Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park Campground

Several miles of the absolute WORST park entrance road in America! We’re still picking up the pieces of our motorhome. The EXTREME washboard surface was almost impassable. It looked like a bulldozer had left it that way. If I hadn’t driven hours to get there I would have turned around and gone home. Just terrible if you’re driving a motorhome. The campsite was nice.

We stayed in January at this remote small campground in the middle of a very large park. There are endless road to bike and trails to hike. We tried to ride our bikes on the trails, but they can be quite bumpy and sandy, so be prepared. Alligators were seen sunning themselves, deer on the trails. The equine campground is a little bit away from the family campground (where there are laundry facilities). Both have great bath houses, showers. The evenings are so dark - we've never seen so many stars. They offer a weekly star gazing walk led by a ranger. Lots of birds of all types. Sites were large and level. The campground was full but the cabins (yurts) were not when we were there.

They recently installed a row of yurts in the equine campground. It has really created a noisy urban environment. So disappointed! We were kept up at night with loud music and noise. Music blaring all day long. These yurts hold several people and others joined during the day. Really hurts the quiet tranquil setting that Kissimmee Prairie Preserve used to be. Sad

Site 1 is shaded. Tight squeeze between trees if you want both the slide out and awning.
Choose one or the other if they’re on opposite sides.
It’s nice and wide but nice trees in the center for shade. I’ll take shade any day.

Bathhouse in Family campground has a nice dish sink with hot water and a boom library with some dvds.

Neighbors playing mandolin, which is a good sound. Very laidback.
Great place to see stars.

Date of Visit = 11/30 - 12/9/2020

Site #34 was in the Equestrian Loop, which we highly recommend over the Family Loop due to less crowding and quietness. Showers were clean & had great hot water, though weak spray. OATV = shopping channels, ION+ Most of the trails were waterlogged due to recent rains but main roads were dry and made for good walking/running/biking. There will be gators!

Critters Spotted = so many birds!
Crested Caracara,
ibis, egrets, turkeys, Carolina wrens, red-shouldered hawks, sandhill cranes (flying)
Alligators (big ones!)
white-tailed deer,
Eastern rat snake

Like a lot of places in southern Florida, this is out in the middle of NOWHERE so bring everything with you. You're a good 17 miles from a major highway. As others mentioned the last 4 or 5 miles of your journey thru no man's land is on crushed shell & sand (I wouldn't call it dirt) but dust & wash boarding could be an issue. It wasn't during our stay & the 25mph speed limit keeps the dust to a minimum. We were lucky to snag the only pull-thru site in the loop. I didn't swing wide enough entering the site with my class A & flat tow so I had to back up a smidge several times to avoid a confrontation with a palm tree, but all worked well. The loops look snug but I had no problems with a 37' class A with a tow. The pedestal is at the beginning of the pull-thru so check your hook up lengths before you park. My 50' power cord made it, but I needed an extra water hose, it depends on your setup. The back-in sites look straight forward but do have a post & sign to keep you from backing onto the grass. The site was level & spacious on the corner of the loop with views of the prairie. The fire ring is sunk into the ground & the picnic table isn't where I would put it but I've seen others move them. The right side of your rig will be toward the road if that's an issue for you (Privacy wise). Plenty of wildlife, hiking, biking & stargazing to be had. Didn't get to do the swamp buggy tour due to covid but will return at a later date. The bathhouse was clean but with only 2 showers I imagine a backup. Cell service on our Verison MIFI was 15.65dl & 4.3up speeds. Dump station & trash dumpster at loop entrance. No playground or water park for the kids or dog park for fido (both are welcome) JUST NATURE. Didn't try our satellite TV because we received 20 channels on the antenna. I'm sure reception is decent depending on the trees at your site.

We come here for the night sky, wildlife, solitude and relaxing atmosphere, we were not disappointed. We stayed May 17th - 20th and the weather was surprisingly comfortable with a nice breeze. The trails are well established and comfortable to walk or ride a bike (watch out for areas with soft sand). The camp sites are well maintained, mostly level, with close proximity to water and electric hookups. The office sells ice and there is firewood for sale at the 1st camp site loop (sites 1-20). Make sure you bring everything else you need, the drive into town will take a good portion of your day. Bikes can be rented at the office as well. If you are looking to slow down and relax with nature, this is the place for you.

The dark sky info interested me. It's dark, but not that dark. Good amount of stars visible, but not quite dark enough for good milky way gazing
The office staff were very friendly and helpful. The restrooms were modern and well kept. Good separation between sites allowing for good privacy. Like all camping in Florida, take and use bug repellent. They offer swamp buggy rides on the weekends, but if you are interested, better get that booked ahead of time.
Lots of wildlife, especially birds. Some of the other reviews mention washboarding on the gravel roads. There was some, but not bad.