & a mama wild boar with her piglets," reports a camper who stayed at Colt Creek State Park Campground.
Astronomy nights: The limited light pollution creates excellent stargazing conditions during new moon phases. "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 one visitor to Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park.
Bird watching: The park's varied ecosystems support over 200 bird species with winter months bringing migratory birds. "Great place to enjoy the sky at night with no outside lights to disturb the viewing of the stars. The camping area is nice and peaceful," notes a Kissimmee Prairie visitor.
What campers like
Private campsites: The spacing between sites provides a sense of seclusion even during busier periods. "Campsites are far enough apart for privacy with lots of shades trees. Each site has a firepit. Bathrooms were clean. Lots of small trails to explore and tall watch tower climb for observation," shares a camper at Lake Kissimmee State Park Campground.
Equestrian facilities: Horse owners appreciate the dedicated facilities available at several parks. "Very nice facilities. Miles of horseback trails to ride. Very nice horse stalls to put horses in overnight. Perfect place for equine vacation!" comments a visitor at Alafia River State Park Campground.
Seasonal wildlife viewing: Different times of year offer varied wildlife sightings. "The animals just weren't afraid of humans. 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," reports a camper at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve.
Equestrian campground layout: The dedicated horse camping areas provide practical amenities for riders. "We stayed in site 19 for one night in early February. This site was very large, mostly level, with beautiful trees surrounding the site and great privacy," notes a Lake Kissimmee visitor.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Most equestrian campgrounds have minimal to no cell coverage. "Only saw 3 other campers the whole time. Park is super quiet and there is a ton of wildlife roaming. Cell service is practically non existent in the park and within 10 miles from the park," warns a camper at Lake Kissimmee State Park.
Seasonal variations: Summer months bring challenging conditions for both horses and riders. "The park offers water and electric hookups, spacious sites with good privacy between camping areas, and fire rings at each location," states a review of Lake Kissimmee.
Supply planning: Limited store hours require advance preparation. "Depending on where you go you can be in the sun for most of the hike. Parts of these trails can be filled with water (large puddles)," notes a visitor to Upper Hillsborough Preserve.
Water access considerations: Trail water sources can be unreliable depending on rainfall. "Nice level spots. Lots to around the state park," reports a Colt Creek State Park visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Educational programming: The park offers junior ranger activities during weekend mornings. "They did a fantastic job in all area's of their new campground. So much to do and it was so quiet and clean. The entire staff was so friendly and helpful," shares a visitor at Colt Creek State Park.
Family-friendly amenities: Several nearby parks offer additional facilities. "We really love camping here. The campground is well laid out and the campers really get into the Disney spirit with decorations. The bath houses are immaculate. There is bus service throughout the campground with bus and boat service to the Parks," explains a camper at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground.
Child-appropriate trails: Several shorter nature loops accommodate younger hikers. "Beautiful shaded sites and long biking/ trails," notes a Lake Kissimmee visitor.
Evening programming: Some parks feature interpretive programs. "We've been here four times, and definitely return. They definitely improved the road in!" shares a Kissimmee Prairie visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for horse trailers: Specific sites accommodate both RVs and horse trailers. "The long and windy ride in gives you a trip back to some real Florida. The campground is well maintained and has large, level sites. We have stayed in site 1 and 11 and didn't need blocks for either," notes a camper at Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo.
Hookup variations: Not all equestrian sites provide full hookups. "We stayed in the equestrian camp sites and most people didn't have horses (neither did we). While much of the park isn't shaded, most sites do seem to have at least some trees providing partial shade," explains a visitor to Hardee Lakes Park.
Low-hanging branches: RVers with taller rigs should exercise caution when navigating to equestrian sites. "Keep an eye on gas, there's one place about 6 miles from the park and town is about 15 miles away," advises a Lake Kissimmee visitor.
Winter availability: Horse campgrounds near Winter Haven maintain higher availability during non-holiday weekdays in winter. "Camp spots are big, flat with gravel parking areas. Power and water an each site for RV camping. Nicer (newer) bathrooms than most FL state parks," shares a Colt Creek visitor.
