Astronomy Pad

Star4.77
30 reviews
33104 N.W. 192nd Ave., Okeechobee, FL 34972
Stargazing

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

5 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

No Pets

ElectricShowers

Opens Florida State Parks site

Official Website

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

February 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

February 2026
Astronomy Pad
No fees available
Campsite Fees
Standard Site Fee$0.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Florida State Parks
Provider
866-455-2925
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What Campers Say

4.77

Top-Rated

Based on 30 reviews

34 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewspeacefulcleanshowers

Some mention

mosquitoes

"Visitors consistently praise exceptionally dark, clear night skies and excellent stargazing (Milky Way, countless stars) and value the park's remote, quiet prairie setting. Common negatives are heavy mosquitoes in warm months, strong sun/heat with limited shade, and a sense of remoteness with limited services nearby."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

33104 N.W. 192nd Ave., Okeechobee, FL 34972
No map location available
Driving directionsAccess via local roads; travelers report filling fuel near the turn onto FL‑70 before the final park road. Expect several more miles of park road beyond the entrance.
Accessible from FL‑70 with additional local/park roads; remote park roads several miles past the entrance.
Nearby supplies
Okeechobee area (nearest fuel, groceries and supplies)

Best Time to Camp at Astronomy Pad

Plan your celestial adventure for late fall through early spring (October through March), when mild temperatures and fewer mosquitoes create ideal conditions for comfortable camping and crystal-clear stargazing. Summer months bring intense Florida heat, thick humidity, and swarms of insects that can turn a peaceful night of astronomy into an uncomfortable challenge—save those months for the seasoned campers and die-hard astrophotographers.

Summer(Jun-Aug)
2.5 / 5

Florida summers are hot, humid, and stormy, reducing stargazing comfort and visibility.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.0 / 5

Fall/dry season likely offers clearer skies and comfortable nights for stargazing.

Spring(Mar-May)
3.5 / 5

Spring can offer good skies; seasonal growth/burns may affect scenery but not detailed here.

Best
Winter(Dec-Feb)
4.0 / 5

Milder, drier winter weather in Florida improves night visibility and comfort.

Planning Tips

    About Astronomy Pad

    Step into one of Florida's last remaining prairies and discover a stargazer's paradise. The Astronomy Pad at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve features vehicle-accessible camping sites beneath some of the darkest skies in the state, where the Milky Way stretches overhead in brilliant detail and light pollution rules ensure uninterrupted views of the cosmos.
    The park contains multiple camping areas including the astronomy‑designated pads and the main campground (Kilpatrick Hammock) with hookups; specific classification of the Astronomy Pad sites (primitive, tent, RV, group) is not explicitly documented in reviewed sources.
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    Amenities available

    Showers
    Potable water
    Electricity hookups
    Flush toilets
    Dump station
    Water hookups

    Activities you can enjoy

    Primary draw is astronomy/night-sky viewing and astrophotography from the Astronomy Pad; other common activities include hiking, biking, wildlife viewing/birding, and nature photography across the dry‑prairie landscape. Equestrian trails and a separate equestrian campground are available elsewhere in the preserve.
    HikingPrairie trails start near the campground and park office; routes range from short walks to long, exposed treks across open grassland.
    Biking
    Wildlife viewing
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    Policies & Safety

    Hazards & AlertsSevere mosquitoes and biting insects in warm/wet months, strong sun and heat with little shade, typical Florida wildlife hazards (alligators near water, snakes), and remoteness with limited cell/data service in places.

    Weather at Astronomy Pad

    Reviews

    4.8
    30 reviews
    Top-Rated
    Top-Rated
    Astronomy Pad is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews
    Visitors consistently praise exceptionally dark, clear night skies and excellent stargazing (Milky Way, countless stars) and value the park's remote, quiet prairie setting. Common negatives are heavy mosquitoes in warm months, strong sun/heat with limited shade, and a sense of remoteness with limited services nearby.
    Review Summaries
    Based on 30 reviews

    What Campers Love

    Outstanding dark‑sky conditions and unobstructed 360° views from the Astronomy Pad; peaceful, remote prairie setting; good facilities in the main campground (clean bathhouse with hot showers,...
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    Based on 30 reviews

    Pro Tips & Recommendations

    Book around new‑moon periods and check weather for best astronomy; visit Oct–Mar for cooler temperatures and fewer mosquitoes; bring all supplies (food, fuel) as nearby services are distant; pack...
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    Based on 30 reviews

    Camper Quotes

    Campers report the sky 'opens like a bowl' and praise seeing the Milky Way with the naked eye; others warn they were 'dive‑bombed' by mosquitoes in summer and recommend returning in winter for...
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    Based on 30 reviews

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    Last updated February 17, 2026
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