Thirteen miles of hiking trails skirt floodplain forests, prairie hammocks, and carpets of bright-colored lotus and pickerelweed. We like the six-mile Buster Island loop trail. The level trail, wandering through towering hardwood trees, is easy enough for all members of the family. While hiking, we keep our eyes out for wild turkeys, deer, and bald eagles we've seen them here before. Fishing at lakes Kissimmee, Rosalie, and Tiger is reputed to be some of the best in the state.
Visitors can launch their own boats or simply fish from the canal banks, marina, and dam areas.
Visit historic Cow Camp, which depicts the days when this area was the heart of Florida's frontier cattle country. A costumed cow hunter talks about old times and offers samplings of camp coffee. Grazing nearby is a herd of Florida scrub cattle. Climb an observation tower. But we're content to meander quiet trails, happy to be far from the madding crowds.