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KICCO and Blanket Bay Marsh On the west side of the Kissimmee River is the KICCO property. Pronounced KISS-oh, the area takes its name from the Kissimmee Island Cattle Company that operated here from 1915 through the late 1920s. KICCO contributed to the development of several central Florida towns that depended on beef production and river trade, including Kissimmee and Sebring. At one time, the KICCO settlement had homes, a bunkhouse, mess hall, company store, icehouse, power plant, schoolhouse and even its own steamboat landing. Nature and time have reclaimed the area, making KICCO a place where visitors can experience “old Florida.” In this region you will see a rich patchwork of habitat extremes, from scrub to marsh. KICCO has five primitive campsites equipped with picnic tables, a one-way bicycling path that extends for 10 miles on an old dirt road and 11 miles of the Florida National Scenic Trail. Horseback riders are also welcome, while fishing enthusiasts are likely to find bass lurking in the C-38 canal and the old Kissimmee River oxbows. A sheltered campsite, accessible only by boat, is available on the opposite side of the river at Blanket Bay Marsh. There are no hiking trails on Blanket Bay, which is mainly wetland. In the dry season from November through March, you can hike along the scenic river’s edge.
For More Information: DuPuis Management Area, (561) 924-5310, for camping and horseback riding permits, or request a special use license online at: www.sfwmd.gov/sul. South Florida Water Management District Okeechobee Service Center, (863) 462-5260, or FL 1-800-250-4200. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Southwest Regional Office (863) 648-3200, or 24-hour Law Enforcement (813) 558-5050.
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