Arcing northward along the shoreline of Lake Okeechobee, this paved segment of the Florida Trail offers spectacular sweeping views of the open water and nearshore marshes of one of America’s biggest lakes.
It’s here you encounter an interesting array of birds, from sandhill cranes to colonies of cormorants to caracara and bald eagles, if you keep a close watch on your surroundings.
Lake OkeechobeeWhile none of the communities around the lake are heavily populated, this is a population center, so you’ll see plenty of residents taking morning walks, bicycling, and walking their dogs.
One primitive campsite provides shelter along this segment, with easy walking access to motels and the Okeechobee KOA from Lakefront Park.
An ongoing closure at Taylor Creek has made it impossible to continue north from Nubbin Slough for many years. You may need to break this hike into two pieces to complete it.
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Overview
Location: Okeechobee
Length: 8.6 miles
Trailhead: 27.163076, -80.716079
Fees: Free
Restroom: At the Okeechobee trailhead
Land Manager: Army Corps of Engineers
Phone: 863-983-8101
Just like all other segments of the Florida Trail around Lake Okeechobee, there is no shade save at the covered benches provided. The entire section is paved.
It’s best not to leave cars at trailheads overnight. If you’re backpacking, inquire at the Okeechobee KOA about leaving your car there and offer to pay to do so. Tell them you’re hiking the Big O. They have often offered a camping discount to Florida Trail hikers.
Due to dangerous bacterial growth in the lake in recent years, backpackers should obtain water from potable sources at trailheads or from taps on water control structures and locks.
Directions
The southern trailhead for this hike is at Henry Creek, 8.4 miles south along US 441 from the intersection of US 441 and SR 78 in Okeechobee. A large sign marks the turnoff.
The northern trailhead is Cliff J. Betts Recreation Area. The access road to it goes up and over the dike across from the gas station at the intersection of US 441 and SR 78 in Okeechobee.
The intermediate access point is Nubbin Slough, along US 441 roughly halfway between the two. It’s a prominent recreation area with a large sign.
Hike
As we’ve learned over the many years we hiked this piece of trail as a part of the Big O Hike, it can be easily broken into three parts.
Henry Creek to Nubbin Slough
Leaving the parking area, cross the bridge and ascend to the dike. Turn right to walk through the S-136 water control structure, and say hi to the lock tender.
It’s the grasses that catch your eye next: tufts of delicate lovegrass with a pinkish hue and bushy wheat-colored grasses waving in slender sheaves.
The tallest grasses grow next to the Rim Canal, your constant companion on the right-hand side as you walk north to Taylor Creek, providing a screen from boaters should nature call during your hike.
Scattered cabbage palms sit down in that flat space on the right, near waterline, some close enough together to string a hammock between them.
Meeting a southbound hiker north of Henry CreekShallow, narrow marshes lie in a grassy haze along the left-hand side of the dike, blurring the line between lake and land.
After a mile, you come to the first sheltered bench on the left. This section has the most sheltered benches of any trail segment around the lake.
By 1.5 miles, the long straightaway you’ve been following starts curving to the left. Off to the right, across the Rim Canal, is a rookery of cattle egrets that start to rise with dawn.
It takes a quarter-mile to curve past the rookery, underlining a chief tenet of walking around Lake Okeechobee on the Florida Trail. All objects are farther than they actually appear.
Sweeping around a broad bay along the lake, the trail passes the community of Upthegrove Beach, which has services along US 441 that you can’t reach from here.
A lone cypress tree sits in the marshes of the lake at 2 miles, just as you pass the log cabin community on the Rim Canal on the right. Up ahead you can see the next shelter and a water tower.
Bench with marshy waters behind itThe dike curves to the left after the next sheltered bench, and now you can see the water tower at Treasure Island, marking the location of the Taylor Creek bridge.
The trail sweeps around to the right to come up to the next water structure soon after the MP 53 (Milepost 53 east, painted on the pavement) mark. This is Nubbin Slough, the “fishingest place on the dike.”
Approaching Nubbin SloughBackpackers should obtain water at the spigot on the S-191 for the upcoming campsite. You’ll need to treat it.
After you pass through the S-191 water control structure at 3.7 miles, there is a sheltered bench with an FNST symbol below to the right, adjoining the slough.
A large trailhead is on the lake side. Before proceeding past it, check to see if a notice is posted at the entrance road about a closure ahead.
Taylor Creek Closure Options
If the trail is closed north of this point, which it has been for years, you can either roadwalk around it or jump past it.
Unless you’re backpacking, skip the 2.5 mile roadwalk along US 441. There’s no bike lane and high speed traffic the entire way. Crossing the narrow highway bridge over Taylor Creek is a little unnerving, too.
