The Restored Kissimmee River: A Paddling Opportunity
Now that a multi-year restoration effort of the Kissimmee River has been completed, this historic waterway is being discovered by paddlers.
Overview
The Kissimmee Chain of Lakes and Kissimmee River stretches from Orlando to Lake Okeechobee. It is the headwaters of the internationally famous Everglades.
Historically, this system was paddled by Seminole Native Americans and used by steamboats.
A hurricane in 1947 caused massive flooding in Kissimmee and other communities at the top of the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes. Engineers thought up a plan to move floodwaters more quickly down the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes and River.
Between 1960 and 1971, the Army Corps of Engineers straightened and diverted the river’s flow to control persistent flooding. These alterations shortened the length of the Kissimmee by nearly half, significantly reduced wildlife populations, and created a lucrative real estate market that further threatened native species.
Soon, environmental activists began advocating for restoration of the Kissimmee River. In 1992, Congress acted to restore the middle portion of the river to its original flow. Restoration began in earnest in 1999. This photo shows a portion of the canal being filled while water is being restored to the original winding channel.
This aerial photo shows a restored section of the Kissimmee River after a section of the canal has been filled in.
Two dams in the middle river were removed, including this one by demolition.
With flow restored to the old river channel, dissolved oxygen levels in the water dramatically rose, boosting the river food chain.
Fish returned to the river ecosystem in abundance along with wildlife such as alligators, wading birds and snail kites. Learn more in this short video by LiveWildly and with this summary of restoration history by the Riverwoods Field Lab.
Now that the river restoration project is finished, kayakers and canoeists are beginning to paddle the waterway on multi-day trips.
Paddling the River
The South Florida Water Management District, with help from Florida Paddling Trails Association volunteers, have set up a series of primitive campsites for boaters and paddlers. The Office of Greenways and Trails features a blueway data book along with river maps to provide essential information. Also, the Florida Paddling Trails Association created maps and information accessible on their website .
All established campsites except for Coleman Landing at the beginning are managed by the South Florida Water Management District. Paddlers must reserve campsites by obtaining a Special Use License at no cost. Most sites allow up to 6 people. Leave No Trace principles should be followed.
For optimal wildlife viewing, it is recommended to paddle the river when it is within its banks (below 1400 cubic feet per second or CFS at S-65A Lock). There are two online gauges to check: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and South Florida Water Management District .
A good starting point is Coleman Landing at the Shady Oaks Campground , operated by Polk County. It is located on the southwestern end of Lake Kissimmee.
Tent camping is allowed at Coleman Landing and there are showers and restrooms. Most other campsites along the river are primitive with no amenities except for a picnic table and fire ring.
Map of Coleman Landing at Shady Oaks Campground.
Section One
After paddling south through the southern end of Lake Kissimmee, one has to pass through the S-65 Lock. Four water control structures are still maintained along the river--two at the top and two at the bottom--for flood control purposes.
The locks are easy to traverse. One simply has to pull a rope and a horn tells the lock keeper that you are ready to pass through.
The gates open slowly while paddlers hold onto a rope on the side. Lake Kissimmee is 55 feet above sea level while Lake Okeechobee at the bottom of the river is only 12 feet, so there is a 43 foot drop in elevation for the river's entire length. After the lock, the first few miles are along the C-38 Canal.
Accessible from the C-38 Canal, the Westgate River Ranch Marina offers numerous amenities.
The Blanket Bay Marsh campsite is the first primitive camping option.
The Town of KICCO Campsite, managed by the South Florida Water Management District, offers spacious primitive camping. It is shared with some car campers and those hiking the Florida National Scenic Trail , a 1,500-mile foot trail that runs from Big Cypress Swamp to Fort Pickens near Pensacola.
KICCO, pronounced kee-so, was once a large cattle town in the early 1900s. KICCO is an acronym for “Kissimmee Island Cattle Company.” Now, the bunkhouse, mess hall, company store, icehouse, power plant and steamboat landing are gone and the river views can be spectacular.
Map showing the Town of KICCO Campsite along the original river channel.
Section Two
After passing through the S-65A Lock, the C-38 Canal is bordered by Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park to the east and the Avon Park Air Force Range to the west.
After a few miles, the 44-mile restored section of the Kissimmee River begins!
Map of the restored section of the Kissimmee River with its sharp bends and wide floodplain. You can still see the imprint of the former C-38 Canal, now filled in. Zoom in or out using the plus or minus buttons on the right.
A new primitive campsite is the Boney Marsh River Run Campsite.
Like most of the primitive campsites along the river, the site can accommodate about six small tents and it has a picnic table and fire ring. Turn up the volume and click on ! High pitched leopard frogs and grunting pig frogs can both be heard.
Map showing the Boney Marsh River Run Campsite.
Section Three
From Boney Marsh, the river flows past the scenic Bluff Hammock area where there are also hiking and equestrian trails. This is a high pedestrian bridge over a side stream at Bluff Hammock.
Alligators are a common sight along the restored river. They often sink to the bottom of the river where they feel safe.
Bird life is also abundant in the restored river.
The Oak Creek North Campsite, along with the nearby Oak Creek South Campsite, is very spacious.
The Oak Creek North Campsite is marked by mammoth live oak trees!
Map showing Oak Creek North and Oak Creek South campsites.
Section Four
For an overnight fee, you can stay at the Riverwoods Field Lab if it is available. Advance reservations are required.
If not staying at Riverwoods, the 4E's primitive campsite and ramp is only a mile south.
The section around Riverwoods was the last to be restored and is largely open and scenic. Endangered snail kites moved in quickly.
Map showing Riverwoods and the 4Es Campsite.
The Chandler Slough Campsite is about eight miles past Riverwoods.
The Seaboard Marsh Campsite boasts a spacious sandbar at the right water levels. Be warned that the campsite was named after the nearby historic Seaboard rail line, so trains might roll past in the wee hours!
Interior view of the Seaboard Marsh Campsite.
Map showing the Chandler Slough and Seaboard Marsh Campsites.
Section Five
The restored section of the Kissimmee River ends at the S-65E Lock, but you can still paddle the old river channel to scenic Platt's Bluff where there is a ramp.
The last primitive campsite is near the S-65E Lock and is called the S-65E Impoundment Campsite.
Here is an interior view of the S-65E Impoundment Campsite.
The S-65E Impoundment Campsite affords a striking sunset view!
The S-65E Lock is the last water control structure on the waterway.
Map showing the S-65E Impoundment Campsite and S-65E Lock.
After nine miles on the C-38 Canal, the Kissimmee waterway ends at Lake Okeechobee. This is the C. Scott Driver Park just above the lake. Overnight parking is allowed with a permit from Okeechobee County Parks and Recreation (863) 763-6950.
Map showing C. Scott Driver Park near Lake Okeechobee.
Many adventures await along the Kissimmee River!
