Ocean to Lake Trail
Hiking through Corbett: On the Ocean to Lake section of the Florida Trail
At the crack of dawn this morning, two groups of backpackers left two significant bodies of water (the Atlantic Ocean and Lake Okeechobee) and headed towards each other on what’s become an annual Florida Trail Association tradition, the Ocean to Lake Hike. I had the privilege to be part of the very first journey several years ago, when we tested out the 72-mile route for its suitability. For more than a decade, volunteers from the Loxahatchee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association have worked with a variety of land managers to make the dream of a broad greenway corridor between the Atlantic Ocean and Lake Okeechobee a reality.
The Ocean to Lake Trail links together a number of shorter trails that have been existence for years through Palm Beach and Martin Counties at Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Corbett Wildlife Management Area, and DuPuis Reserve. You can enjoy any of these trails as a backpacking trip or series of day hikes. However, the Ocean to Lake Trail is not open to the public in its entirety yet since it crosses Riverbend Park west of Jupiter, which I hope to see fully open this year. There are some crossings of private land near Lake Okeechobee as well. But I expect this trail to open fully within the next year or two, and it is heartening to hear of forward movement on the project with the announcement of a trailhead at the new Sandhill Crane Park in Palm Beach Gardens.
As a veteran of the hike (who wishes she were out there right now on this beautiful day!) I can vouch for the beauty of the trail, where rare and colorful Everglades wildflowers emerge from the prairie grasses in Jonathan Dickinson State Park and Corbett WMA, where hanging gardens of bromeliads await in the Hole in the Wall, and where you experience the unique by walking between sugar cane fields and stands of banana trees in the agricultural lands near Lake Okeechobee. 
It’s an experience worthy of any backpacker interested in the habitats of South Florida. The annual hike underscores the importance of this trail to the local communities, and is your most enjoyable way to take the trek with a group. One of our group called ahead and arranged for a pot of chili to be bubbling at the campsite on the last day out! It was a nice wrapup to two cold days of hiking … you can see me warming my wet socks over the campfire in the photo below.
Take a Hike! Announcements and signups for the Ocean to Lake Hike go out in January in the Florida Trail Footprint, or you can check the Loxahatchee Chapter website. Space is limited, and you must be a Florida Trail member and an experienced backpacker to attend. Meanwhile, if you want to enjoy a little bit of the trail for yourself, head on over to Jonathan Dickinson State Park and take a walk on the East Loop Trail! The park is located along US 1 between Tequesta and Hobe Sound.
April 24th, 2007 at 9:56 pm
On Sunday April 22nd 2007 my dad and I hiked the trail from the C-18 canal in Jupiter which is located right behind my fathers house in Jupiter Farms. We headed on a 45 minute hike which took us straight to the designated camping area. We set up tent for the evening and hiked all the way to the southwest side of the C-18 canal. We trompled through the florida rain forest like we were in the Amazon jungle.We had such a great experience and we saw lots of wildlife including 15 wild hogs. I enjoyed my time so much that me and my dad are planning to do it again real soon. Thanks a bunch. Had a great time.
Nathan Maddox
February 24th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
I wanted to take time to thank you for posting this information. I found it to be very interesting and helpful. I look forward to you writing again soon. Thank you again.