Buster Island Loop, Lake Kissimmee State Park

The oak hammocks of Buster Island

Comprised of wet prairies, pine flatwoods, oak hammocks, and scrub, Buster Island is indeed an island, surrounded by three lakes and their associated waterways. The trail loops through a succession of varied habitats along the Lake Wales Ridge.

The loop starts near the 1876 Cow Camp, an interesting feature of this park. It provides a look at life on the Florida range for cow hunters, and is open on weekends. Turning away from the cow camp, follow blue blazes along a jeep road and into the forest. At 0.5 mile, the blue blazes end at the beginning of the white-blazed loop trail. Turn right into the pine flatwoods.

Look out into the open forest and start counting the deer. You’re sure to startle some as you cross their trails. After 2.2 miles of hiking, you see open scrub off to the left. On the right, thickets with loblolly bay and yaupon holly indicate that this area is usually damp. As the trail enters the scrubby flatwoods, it becomes a distinct pine-needle footpath edged by grass.

At 3.5 miles, the trail turns left at a double-blaze and enters the oak hammock. Butterfly orchids dangle overhead, catching your eye in summer with their long, grass-like leaves and tall yellow-green flowers with white lips striped purple. The trail skirts around a large flatwoods pond and meets the sign for the primitive campsite. Nestled under live oaks, the campsite has two picnic tables and several fire rings, but no water. It’s a great place to stop and take a lunch break after 4 miles of hiking, and a good overnight destination for young children. If you want to backpack in to the campsite, be sure to first register at the ranger station.