OKEECHOBEE COUNTY, Fla. — It's 54,000 acres of wide open space. Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park is one of the rarest and endangered ecosystems in North America.
"This is the largest grassland remaining east of the great plains in the United States," said park manager, Alex Creager. "It's one of the last places you can see truly wild Florida."
Home to the endangered Florida Grasshopper Sparrow, Kissimmee Prairie Preserve is a destination for bird watchers and for those who are looking to get away, like Michael Angelo.
"We needed a place to chill for a night, be really far away from everything," Angelo said.
Located in Okeechobee County, Florida, Kissimmee Prairie preserve is about a 30-45 minute drive north of Lake Okeechobee.
Visitors can take it all in all the park has to offer on a buggy tour, or simply sit back and relax.
When the sun goes down at this state park, it releases a whole new world to explore.
The preserve is an International Dark-Sky Association certified dark sky place, meaning it has a low amount of light pollution, making it a top destination for stargazers and astrophotographers.
"if there's a little enough light, that means you've got a place where you can actually see the night sky with good clarity," said Creager, "that's something that's really endangered in the United States right now."
Since receiving the certification in 2016, the park has had an increase of 14,000 visitors.
"It's something that people find unique about the place," Creager said.
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve has several campgrounds including the "Astro Pad," a five campsite location with strict limitations on lights and extra electrical hook-ups for high power telescopes.
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