|
Home >
Travel >
State Parks >
Florida >
Jonathan Dickinson State Park |
Jonathan Dickinson State Park
|
|
Manager's Message
Cooler days, less humidity and cooler nights await the visitor to Kissimmee
Prairie as we move into our busy seasons of autumn and winter. After a primarily
dry summer, the very late summer rains have once again filled the sloughs and
wetlands with water and the fall flowering is well under way.
We will be operating our Prairie Buggy tours again this season. Tours will begin
the weekend of November 4th, 2006 and will continue until the last weekend in
March 2007. Buggy tours are only offered on weekends and only those holidays
recognized by the State of Florida. Two tours per day are offered: one in the
morning and one in the afternoon. Be aware that the buggy holds 8 passengers.
Reservations can be made up to 30 days in advance by calling our preserve office
at: (863) 462-5360.
Fees for a Prairie Buggy tour are as follows:
Children 5 years and under and sitting on the lap of a parent: FREE
Children 6 years to 12 years: $8.00
Children over 12 years and adults: $15.00
Due to the burn ban this past summer, we will be conducting prescribed burning
during the fall and winter months....our busy season. For you the visitor, this
means that for your safety, different areas of the park will be closed
throughout the fall and winter while prescribed burning is in progress. I
recommend stopping by the preserve office before venturing out on foot, bike or
horseback to see what areas will be closed while we are burning.
For those who camp with us, fall and winter are no doubt the best times for star
gazing at Kissimmee Prairie. The nights are cool, the sky is clear and easy to
recognize constellations fill the night's sky on dark nights. When the moon is
full, campers can enjoy pleasant walks along the park drive at night without the
aid of a flashlight.
Whether you enjoy walking, hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, birding,
photography, or camping, make sure you come by the park office and enjoy a visit
while sitting on our front porch. You'll be glad you did!
- Charles M. Brown, Park Manager
Welcome to Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park
This preserve protects one of the largest remaining stretches of Florida dry
prairie, home to an array of endangered plants and animals. While driving the
five-mile-long road into the park, visitors can enjoy sweeping vistas of
grasslands reminiscent of the Great Plains of the Midwest. The park offers
excellent seasonal birding opportunities and is home to the endangered Florida
grasshopper sparrow, as well as the crested caracara and sandhill crane. Over
100 miles of dirt roads allow hikers, bicyclists, and equestrians to explore
prairies, wetlands, and shady hammocks. Ranger-led prairie buggy tours take
visitors to remote areas of the park. For overnight stays, the park has
full-facility and primitive equestrian campgrounds. Kissimmee Prairie's remote
location makes it one of Florida's premier locations for stargazing. Located 25
miles northwest of Okeechobee via U.S. 441 and County Road 724.
Contact the Florida Park Service Information Center for general inquiries.
For Information about Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park, please call
863-462-5360.
Book Your Vacation Spot Now!
Reserve America - Reserve your cabin or campsite today!
Get more information on making a reservation.
Hours of Operation
Florida state parks are open from 8 a.m. until sundown 365 days a year.
Driving Directions
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park is located approximately 25 miles north of
the City of Okeechobee. The Preserve is located 5 miles north of the western
terminus of Okeechobee County Road 724. US Hwy 441 and Okeechobee County Road
700A intersect County Road 724. The campground is located 5 miles inside the
park entrance gate.
Park Fees
Admission Fees - Currently admission is free
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park
33104 NW 192 Ave.
Okeechobee, Florida 34972
Phone: 863-462-5360
Fax: Contact Park for Number |
|
|
|
