This is a kayak trail that presents a challenge – 11 miles, three lakes, two creeks and a canal, all in a loop you paddle counterclockwise.
The trail nearly circumnavigates Lake Kissimmee State Park, most of which is located on land encircled by lakes and streams that form Buster Island.
Lake Kissimmee State Park is located on the Lake Wales Ridge east of Lake Wales. It’s a great park for camping, hiking and wildlife.
The pros of Buster Loop:
When we finished the Buster Island Kayak Trail – it took us almost seven hours — we felt a sense of accomplishment, and we enjoyed the wild scenery and birds along the way.
There was a bald eagle that flew overhead, several storks, lots of wading birds, coots and moorhens and a gator or two. It was a peaceful paddle where the only sounds we heard for hours were birds.The only boats we passed were a few fishermen on the lake and two motor boats and one air boat on Tiger Creek.
The cons of Buster Loop:
This trail is not for everybody. Paddling along the shores of large lakes can be windy and, because the view doesn’t change much, may get tedious.
It is a very sunny trail; not a good one for summer. And there are many miles of scenery that is OK but not spectacular.
The details:
The trail was designated as a state paddling trail.
You start in the least attractive section, the Zipperer Canal, where you must paddle two miles against a strong current. Until the end, when it reaches Lake Rosalie, the canal is straight and lined with tall grass but few trees.
The highlight, however, is the swiftly flowing Rosalie Creek with many twists and turns and the best scenery in the 11 miles. Because the current is so strong on Rosalie Creek, it’s an easy paddle where you can enjoy the natural beauty. Once you reach it, however, it would be very difficult to turn around. And there really is no other way to reach Rosalie Creek, home to wonderful cypress trees and live oak trees along its banks.
A few tips for tackling the Buster Island Loop kayaking trail:
- The park concessionaire rents kayaks and canoes. They are located on the east side of a dam on the Zipperer canal, and you must start the trail on the west side, so you have to somehow convey it (on your car, with a kayak-trolley or by carrying it) about a block. Here’s information on boat rentals.
- You put in at a boat launch located on the road to the historic Florida Cow Camp. After dropping off your kayak, move your car to the parking lot near the marina.
- There are very few places to land and picnic. Your best bet is along Rosalie Creek and a few spots on Tiger Creek.
- Another good place to stretch is a sandbar at the mouth of Lake Kissimmee as you exit Tiger Creek. (Look for the osprey nest.) This is near the end of the paddle, however.
- Tiger Creek is wider with sections where watchful cows remind you that you are in cattle country. It has a few air boats and motor boats.
- On Lake Kissimmee, watch where boats emerge and paddle in that direction until you see a tall sign that marks the entrance to the canal.
My recommendation? This is best for strong paddlers who are intrigued by an 11-mile route where you don’t cover the same stretch twice. Do it for the challenge.
If you’re just looking for a pretty place to kayak or canoe along the Lake Wales Ridge, we enthusiastically recommend Arbuckle Creek, about an hour south of Lake Kissimmee. It’s an easy out-and-back paddle along a creek with spectacular scenery.
Resources:
- Map and guide to Buster Loop Paddling Trail.
- Brochure and map about Buster Loop Paddling Trail (printable PDF.)
- Kayak and canoe rental at Lake Kissimmee
Details for visitors to Lake Kissimmee State Park:
- The Florida Cow Camp at Lake Kissimmee State Park, open on weekends, is an entertaining living history exhibit. Here’s a guide to visiting Lake Kissimmee State Park from Florida Rambler.
- For campers: Every one of the 60 Lake Kissimmee State Park campsites is shaded by oak hammock, and they are separated by vegetation to provide privacy. While my colleague Bob Rountree camped there during one visit, no fewer than four deer crossed behind his site and through a common area where the campfire ring is shared. Campsites are $20, including water and electric.
- Want to really get away? There are two primitive camping sites you reach via a several mile hike. Primitive campsites are available for $5. Day use is $5.
- Lake Kissimmee State Park state park website
- For campground reservations, call (800) 326-3521 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern) or TDD (888) 433-0287, or online at Florida State Parks.
Things to do near Lake Kissimmee State Park:
- Great birding near Lakeland: Circle B Bar Reserve
- A scenic drive in Old Florida cow country
- Yeehaw Junction Historic Desert Inn
The author, Bonnie Gross, travels with her husband David Blasco, discovering off-the-beaten path places to hike, kayak, bike, swim and explore. Florida Rambler was founded in 2010 by Bonnie and fellow journalist Bob Rountree, two long-time Florida residents who have spent decades exploring the Florida outdoors. Their articles have been published in the Sun Sentinel, the Miami Herald, the Orlando Sentinel, The Guardian and Visit Florida.