The jump would be to the Fish & Wildlife office parking area on the north side of Taylor Creek.
Have someone drop you off there or leave your car for just the hour or so it takes to finish this section.
Otherwise round-trip down to Taylor Creek and back from the Okeechobee end of this hike.
US 441 crossing Nubbin SloughNubbin Slough to Taylor Creek
If the section to Taylor Creek is open, duck through the pass-throughs of the gates to cross this road.
The next visible landmark in the distance is the water tower at Taylor Creek, and beyond that, a cell tower at Okeechobee.
Wading birds are especially active here. This is where the bird life is at its finest on the Rim Canal. We’ve spotted both caracara and sandhill cranes on most visits.
The Nubbin Slough campsite is a sheltered bench with picnic table and fire ring by the lakeshore. It’s a pretty place for a primitive campsite and downslope enough to avoid traffic noise.
View of the lake north of Nubbin SloughBy 4.9 miles, the trail makes a jog to pass over a water control structure across from Butch’s Fish Camp.
Visibility is great, with shoreline of the lake receding in the far distance, around the Indian Prairie area, more than 20 miles away.
Although more marshes rim the lake, there is plenty of open water to behold as you approach the northernmost shores of Lake Okeechobee.
At 5.3 miles, a stand-out group of townhomes in a palette of vibrant, artistically-inspired colors reflect in the deep blue of the Rim Canal.
The next mile marker 55, is painted on the pavement ahead, the water tower and Taylor Creek lock now in clear view.
Anglers in the Lake Okeechobee marshesDrawing closer to highway noise, you may notice some cattle grazing around 5.8 miles, across from the sheltered bench, and a restaurant on the far shore. You’re approaching “civilization.”
The rest of the walk is squarely within the commercial zone of Okeechobee and Taylor Creek, but no worries. Keep your attention fixed on the beauty of the lake and ignore the clutter along the Rim Canal.
The dike curves right as it approaches the Taylor Creek lock. Leave the dike and cross the yellow-rimmed bridge to walk past a boat ramp and through a fish camp.
Following the creek, scramble up the berm to US 441 and turn left, walking carefully along the edge of the Taylor Creek Bridge – be very aware of traffic – to cross the creek.
Once you’re on the other side, turn left and walk down through the Taylor Creek RV Park on the access road to the dike, passing the Fish & Wildlife office just before the bridge that leads over to the dike.
Taylor Creek to Okeechobee
Climb up the hill to the dike on the north side of the Taylor Creek lock.
The next sheltered bench, at 7.2 miles, is surrounded by a patch of very compact and colorful wildflowers. Sit and savor the sweeping view of the lake and the butterflies and bees buzzing through the flowers.
Bench just north of Taylor CreekAnglers tuck into small coves amid the tall grasses of the marshes. We’ve spotted bald eagles among the cypress trees here.
The last sheltered bench is at 8.2 miles. You can see right down the trail to Betts Recreation Area. Around the pier, it’s been landscaped and a restroom with water added.
Lake Okeechobee pier at Betts Recreation AreaIt doesn’t take long to clear the last half-mile of hiking when you see the end in sight.
Wrap up your 8.6 mile hike at Lakefront Park, enjoying the view across Lake Okeechobee’s shimmering expanse.
Backpackers, Okeechobee is an ideal stop for resupply and a zero day for long distance hikers, as it’s the largest town along the Florida Trail south of the Orlando metro.
Southbound / Northbound
Florida Trail, Port Mayaca to Henry Creek 14 miles. In an arc between ancient natural shoreline and expansive waters, this hike along Lake Okeechobee's eastern shore offers unparalleled vistas.
Florida Trail, Okeechobee to Okee-Tantie 3.8 miles. On the sweep of Lake Okeechobee shoreline between Okeechobee and the Kissimmee River, expect some of the best birding along the lake as you walk along the dike.Suggested Articles
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Recreation areas at the north end of this hike
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See our photos from this hike
Nearby Adventures
More worth exploring nearby
Okeechobee Battlefield Historic State Park Okeechobee Battlefield State Park protects a part of the landscape where the Battle of Okeechobee occurred during the Second Seminole War on Christmas Day, 1837.
Taylor Creek STA Encompassing the ancient shoreline of Taylor Creek and man-made marshes, this wetlands park is a gem for birding and wildlife watching just north of Okeechobee. 
Rafael Sanchez Trail In a narrow slice of forest atop the relict shoreline of Lake Okeechobee, the Rafael Sanchez Trail stays in deep shade for its 5.7 mile linear traverse of the rocky Okeechobee Ridge.
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park Enjoy Florida's own big sky at the only state park in Florida where starry skies fill the horizon and an extensive network of trails - including the Florida Trail - provides access for exploration.
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