I arrived at Lake Kissimmee State Park shortly after noon, stopping at the office to check into my site and get recommendations for hiking trails. I drove away with the park map loaded into my Avenza app. A small winding road took me through the park and finally to my campsite—one of two small sites—about three miles in. I set up my tent under the shade of live oaks and slash pines and headed out for my hike on the Kristen Jacobs Trail, the North Loop.

Kristen Jacobs Trail (02/27/2024)
The 6.5-mile Kristen Jacobs Trail appeared well traveled, maintained, and blazed. Surprisingly, this looped trail, covered with fallen oak leaves and pine needles and landscaped with saw palmetto, cabbage palms, and tall straight pines, showed no signs of boar activity. What an easy hike!

I loved the pine forest! Prescribed burns had left the forest transparent with smaller pines sprouting up, now easily competing for sunlight and nourishment. Standing on the trail, I could see through the trees and felt I could camp safely at the primitive site.

Back at camp, I started a fire and watched as the sky turned dark and the stars came out. I woke up to birds singing around my campsite.

Gobbler Ridge Trail (02/28/2024)
My first day at Lake Kissimmee State Park was all about the tall slash pines and a beautiful transparent forest. Day two, on the Gobbler Ridge Trail, it was all about the ancient live oaks dripping with Spanish moss and the golden prairie surrounding it.
The 2.5-mile trail began on concrete as I walked through the playground and past the lookout tower to get onto the dirt trail bordered by a prairie on one side and gorgeous ancient Southern Live Oaks on the other. After a bit, the trail turned to sand and traveled along Lake Kissimmee. I came across some water on the trail, but I easily walked around it.
This trail was great for walking/hiking, biking, and horses. I admit, I took longer than usual on this short trail, taking advantage of the brand-new benches to sit and reflect. Something about the beautiful golden grasses bending with a cool breeze invited me to linger. Back on the trail again, a bobcat ran across my path, in a hurry to get somewhere!
Departure
I stopped in the office when I left the park, and I chatted with Matthew, an inspiring biologist working on his second masters, about the trails. I asked him why the trails were so clear with no boar activity–this was unusual for any Florida trail. He explained that they do have a bad boar problem, but that they are on the trails daily keeping them clear. We talked about the pine trees and he explained the difference between long needle and slash pine, stepping outside to show me as well. What a great trip and wonderful state park! I would recommend this park to anyone and found the trails wide and safe enough (little or no water, no trail brush for ticks) to bring the kids.


















