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Florida Trail, Okeechobee

Florida Trail, Okeechobee

112.8 miles. Looping around one of America’s largest lakes, the Okeechobee section of the Florida Trail provides panoramic views from atop the Herbert Hoover Dike.

Florida National Scenic Trail  |  Clewiston, Lakeport, Moore Haven, Okeechobee, Pahokee, South Bay
( 26.696335, -80.807243 )      112.8 miles

Florida Trail, Okeechobee

112.8 miles.    Clewiston, Okeechobee, Sebring & West Palm Beach

Walking atop a 35-foot-tall dike built to hem in the waters of the second largest lake entirely within the United States, you cultivate a sense of perspective.

To one side, the lake – or its marshy rim – shimmers off into the distance. To the other, Big Agriculture, in the form of vast sugar cane fields and cattle ranches.

Little remains of the natural, except in small pockets, like the pond apple thicket in Pelican Bay near Rardin Park.

Lake Okeechobee at Nubbin Slough
Marshes along Lake Okeechobee at Nubbin Slough

Or the rocky former shoreline of the lake, topped with ancient cypresses and tropical trees, on the ridge along US 441 in Port Mayaca.

Or the rugged tangle of vegetation in the Fisheating Creek floodplain, along the very marshy western side of the lake.

Most of the dike around Lake Okeechobee is now paved, a project that started in 2003 ago to facilitate ease of use for cyclists.

The asphalt surface is tough on feet, especially if you’re carrying a pack.

For a thru-hiker or section hiker, the western side of Lake Okeechobee is optimal if you prefer a quieter, more scenic walk with more frequent places to camp.

The section between Harney Pond Canal and the Kissimmee River remains blissfully pavement-free, and is one of the most remote portions of the trail.

We recommend it for an out-and-back backpacking trip from Harney Pond Canal north to Indian Prairie or Buckhead Ridge campsites, depending on your stamina and time.

The eastern side has access to more small communities and less campsites but more campgrounds. It’s less than a half mile difference to choose either side of the lake.


<< Seminole Kissimmee >> Ocean to Lake >>


Resources

Florida Trail Hikes book cover The Florida Trail Guide book cover South Florida Explorers Guide book cover Florida Trail history book
An overview of the Okeechobee section, including a trail map, are in our full-color guidebook Florida Trail Hikes. It includes step-by-step details for two of our favorite hikes along this section.

Disclosure: As authors and affiliates, we receive earnings when you buy these through our links. This helps us provide public information on this website.

 
Guthook GuidesGuthook Guides GPS-driven map-based guide to the Florida National Scenic Trail with thousands of waypoints from The Florida Trail Guide. Works offline. For iPhone and Android.


Trip Planning

CONSTRUCTION ZONES

For more than a decade, the Army Corps of Engineers has had an army of contractors working on different parts of the dike simultaneously to shore it up.

As a result, you cannot hike a full unbroken loop around the lake without doing roadwalks around the closures, which are generally fenced off and sometimes have guards posted.

See the Army Corps of Engineers Lake Okeechobee map for current closures.

CAMPING AND LODGING

Designated campsites along the trail provide a covered picnic table, a couple of trees where you can string a hammock, and flat spots for camping.

You won’t find them between South Bay and Port Mayaca, where hikers are instead expected to use municipal campgrounds at South Bay, Torrey Island, and Pahokee.

Ample lodging – with a full spectrum of quality and rates – is available in Clewiston and Okeechobee.

There are two fish camps with cottages and camping, and several small motels in smaller lakeside communities.

Random camping is permitted, but avoid doing so near towns.

Never camp on top of the levee. Trucks drive down it at all hours. Camp at the base of the levee instead.

DOGS

Dogs are welcome along this section of the trail. However, it is mostly paved and in the sun. Fire ant nests cluster close to the edges of the pavement.

Keep your dog away from the lake and canals, where there are alligators.

WILDLIFE

Alligators are common in the canals and all throughout the lake. Some are quite huge.

WATER

Water in all canals along this route has agricultural runoff and pesticides in it. The lake itself is suffering from extreme levels of toxic algae and bacteria from agricultural dumping.

Wherever possible, make use of potable water sources and non-potable tap water at the locks.

If you do need to filter water, don’t do so at dawn or dusk, when you might be mistaken for a deer by a prowling alligator.

Avoid filtering water near culverts, since alligators often den inside them.

HUNTING SEASON

Hunting is limited to duck hunting in the marshes so it doesn’t directly affect trail access. Check the FWC website for hunting season dates.

