Heading Downstream on the Kissimmee River? You May Need to Plan Ahead

NPS Photo/Kiss

According to the National Parks Service, the 1400-mile Florida National Scenic Trail "passes through a variety of habitat types including beaches, hardwood hammocks, pinelands, prairies and cypress."

Boaters and hikers will be affected by a planned three-month closure of the S65-A boat lock and a portion of the Florida National Scenic Trail near the boat lock on the Kissimmee River beginning on Monday, July 14 for a maintenance project. The lock and trail segments are located some 20 miles south of SR 60, east of Lake Wales.

The closure was announced by the South Florida Water Management District and affects the Florida National Scenic Trail access points located west of the S-65A boat lock, located in Polk County, and to the east in Osceola County.

No specific project details were announced, however all public areas within a one-mile radius of the project site will be closed for the duration of the project, leaving the S65-A boat lock closed to boaters until the project is completed. The announcement stated that "boaters should plan alternate access to the Kissimmee River."

The lock is used to regulate water flow and allow boating access along the Kissimmee River. The project is expected to be completed and access reopened to the public by Oct. 24, 2025.

The Florida National Scenic Trail runs approximately 1,400 miles from the Big Cypress National Preserve in the south to the Gulf Islands National Seashore. A portion running through the Seminole Reservation has restricted access.

Courtesy SFWMD

S-65A boat lock on Kissimmee River in southeastern Polk County will be closed until late October, according to the South Florida Water management District.

Additional information about closures of South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) public lands can be found at https://www.sfwmd.gov/community-residents/recreation. For questions, please contact Nicolle Masters at 407-760-3203 or mnmasters@sfwmd.gov.