Kissimmee Bend State Forest

Kissimmee Bend State Forest is located within the Everglades Headwaters and Kissimmee River Basin. The property was purchased through the Florida Forever Acquisition Program in April 2019 with the primary objectives of protecting regional water quality and implementing resource-based outdoor recreational opportunities. The name is derived from the distinct western bend in the Kissimmee River directly west of the property.

Kissimmee Bend State Forest [ 221.3 kB ]

The dominant features of Kissimmee Bend State Forest are the dry prairies and associated isolated wetland communities. Dry prairie once covered a considerable area in southern Florida, but much less remains today.

The property has been managed as open range since 1976 and is a part of the Triple Diamond Florida Forever Project. Public ownership will assist in protecting water quality and quantity in the Kissimmee River and Lake Okeechobee watersheds. Kissimmee Bend State Forest is managed by the Florida Forest Service.

Location

Located in Okeechobee County, Kissimmee Bend State Forest is bordered by Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park and the Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge Kissimmee Bend Unit. Other public lands in the vicinity include Avon Park Air Force Range, Kissimmee River Public Use Area, Fort Drum Marsh Conservation Area and Blue Cypress Conservation Area.

Natural Features

Kissimmee Bend State Forest’s biologically rich grasslands are a significant part of the Everglades Headwaters ecosystem. This unique ecosystem is known for its rare and diverse wildlife, including the Florida grasshopper sparrow, Florida scrub-jay and the crested caracara. The globally imperiled dry prairie is the primary natural community found at Kissimmee Bend, though examples of depression marsh, mesic hammock, slough marsh and wet prairie can also be found. Kissimmee Bend is within the footprint of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan.

History

Lightning fires have naturally maintained the grass communities and provided forage for numerous generations of cattle. Early settlers to the area gathered cattle left behind by the first Spanish explorers.

Recreation

Forest visitor parking is available at the Everglades Headwater National Wildlife Refuge entrance, and the public can enjoy hiking or biking access. Seasonal primitive camping is a planned recreational opportunity at Kissimmee Bend.

The entire state forest is within the Everglades Headwaters Wildlife Management Area and is open to regulated hunting under the direction of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Visit the FWC website for information.