RESUPPLY

Clewiston and Okeechobee are the most fruitful town stops for getting things done, since they have a broad variety of services and accommodations, including large grocery stores and a Walmart in each town.

Minor resupply is also a short walk from the trail in Moore Haven, Pahokee, and Lakeport.

PARKING & SHUTTLE

It’s generally smart to leave a car behind the gates of a campground or other business than at a trailhead when backpacking around the lake. Call ahead to arrange.

If you need assistance with a shuttle, join the Florida Trail Hikers Facebook group and ask for assistance.

There are a number of volunteers in the area who can help. Be sure to compensate them for their gas and time.

For hikers wanting to reach the Florida Trail by train, Amtrak has an unattended station near downtown Okeechobee.

SAFETY

All around the lake, you may encounter people using the trail for daily exercise and for access for fishing.

At the southern end of the lake, the trail passes through several economically depressed agricultural communities.

If you get into an uncomfortable situation, move on and/or call law enforcement.

Trail Map

Florida Trail Okeechobee Ocean to Lake section maps

Guthook GuidesGuthook Guides GPS-based maps and logistics for hiking the Florida Trail. Available for iPhone and Android.


Mileages

Important landmarks starting with mile 0 at John Stretch Park, for the east and west sides of the loop. At the north end of the lake, Scott Driver Park is the closest parking area for the south end of the Kissimmee section of the Florida Trail.

EAST
0.0 – John Stretch Park
5.3 – South Bay Recreation Area
10.9 – Paul Rardin Park, Pahokee
17.1 – Pahokee Recreation Area
20.6 – Canal Point Recreation Area
26.9 – NENA Trailhead
30.1 – Port Mayaca Recreation Area
37.8 – Chauncey Bay trailhead
47.7 – Nubbin Slough trailhead
52.7 – Lakefront Park, Okeechobee
56.5 – Scott Driver Park, Okee-tantie

WEST
0.0 – John Stretch Park
8.5 – Army Corps of Engineers, Clewiston
9.7 – Levee Park, Clewiston
15.0 – Uncle Joe’s Fish Camp, Moore Haven
21.5 – Alvin Ward Park, Moore Haven
33.5 – Fisheating Creek, Lakeport
37.8 – Van de Velde Park, Lakeport
45.4 – Indian Prairie Canal
55.8 – Scott Driver Park, Okee-tantie


Trail Segments

We have not yet written up all of the segments of the Florida Trail along Lake Okeechobee for our website, although details about all segments can be found in our guidebook and app.

Each of the segments below are described from the perspective of a day hiker, noting landmarks, water, and campsites along the way. Not all are aligned in a S > N perspective, but this is the order they are around the loop, from the south to the northwest and back southeast.

Lake Okeechobee at John Stretch Park

Florida Trail, Clewiston to South Bay

13.8 miles. One of the most accessible segments of the Big O provides some of the best views of Lake Okeechobee from the dike

Florida Trail, Moore Haven to Clewiston

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.

Lake Okeechobee at Nubbin Slough

Florida Trail, Henry Creek to Okeechobee

8.6 miles. Along the north shoreline of Lake Okeechobee, this paved segment of the Florida Trail is one of its prettiest, offering sweeping views of the lake.

Florida Trail, Port Mayaca to Henry Creek

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, Pahokee

Florida Trail, Pahokee to Port Mayaca

11.7 miles. An ocean-like expanse, Lake Okeechobee is open water to the horizon along the long arc between Pahokee and Port Mayaca

Florida Trail Connections

These sections of the Florida Trail connect to the Okeechobee section.

Florida Trail Kissimmee

Florida Trail, Kissimmee

111.3 miles. Following the Kissimmee River floodplain, this is a scenic section of the Florida Trail with a mix of levees, shady woods, river views, open prairies, and cattle ranches.

Ocean to Lake Hiking Trail

Ocean to Lake Hiking Trail

61 miles. A spur of the Florida Trail that leads from Port Mayaca on the east side of Lake Okeechobee to Hobe Sound Beach on the Atlantic Ocean, treating hikers to unexpected wild landscapes north of West Palm Beach.

Florida Trail along a canal south of Clewiston

Florida Trail, Seminole

56.2 miles. Stretching from the Big Cypress Seminole Reservation to Lake Okeechobee, the Florida Trail Seminole section traverses a vast agricultural region, the former Everglades. Hiking is on roads and levees.


Recent Articles

Construction zone along Lake Okeechobee

East or West around Lake Okeechobee?

