This Secluded Campground in Kissimmee Prairie Preserve Is One of Florida’s Best Kept Secrets

If you’re on the hunt for a secluded campground in Florida, look no further than Timberline Glamping, tucked away in Kissimmee Prairie Preserve. The state might be known for its beaches and all things Disney, but to truly enjoy a peaceful retreat, I suggest skipping the tourist traps in favor of a Dark Sky camping experience you’ll never forget. 

For those unfamiliar, Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park is a 54,000-acre preserve located within the Everglades headwaters. Located roughly 45 minutes from the nearest major town, Okeechobee—and its light pollution—Kissimmee Prairie Preserve is recognized as one of Florida’s best natural wonders, not to mention a must-visit designated Dark Sky park. 

While the state park offers plenty of secluded campsites across its full-facility family campground, equestrian campground, and astronomy campground, as well as its primitive camping area, all of these require you to bring your own gear to set up your stay. At Timberline Glamping, however, your luxury safari tent is ready and waiting, so you can check in, sit back, and marvel over the Milky Way while enjoying many of the regular comforts of home (though you’ll still need to bring food and cooking supplies).

Ahead, discover what makes Timberline Glamping Kissimmee Prairie Preserve one of the best remote camping spots in Florida.

Where This Campground Is and How Close It Is to Kissimmee Prairie Preserve

Timberline Glamping has eight outposts in Florida, including one directly inside Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park. This means that when you book a deluxe safari tent or a double safari tent—the two types of accommodations the luxury glamping company offers—you have direct access to the park and its awe-inspiring landscape, including more than 100 miles of trails and some of the most spectacular stargazing in the state.  

While Timberline Glamping Kissimmee Prairie Preserve won’t require you to drive to and from the designated Dark Sky park and nature preserve, it will require you to stock up on food and essentials before you come. Located roughly 45 minutes from town, 1 hour and 50 minutes from Orlando and West Palm Beach, 2 hours from Fort Myers, and 2 hours and 40 minutes from Tampa, it’s accurate to say that Timberline Glamping Kissimmee is one of the most hidden campgrounds in Florida.

What to Expect When You Camp Here

Camping at Timberline Glamping Kissimmee Prairie Preserve offers visitors the best of both worlds: direct access to exemplary outdoor adventure and optimal comfort while staying away from home. The peaceful retreat offers 410-square-foot deluxe safari tents with a king-size bed and bunk beds, as well as 280-square-foot double safari tents outfitted with two queen-size beds. Both types of tents come with electricity, a mini refrigerator, a Keurig coffee maker, and A/C and heating units. Outside, the safari accommodations feature hammocks, fire pits with cooking grates, a picnic table, camp chairs, and string lights. 

And yes, the glamping company also offers bathrooms on-site. The Timberline Glamping Kissimmee bathhouse has restrooms, showers, mirrors, outlets, and even laundry facilities to help visitors feel their best while enjoying off-the-grid camping. 

Things to Do Nearby

Remember, Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park is remote, so it’s less about what to do nearby and more about how to make the most of your time on-site. When staying at Timberline Glamping Kissimmee Prairie Preserve, guests have access to endless trails to walk, hike, run, bike, and ride; ample space to bird and butterfly watch (there are more than 150 recorded species of birds in the park, as well as 85 types of butterflies); and a vast canvas of sky to witness the galaxy like never before. 

Tips for Visiting

Being in Florida, Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park is known for swarms of mosquitoes and love bugs, particularly during spring and summer. So, if you’re hoping to enjoy a relatively bug-free getaway at one of the best remote camping spots Florida has to offer, your best bet is to visit in fall or winter. Visiting then also ensures milder temperatures and a lower chance of rain. That said, all of the tents are waterproof, and reservations won’t be canceled due to weather. 

Beyond when to visit, we’re happy to report that Timberling Glamping Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park is inclusive of who can visit. Dogs are welcome for a fee (the company just asks that guests don’t leave them alone in the tent). 

A final tip: Before making the trip to this hidden-gem campsite, rich in scenic surroundings, book your safari tent in advance. If you’re unable to make it in the end, be sure to cancel your reservation 14 days in advance for a 90 percent refund. Visit the Timberline Glamping Kissimmee Prairie Preserve website to book your stay at one of the best campgrounds in Florida.