Along this segment of the Florida Trail, a gap in the Herbert Hoover Dike makes for a radical change in surroundings on a circumnavigation of Lake Okeechobee.
Rising near the Lake Wales Ridge, scenic Fisheating Creek meanders past ancient cypresses and through a large marsh before splitting its waters as it reaches the lake.
Morning light in the floodplainAcross this floodplain, the Florida Trail follows a paved side path along SR 78. Otherwise, it’s atop the Herbert Hoover Dike.
The dike was closed between Nicodemus Slough and the Caloosahatchee River for much of a decade for reconstruction. Reopened, the surface is now fully paved.
Sugar cane field outside Moore HavenMarshes extend into Lake Okeechobee as far as the eye can see from the elevation afforded by the dike.
Sunrises are exquisite over the marshes, particularly at the Moore Haven end when fog rises off the lake in cooler weather.
Fog across the marshesOur Florida Trail Books & Guides
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Overview
Location: Moore Haven
Length: 10.3 miles linear
Trailhead: 26.832639, -81.08953
Fees: Free
Restroom: None
Land Manager: Army Corps of Engineers
Phone: 863-983-8101
Leashed dogs welcome. The first 0.9 mile is a roadwalk to access the trail atop the dike in Moore Haven. The trail is paved. Plan for zero shade. Sun protection is a must.
There is one designated campsite for backpackers along this stretch, although random camping is also now permitted at Fort Center.
Haul in water with you: water in the canals has agricultural runoff and the potential of dangerous bacteria.
Directions
From US 27 northbound from Clewiston, cross the Calooshatchee River Bridge and take the first right in Moore Haven onto 4th St. Turn right at the next block on Avenue H. Where it ends, turn left on 2nd St, then left on Avenue I. Turn right on 1st St to go under the overpass and left on Avenue J. Parking is in a strip along this block adjoining the library and park.
For the end point of this hike, take 1st St north to Canal Rd and turn left (trail access is at the end of the road to the right but has no parking). Canal Rd meets SR 78 in 1.9 miles. Turn right and drive 8.9 miles along SR 78 to the parking area on the right just before the road ascends to cross the dike.
Hike
A lack of parking at the dike means a roadwalk to get to it. From the parking area by the library, walk over to the Caloosahatchee River.
Start this hike at the historic Lone Cypress, a navigational aid for sailors to find the Caloosahatchee before the river was turned into a ditch.
Lone CypressFollow Riverside Dr under the overpass and parallel to it to reach to 1st St. Turn right and walk past the old motel, mobile home park, and boat ramp along residential 1st St.
After 0.7 mile reach a T intersection with Canal Rd. Turn right and continue 0.2 mile on this narrow dead-end to reach the dike.
If there is room to park at the boat ramp you can start here and knock off a quarter mile of roadwalkCabbage palms dot the sweep of terrain down to the lake, which at this end is cloaked in a blanket of marsh.
The diagonal of the Moore Haven Canal cuts across the marshes, providing a dredged passageway for boaters from the Caloosahatchee River towards Lakeport.
Fog blanket over the marshesAt the base of the levee on the left is a melaleuca forest, a monoculture that supports no native Florida life.
Melaleuca were largely eradicated by the Army Corps of Engineers around the lake over the past twenty years, but this stand is on private land.
Distant line of melelucaAt 1.4 miles, a perpendicular canal defines the edge of a sugar cane field to the west.
On the lake side is the broad grassy prairie dotted with cabbage palms, with a lone cypress along the hidden Rim Canal. The distant line of palms outlines the Moore Haven canal.
Cypress and moonvine along the Rim CanalPrior to construction, a bench overlooked both the cane fields and the prairie. As winds riffle the sugar cane fields, the tall grass lets off a constant shuddering hiss.
Turn and look towards Moore Haven to see the arc of the Caloosahatchee River bridge and the water tower in the far distance.
Looking southbound before the dike was pavedThe sweep of prairie across the lake basin is edged by the Rim Canal, which is hidden behind tall grasses. A glint of sunlight may reveal Moonshine Bay on the far horizon.
Another canal extends westward into sugar cane fields at 2.4 miles. Cane is burned before harvesting, so you might see the spectacle we did of flames dancing across the fields.
Sugar cane field on fireAn unfortunate addition to the landscape since dike reconstruction started is a massive landfill on the Moore Haven side. Pass it and its noisy transfer station at 3.3 miles.
Fortunately the winds tend to come off the lake, not towards it. But it’s still an unpleasant sight along a National Scenic Trail.