January 8, 2020//  by Sandra Friend & John Keatley

Making the decision to walk the Florida Trail east or west around Lake Okeechobee used to be easy. Now, with construction zones blocking access to much of the southern half of the lake, it isn’t. Here are the facts on each route’s strengths and weaknesses to help you decide the best route for you.

Dike reconstruction at Rardin Park

Around Okeechobee

January 8, 2020//  by Sandra Friend & John Keatley

Our 2020 update of the state of the Florida Trail around Lake Okeechobee. Thru-hikers should continue to use Okeechobee West as their route around the lake. We provide full details on why.

Okeechobee Wind

November 26, 2015//  by Sandra Friend

Atop the Herbert Hoover Dike, looming nearly forty feet above Lake Okeechobee, you expect wind – headwinds and tailwinds – as you hike the Florida Trail. A shallow basin of 730 square miles, the lake plays with the weather.

Summiting Lake Okeechobee’s High Point

January 22, 2014//  by Sandra Friend

In completing an end-to-end hike of the Florida Trail, I knew I’d need to fill a gap or two left behind at the Big O Hike. Despite having walked around Lake Okeechobee several times, I was missing a few miles. During the Big O Hike, the hike begins and ends at trailheads, and in all …

Learn about the Big O Hike around Lake Okeechobee.

All Articles & Hikes Interactive Map

Category: Backpacking, Day Hikes, Florida Trail, Hikes, Loop Hikes, South Florida, TrailsTag: Clewiston, Dog-friendly, Fisheating Creek, Florida Trail, Florida Trail Biking, Lake Okeechobee, Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail, Lakeport, Locations, Moore Haven, Okeechobee, Pahokee, South Bay

Have an update? Contact us.

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Our Florida Trail Books

The Florida Trail Guide

The Florida Trail GuideThe comprehensive mile-by-mile guidebook to planning section and thru-hikes along the entire length of the Florida Trail. 356 pages, $19.95 + tax and shipping.

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Florida Trail Hikes

Florida Trail HikesFifty of the best day hikes, overnights, and weekend trips on the Florida Trail, plus nine of the best section hikes. Full hike descriptions and maps, full color. 376 pages. $24.95 + tax and shipping.

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Discovering the Florida Trail

Florida Trail mini coffee table book cover of trail into palm hammock
Our virtual walk along the length of the Florida Trail, covering more than 1,500 miles from the Everglades to Pensacola Beach. Hardcover, 196 pages. $24.95 + tax and shipping.

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The Florida Trail

Florida Trail large coffee table book cover of trail down swamp causeway under ancient pines

Our history of the first 50 years of the Florida Trail, from its founding in 1966 to becoming a National Scenic Trail to volunteer efforts today.

Learn More

The Florida Trail App

Comprehensive logistics and offline maps all in one: The Florida Trail Guide is now also an interactive map-based mile-by-mile app by Guthook Guides.

Get the App!

Florida Trail Updates


Get periodic recaps of changes to the Florida Trail, which we accumulate between editions of our guidebook. Find all official Trail Closures & Notices here.

Hiking the Florida Trail

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Florida Trail by Section

Porter Lake, Apalachicola National Forest

Florida Trail, Apalachicola

Florida Trail, Apalachicola
Florida Trail Big Bend view

Florida Trail, Big Bend

Florida Trail, Big Bend
Florida Trail Big Cypress

Florida Trail, Big Cypress

Florida Trail, Big Cypress

Florida Trail, Blackwater

Florida Trail, Blackwater
Florida Trail Nokuse

Florida Trail, Central Panhandle

Florida Trail, Central Panhandle
Eglin Weaver Creek

Florida Trail, Eglin

Florida Trail, Eglin
Florida Trail Kissimmee

Florida Trail, Kissimmee

Florida Trail, Kissimmee
Florida Trail at Rice Creek

Florida Trail, Northeast Florida

Florida Trail, Northeast Florida
Juniper Prairie Wilderness

Florida Trail, Ocala

Florida Trail, Ocala
Ocean to Lake Hiking Trail

Ocean to Lake Hiking Trail

Ocean to Lake Hiking Trail
Florida Trail, Okeechobee

Florida Trail, Okeechobee

Florida Trail, Okeechobee
Florida Trail at Forever Florida

Florida Trail, Orlando

Florida Trail, Orlando
Florida Trail Seashore Dunes

Florida Trail, Seashore

Florida Trail, Seashore
Florida Trail along a canal south of Clewiston

Florida Trail, Seminole

Florida Trail, Seminole
No Name Creek

Florida Trail, Suwannee

Florida Trail, Suwannee
Cypress Lakes Preserve

Florida Trail, Western Corridor

Florida Trail, Western Corridor

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