Osceola: Nature, Lakes and History

Natural and waterside landscapes, along with regional history, offer different ways to plan a trip to Osceola. When looking for a hotel, you can first consider whether conservation areas, trails or museums will shape your stay. Possible themes include rivers and lakes as well as open-air and military history.

Rivers, Lakes and Conservation Areas

Shingle Creek Regional Park lies along the upper reaches of the Florida Everglades. Shingle Creek begins in Orlando, meanders for 23 miles and then flows into Lake Tohopekaliga in Osceola County. You can explore the creek at several points in the park on foot, by bicycle or by boat.

Cherokee Point Conservation Area covers 183 acres along the shore of Lake Tohopekaliga. The area is regularly visited by wildlife, including the endangered Everglades snail kite, the Sandhill Crane and the Bald Eagle. The seasonal presence of individual species may vary. Twin Oaks Conservation Area covers 370 acres and is located on Lake Tohopekaliga, which is part of the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes.

Southport Regional Park offers access to Lake Tohopekaliga and opportunities for wildlife viewing. An on-site concessionaire offers airboat rides. At Kissimmee Lakefront Park, a different view of the lake meets an urban setting: the park lies between historic downtown Kissimmee and the shore of Lake Tohopekaliga. Its amenities include a fishing pier; boats can access the lake from Big Toho Marina in the park.

Trails, Landscapes and Outdoor Activities

Camp Lonesome Conservation Area features a variety of landscapes, including wetland hardwood swamps, wet prairies, cypress ponds and pine flatwoods. The area has horseback riding and hiking trails. Advance reservations are required for a visit: Camp Lonesome Conservation Area is accessible only by reservation for safety reasons.

Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area preserves a significant portion of the Kissimmee Prairie and other natural communities. Its lakes offer opportunities for motorized boating and paddling. Water conditions and access rules may vary seasonally. The trails may be wet at times.

Triple N Ranch Wildlife Management Area offers a range of outdoor activities: maintained roads and trails are available for hiking, cycling, wildlife viewing and horseback riding. At least nine known types of natural communities also make the area significant for regional wildlife conservation. Its history dates back to when the ranch was part of one of the last large open-range grazing areas in the United States.

Lake Runnymede Conservation Area covers 43 acres, is located on Lake Runnymede and borders East Lake Tohopekaliga in St. Cloud. The area has two short trails and a Native American shell mound. The designated trail lengths can be compared: Lake Runnymede has trails of 0.35 and 0.75 miles, Camp Lonesome has 4.5 miles of horseback riding and hiking trails, and Three Lakes has nearly 39 miles of scenic multi-use hiking trails. The different trail lengths and types offer practical points to consider when planning.

History and Culture

Pioneer Village at Shingle Creek is an open-air museum about the early settlers of Osceola County in the late 19th century. The Museum of Military History spans a broad period: its exhibits and artifacts cover the American Civil War, World War I and World War II, through to present-day conflicts. The museum includes a replica of the Florida Vietnam Wall, bearing the names of 1,952 Floridians who did not return from that war.

The history of the Silver Spurs Rodeo is also part of the region’s cultural offerings. It began with a gathering of Osceola County cattlemen in the early 1940s. Between rodeo events, the Silver Spurs Club Quadrille team performs in Kissimmee.

Explore more destinations

Explore more destinations: Kissimmee, Celebration, Saint Cloud, Four Corners, Sumter, Flagler, Seminole, Leon

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