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Length: 32.6 miles (linear) A former cattle ranch, the Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area (which includes the Prairie Lakes Unit) is a wetland restoration project, bringing the hydrology of the region back to what it was before Hamilton Disston started his first drainage projects around Lake Kissimmee in 1910 to open up new agricultural lands. The wet prairies around Lake Kissimmee provide crucial wintering grounds for both sandhill cranes and whooping cranes. The trail passes through palmetto prairies and pine flatwoods, open scrub and prairies. In the rainy season, you will wade in many places.
 From its northern trailhead, the Three Lakes section makes a good weekend outing, as it has several loop trail options. The through-trail follows the west side of the South Loop and the east side of the North Loop, through half of a figure-8 configuration. Each trail junction has good signage, necessary to avoid confusion. The trail in Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area consists of two loop trails and two linear trails connecting the loops to the north end and the south end of the WMA. The two loop trails, North Loop (5.6 miles) and South Loop (5.6 miles), are within the Prairie Lakes Unit.
The Three Lakes Trail wanders through marsh, meadow, hammock, and pine forest. As in all Wildlife Management Areas, there is an abundance of animals. Deer are plentiful. Hikers may also see bald eagles, Audubon's caracara, and the stately sandhill crane.
 The Three Lakes trail in Osceola County is on Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area (WMA) land. The north end is on US 441, 8.3 miles north of Kenansville (2.5 miles north of Three Lakes main gate) and 10.6 miles south of Holopaw. The 3.4 mile connector trail to Bull Creek begins here. The south end is on SR 60 west of the Kissimmee River bridge. The trail turns north at the WMA access road, 4.5 miles east of the bridge. The Prairie Lakes loop trails are within the Prairie Lakes Unit, which is embedded within the Three Lakes WMA. The connecting road walking route northwest up the Western Corridor to the Green Swamp East Trail is via SR 523. An alternate connecting route to the Bull Creek Trail is being developed that follows US 441 north for three miles and turns east through Florida Forever property.
Disclaimer: While FTA strives to maintain accurate information and is constantly updating its geodatabase, the trail and development along the trail corridor is constantly changing. The data has been collected from a variety of sources and accuracy varies. FTA provides this data for recreational purposes only and does not intend the data as a survey.
Centerline data Florida Trail System (c) 2007 Florida Trail Association, Inc. Park at the north end (along US 441) at your own risk. In the Prairie Lakes Unit, parking is available at the entrance, at the Lake Jackson boat ramp and at the Lake Jackson Observation Tower. At the south end, park near the hunt check station on the WMA access road off SR 60. The trail offers level walking through hardwood hammocks, cabbage palm groves, prairie and pine palmetto areas. Wading may be necessary during the wet seasons. Overnight hiking is possible through the entire area. The loops in the Prairie Lakes Unit are ideal for day hiking. You must have a permit to camp in the Prairie Lakes Unit. Write to the Director, Central Region, FWC, 1239 SW 10th St., Ocala, FL 34474. Include the planned date of your visit, your intended campsite, and your auto tag number if you will be parking inside Prairie Lakes unit. Verbal permission to camp can sometimes be obtained (to be followed by a letter) by calling 352-732-1225. Check with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for Prairie Lakes unit special hunting dates. Backpack camping is permitted in the Three Lakes WMA during the general gun hunting season for thru hikers only. Non-thru hikers should check with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to be sure camping is permitted when you plan to visit. Camp only in designated areas. Day use fees are in effect at the Prairie Lakes Unit. Fees are posted near the entrance. Thru hikers without vehicles are not required to pay fees. Wear blaze orange during all hunting seasons. |
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