Wilderness Landscape & Natural Heritage
The Kissimmee River Headwaters Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is located in Central Florida within Polk and Osceola Counties. It encompasses over 28,000 acres of floodplain habitats, forests, and wetland ecosystems that are critical to the health of the greater Kissimmee River watershed and connected Everglades system. The area protects the upper reaches of the Kissimmee River and its surrounding natural resource lands, supporting a variety of flora and fauna, including numerous waterfowl, wading birds, and several species of reptiles and mammals. Its wetlands and cypress domes serve as natural water filtration systems and flood protection during the rainy season. The WMA is managed primarily for wildlife conservation, hunting, fishing, and low-impact recreation. Visitors can enjoy over 40 miles of multi-use trails suitable for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding, many of which travel through pine flatwoods and near marshy borders. Kayaking and canoeing are popular in the river channels and connected oxbow lakes, offering wildlife observation from the water. The area's historical significance includes remnants of early Florida cattle ranching and hydrological restoration efforts that have helped revive the natural river flow after decades of channelization. The WMA's natural features and quiet, undeveloped setting provide excellent opportunities for birdwatching especially during migratory seasons. It appeals to outdoor enthusiasts seeking a combination of water, forest, and wetland environments within an accessible natural preserve less than two hours from Orlando.
