The view from the campgrounds is extraordinary.

IMAGINE STEPPING OUT OF AN AIR-CONDITIONED TENT AN HOUR AFTER THE SUN SETS. You’ve started the grill to cook dinner and make s’mores, and look up to a sky full of stars you didn’t know existed. It’s easy to pick out the Big Dipper and other constellations, and you might even see a nighttime rocket launch from Kennedy Space Center. Everyone in the campground is outside staring up at the universe instead of at their phones. All things you never see at home. This is the beauty of Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park.

One of only three designated dark sky locations in Florida, Kissimmee Prairie Preserve is located on 54,000 acres, 115 miles southeast of Orlando. So don’t be confused thinking this state park is located in the city of Kissimmee.

The word “Kissimmee,” derived from the Calusa, an indigenous tribe that once lived in the area, means “the long water.” Named after the Kissimmee River, which flows from the Orlando area down south into Lake Okeechobee and forms part of the chain that feeds the Florida Everglades, the preserve protects the river’s remote, marshy floodplains. That remoteness from Central Florida’s typical tourist sites is what makes it so special.

The view from the campgrounds is extraordinary.

What Makes Kissimmee Prairie Preserve a Dark Sky Park?

Dark Sky International certifies parks, reserves, communities and other locations based on a variety of qualifiers. For parks and sanctuaries, they must all have a certain amount of darkness, which is measured by the brightness of the zenith of the sky. The Milky Way must also be visible to be seen by the unaided eye.

Once a park is certified, it must submit annual reports that include updated sky quality data and maintain at least four dark sky-dedicated events per year to continue outreach. There are currently 162 certified dark sky locations in the United States, which include parks, communities and sanctuaries.

Less light pollution gives way to a stellar view of our beautiful solar system.

While the city of Groveland and Big Cypress National Preserve both have received dark sky destinations, Kissimmee Prairie Preserve, which received its designation in 2016, is the only state park out of the 175 in Florida to have one.

Amber Harrison, Dark Sky Places Program Manager at Dark Sky International, says that having dark sky designations is important because “it keeps (the locations) dark in the future, (since) those sites have to have lighting management plans, and those plans dictate how light is used in the future. So that protects (the land) and keeps it a nice, safe, dark haven for wildlife.”

he glamping experience offers a more comfortable way of experiencing this unique park.

What to Pack for the Trip

All campers visiting Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park should bring red-light flashlights or red filters for their lighting. According to Harrison, the red lights are used because of their wavelengths. Nighttime vision isn’t affected by red light the way it is by white light, which makes it easier to see in the dark. She also made the analogy of the red lights on car brakes: you can see them from farther away, and they don’t blind the eyes the way a car’s headlights do. Equally important, Harrison points out, is that “especially in a campsite setting (it’s important to use a red light) so you’re not disrupting other people’s nighttime vision as well.”

There is no place at the park to purchase food or water, so those spending the night need to be fully prepared before arriving. The park is located in a remote part of the county, so most grocery stores and gas stations are at least 40 minutes away. The best suggestion is to pack all food and ice into a cooler before hitting the road. Also, be sure to keep an eye on the gas gauge and fill up even if the tank is not close to empty as you get closer to arriving. There is no water filling station at the park, so bring all necessary drinking water (there is water for washing dishes, but it is not potable).

Also, remember to pack toiletries, a whistle for emergencies while hiking, along with plenty of sunscreen and insect repellent.

Timberline Glamping offers campers an air-conditioned retreat with the same amazing views.

What to Know Before Hiking and Biking the Trails

The land that Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park is now on was once part of Florida cattlemen’s history. And as part of the Everglades headwaters, the park is an important natural resource for the state.

Outdoor lovers can experience the park on foot, horseback or by bike. With more than 100 miles of trails that are accessible to both equines and humans, there is plenty of opportunity to explore what is the largest remaining section of Florida dry prairie.

With so much land to explore, park visitors must take precautions before heading out for a hike. The park has more than 20 trails with varying levels of difficulty and completion times. The open prairie landscape can also be disorienting – trails are cleared and maintained, but they tend to blend in with the grasses and trees and can make people feel like they’re lost. Research trails before leaving, and remember that not all the trails are loops, so they may end farther from where they started.

Saw palmettos dot the landscape.

Before beginning, make sure to carry a fully charged cell phone, a full reusable water bottle, and a whistle for emergencies. Take down the emergency ranger number posted at the start of the trails and plan to end at least one hour before sunset to allow time in case of delays. Most importantly, let someone know what trail you’re headed out on when you begin.

Don’t forget to keep an eye out for wildlife all around while on the trails, but especially in the air. The preserve is home to six endangered and threatened bird species and six bird species of special concern. Ask a ranger where to go to try to spot the rare-to-Florida white-tailed kites that have been nesting in the area.

Is Kissimmee Prairie Preserve Worth the Trip from Orlando?

Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park is a side of Florida that most visitors and many residents miss. Far from the theme parks and busy roads, visitors can relax and create memories amid its wide-open prairie and expansive views of the night sky. Whether it’s spotting a deer on the trail, watching wild turkeys strolling through the campground or lying next to a tent trying to see who can identify the most constellations, it’s the kind of trip that will be remembered and talked about for years to come.

Camping and Glamping Under the Stars

Since the park closes at sunset, staying overnight at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park is a must for visitors who want to see the night sky unobstructed. There are several ways to spend the night in the park, and showers and restrooms are within walking distance of most campsites. Camping in all Florida State Parks is a popular option and requires planning and reservations.

RV and Traditional Tent Camping

The park has 35 sites for tents and RVs that aren’t longer than 65 feet. Water and electricity are available at each site, and a water filling and dump station is nearby.

Glamping at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve

For those who want to stay at the park but aren’t into roughing it, Timberline Glamping offers the option of sleeping in the park in complete comfort. Their tents are on a raised platform and have an air-conditioning/heating unit, a coffee maker, a mini-fridge, electrical outlets and comfortable bedding, along with enough space for at least four people and bunk beds to accommodate families. There is also a fire pit and a charcoal grill at each site, and guests can add a telescope to their reservation for an even closer view of the sky.

In addition to the comfort of glamping, the tents are designed for the park’s Dark Sky designation with thicker tent materials, dimmer interior lights and red light bulbs for all the outdoor lighting.

Astronomy Pad Campsites

Unlike other Florida State Parks, Kissimmee Prairie Preserve offers the option to rent an astronomy pad campsite. Designed with serious stargazers in mind, the astronomy pad campsites are not intended for casual campers because of the strict rules involved.

Each rented pad includes electricity and water and accommodates up to 8 people and 2 tents. To help control light pollution, fires are not permitted at this location. Also, no lighting other than filtered red lights is allowed in the astronomy pad campsites, including camping equipment and cellphone lights. Arriving well before sunset to check in with the ranger is important to ensure all equipment is set up and doesn’t impede other guests. The ranger’s station closes at 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and at 2 p.m. on weekends and state-designated holidays.

Equestrian Campground

Kissimmee Prairie Preserve offers 10 equestrian camping sites for those who want to bring their horses to the park. Each site has a paddock, electricity and water and a central water source for the horses at the campground entrance. The equestrian campground has its own bathroom and showers within walking distance.

Primitive Camping

Three primitive camping sites are located 2.5 miles from the ranger’s office and can only be reached via bicycle or on foot. Each primitive site has a fire ring, and everything must be taken in, including water, and taken back out. There are no restrooms near the primitive camping sites. Visitors spending the night there must check in two hours before sunset to ensure they arrive before nightfall.