In November 2007, Osceola County purchased the Camp Lonesome Conservation Area with funds from the Environmental Lands Conservation Program, formally known as SAVE Osceola. The property is 2,443 acres in size and includes 5.5 miles of hiking and horse trails. This beautiful piece of "old Florida" landscape is south of St. Cloud and east of Canoe Creek Road.
The property supports several imperiled or rare ecological communities and wildlife species. Camp Lonesome is an excellent mosaic of mixed hardwood wetland swamps, wet prairies, cypress ponds and pine flatwood communities. Wildlife on site consists of white tailed deer, wild turkey, gopher tortoises and variety of bird species, including crested caracara, barred owl and Eastern meadowlark.
Approximately 75% of the Camp Lonesome ecosystem is fire-dependent, meaning it requires prescribed fire to properly maintain the land. Fire opens the understory for new vegetation growth and returns carbon to the soil, which enriches the soil for further growth. Prescribed fire also reduces the fire load, therefore reducing the threat of wildfires.
Camp Lonesome is open to the public for passive recreational use and serves as a preserve for native wildlife and vegetation habitat. For safety and security purposes, Camp Lonesome is accessible by reservation only.
Please register on our chapter’s Eventbrite page so we know who plans to attend:
https://pinelilyft062219.eventbrite.com
Start Time of Field Trip: The field trip will start at 9 a.m. in the parking lot. There are composting toilets at the park. There is no drinking water onsite.
End Time of Field Trip: 12:00 noon (bring a picnic lunch to eat at the pavilion)
Contact # Day of Event: Eleanor Foerste 407-908-4379
Field Trip Leader: Eleanor Foerste, Education and Outreach Chair, Pine Lily Chapter FNPS
Park Entrance Fee: FREE (Please register beforehand on our Eventbrite page!)
https://pinelilyft062219.eventbrite.com
Degree of Difficulty: Moderate, natural trail, mix of sun and shade exposure. Trails may be seasonally wet.
Handicap Access: No. Natural trails are mowed, not paved.
Nearest Restrooms: Onsite
Nearest Gas Station: 13 miles, Circle K store, 3820 Canoe Creek Rd, St Cloud, FL 34772
Cell Phone Reception: Fair, depends on provider
DON’T FORGET TO BRING: Dress for Florida outdoors. Trails are in some full sun and some shade. Bring water, sunscreen, hat, insect repellent, snacks, optional picnic lunch, and proper clothing for the weather. Just in case, wear closed toe shoes that can get wet and bring dry shoes for ride home.
GPS Lat. 28° 2'21.81"N Long. 81°12'57.55"W
Driving Directions:
To Carpool: Meet at 8:15 am at the Park and Ride Parking Lot
901 Shady Ln, Kissimmee, FL 34744
• Turn left onto Shady Ln for 0.5 mi
• Turn right onto Partin Settlement Rd for 0.3 mi
• Turn left onto Neptune Rd for 3.5 mi
• Turn right onto Old Canoe Creek Rd for 4.1 mi
• Turn right onto Canoe Creek Rd for about 14 mi
• Watch for H & H Sod Sign and turn left onto dirt road. Proceed on narrow road under Florida Turnpike. Entrance gate will be on the left.