Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park

Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park is a Florida state park, located approximately 40 km (25 mi) north of Okeechobee, off US 441. The preserve protects the largest remaining tract of Florida dry prairie, an ecosystem shaped by cycles of flooding and fire. The preserve lies adjacent to the Kissimmee River, an important headwater of the Everglades, the watershed of which the park lies within. Many rare, threatened, and endangered species inhabit the area, and the wide-open prairie landscape provides opportunities for birdwatchers and photographers. Three species found within the park of particular interest to birders include the Florida grasshopper sparrow, Audubon's caracara, and Florida burrowing owl. Thanks to its location in one of the darkest portions of the state, the night sky above the park measures in at a Bortle 3, allowing for viewing of the Milky Way and several Messier objects. The park is a certified International Dark Sky Site by DarkSky International, the first place within the state of Florida to receive such a designation. The park address is 33104 N.W. 192nd Ave Okeechobee, FL 34972. The visitor center is located 5 miles down the main road from the park gate.