Avon Park is N of Sebring and South of Lake Wales, accessed by turning E on SR 64 at its intersection w/US 27. The military makes it available to the public for recreational use, including hunting, mainly on weekends. You need a day use permit available for $10 day oor an annual family permit for $50. There are 3 campgrounds. The only one I've been in is Fort Kissimmee campground just off the west bank of the Kissimmee River. The
generator verboten campgrounds are south of the boatramp, the
generator allowable sites are north of the boat ramp. There are clearings along the shell rock road to pull into, there are some clearings big enough for 1 vehicle and we parked for MLK w/e in a clearing where we were the 4th vehicle. Some sites have tables, and fire rings.
There is a
solar heated shower near the boat ramp and the pit privies have been replaced with portalets.
The Florida Trail has been re-routed off the west bank of the Kissimmee where it depended on the river levees for access, the dechannalization took place about a decade or so ago. There are still some hiking trails available northwards towardthe Fort Kissimmee township cemetery and the ghost town of Kicco.
There's pretty good fishing off the bank, or via a boat. Reminder that Florida residentss over 65 do not need to purchase hunting or fishing licenses.
lots of gorgeous liveoaks with low to the ground branches if you feel like a spot of climbing, and lots of feral citrus in the woods (we got a grapefruit off one- small but tasty)
The entry road is paved to the gate and halfway to the campgrounds, and the entry road runs past a large field dedicated to longhorn cattle as well as the Avon Park Correctional facility.
There is a separate campground for active duty military.
You have to watch a video every time you purchase a permit about the types of bombing "leftovers" likely to be found, and if you find any- DO NOT TOUCH AND NOTIFY THE RANGERS ASAP!
Certain roads are closed by the military and the road closures can change daily, so even annual permit holders are asked to check each time (they give you a phone # you can use to check road closures)
Lots of wildlife, feral hogs, coons, deer, ospreys, occasional eagles, hawks, sandhill cranes and water wading birds.