A plowed sugar cane fieldThe dike curves as it approaches SR 78. A guardrail above the C-5A canal offers a rest stop at 4.5 miles.
The C-5A campsite sits just past it off trail at the junction of the canal and the Rim Canal, with a picnic shelter.
C-5A campsiteFrom this long straight stretch of dike, the open water ribbon of the Rim Canal is now more obvious since the vegetation is much shorter.
Hidden amid sugar cane fields, a shooting range is on the far side of SR 78 before the marshes of Nicodemus Slough come into view.
Sugar cane on north side of SR 78Reach the C5 water structure at 6.8 miles, controlling water flow where Nicodemus Slough once freely emptied into the lake.
On the opposite side of SR 78, the slough was the site of archaeological finds in the late 1800s. When we first started hiking here, a Glades County Park provided access to its shore.
C5 water structure north of a gateLater on, Nicodemus Slough was traded by the state to Lykes Brothers – the largest landowner in Glades County – for access to the Fort Center archaeological site.
At 7.2 miles reach a gate to keep vehicles off the trail. The dike ends, the paved path dropping to road level adjacent to SR 78.
Descending into the floodplainThis is the start of the Fisheating Creek floodplain. Pass an old road to the right before crossing the first bridge over Fisheating Creek.
Just past the bridge is the old Fisherman’s Village parking area at 7.5 miles. A boat ramp allows access for anglers into the creek to reach Lake Okeechobee.
SR 78 bridge over Fisheating Creek from parking areaFor the next mile and a half, vegetation is tall and dense on the right, with one abandoned road leading into the thicket.
On the far side of SR 78 are open prairies along the Fisheating Creek floodplain, spectacular in early fall when the swamp sunflowers in bloom.
Sunflowers fill the basin in OctoberReach Banana Grove Road at 9.1 miles. It’s a crossroads to two parks. To the right and largely undeveloped, Vance Whidden Park occupies historic Curry Island.
On the opposite side of SR 78 is Fort Center, an intriguing destination with a loop hike interpreting the ancient village discovered here along Fisheating Creek.
Observation tower at Fort CenterThe vegetation on both sides of the road-and-trail corridor thins the closer you get to the second arm of Fisheating Creek.
Cross it using the highway bridge at 9.9 miles. Birds tend to congregate in the trees and one the power lines in this vicinity.
Fisheating Creek at sunriseAt sunrise or sunset, expect a raucous clamor from the birds, some taking off in great flocks to browse out on the lake shallows.
The hike ends at the parking area for the Fisheating Creek boat ramp at 10.3 miles. The paved path continues past it to ascend the dike for the next section northbound.
Southbound / Northbound
Florida Trail, Moore Haven to Clewiston 11.8 miles. On a southbound hike between Moore Haven and Clewiston, arrive at sunrise for the best light show on Lake Okeechobee.
Florida Trail, Lakeport to Indian Prairie 11.9 miles. In the sweep of the Herbert Hoover Dike past Lakeport, the Florida Trail overlooks the vast western marshes of Lake Okeechobee.Suggested Articles
Sunrise and Fog on Lake Okeechobee Sunrise unfolded ever-so-slowly through the fog-shrouded marshes at Moore Haven, making for the perfect start of Thanksgiving Day during the 2007 Big O Hike.
Braising Cane As I hike the Florida Trail past Moore Haven, a sugar cane field bursts out in flame after my discussion with my friend Steve, a sign from above that he's along for the walk.Explore More!
Learn more about the Okeechobee section of the Florida Trail
Florida Trail, Okeechobee Looping around one of America's largest lakes, the 112-mile Okeechobee section of the Florida Trail provides panoramic views from atop the Herbert Hoover Dike.Slideshow
See our photos from this hike
Nearby Adventures
More worth exploring nearby
Harney Pond Canal Recreation Area Discover uniquely wild panoramas along Lake Okeechobee with a walk on this paved trail in Lakeport
Fort Center Explore Fort Center, a pre-Colombian village lost in Florida’s past – and uncovered again by archaeologists – by following this trail in Fisheating Creek WMA. 
Gatorama Started in 1957 as a roadside attraction to show tourists one of the two Florida experiences they wanted - alligators! - Gatorama still has that funky Old Florida feel.
Knobby Knee Trail Accessible walkways wind across a floodplain of stately cypress trees to an overlook along scenic Fisheating Creek, with footpaths leading even further along the waterway.
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