One of the shorter paved segments of the Florida Trail, the stretch between Okeechobee and Okee-tantie is also one of its most popular destinations.
It’s partly due to the very easy access from both ends, with Clif Betts Jr. Lakeside Recreation Area in Okeechobee a big draw for anglers and for folks wanting to take in the panorama of the lake.
Betts Recreation Area and pierBut one of the best reasons to walk this arc of trail is for the birds. Over the past two decades, we’ve watched sandhill cranes, great blue herons, and crested caracara performing mating dances along the levee slopes.
We’ve watched bald eagles soar overhead, and limpkins pluck snail shells from the adjoining marshlands. Herons, ibis, and wood storks are frequent visitors too.
Three benches along the route make it an easy one for hikers of all ages and abilities. And since it is paved, you can bicycle it too.
This segment of trail sees a lot of local bike trafficOur Florida Trail Books & Guides
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Overview
Location: Okeechobee
Length: 3.8 miles
Trailhead: 27.196624, -80.830707
Fees: Free
Restroom: At recreation areas
Land Manager: Army Corps of Engineers
Phone: 863-983-8101
Leashed dogs welcome. Just like all other segments of the Florida Trail around Lake Okeechobee, there is no shade except at covered benches. 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 is at 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 northern trailhead for this hike is a picnic shelter adjoining SR 78 on the south side of the highway, atop the levee. There is only space for a couple of cars to park next to it. Do not park on the paved trail.
If that space is full, use Scott Driver Recreation Area, 4.3 miles west along SR 78 from the intersection of US 441 and SR 78 in Okeechobee. The turn-in to the park is on the right just after you cross the trail atop the levee where it crosses SR 78.
Hike
Starting out from the parking area at Cliff J. Betts Recreation Area, follow the trail behind the restrooms to the top of the levee to reach the Florida Trail.
Turn left. You’ll cross the entrance road soon after. The paved trail stretches in a gentle curve to the left.
While the park itself has extensive parking and picnic spots at the base of the levee along the lake, your view is above that, framed with cabbage palms.
Sunrise over Lake Okeechobee along this hikePast the first covered bench that adjoins the trail, Eagle Bay stretches to the east. It’s an expansive marsh where a tour company takes people on airboat rides.
It is also a great place to watch for wildlife along its edges. Don’t be surprised to see otters and even nutria (coypu), a large non-native South American rodent related to the capybara.
Eagle Bay adjoins the trail for a significant stretchOnce the paralleling parking on the lakeshore ends, the birding on the lake side improves immensely, especially after the next covered bench at 1.3 miles.
It’s here we’ve seen the most abundance of wildlife and birds on both sides of the levee, coming and going from the lake to the Eagle Bay marshes and back again.
Sandhill cranes performing a mating dancePast the third bench, the marshes end and a tight cluster of campgrounds and mobile homes is on the opposite side of the canal at the bottom of the levee.
After 3.6 miles, you reach a gate across the trail as the levee starts to curve away from the lake. The picnic shelter adjoining SR 78 is another quarter mile past it.
Gate with FNST symbol as seen from Okee-Tantie sideIf you could not park at the picnic shelter, you’ll need to cross SR 78 to get to Scott Driver Recreation Area. Be cautious of high speed traffic coming up and over the levee from both directions.
On a map, Taylor Creek is the physically northernmost point on the lakeshore, but for purposes of the Florida Trail, this road crossing is the northernmost point along the Okeechobee section.
It’s here that hikers have three different directions in which they can go. To follow the Florida Trail northbound along the Kissimmee River, cross SR 78.
Florida Trail, Kissimmee Following the Kissimmee River for 112 miles, this is a scenic section of the Florida Trail with levees, woods, river views, open prairies, and cattle ranches.To follow the Florida Trail southbound towards Big Cypress, head back to the starting point of this hike in Okeechobee to proceed south along the east side of the lake.
Or, a roadwalk west along SR 78 to cross the Kissimmee River on the highway bridge leads to the Florida Trail headed south along the west side of the lake towards Indian Prairie.
Southwest / North / Southeast
Florida Trail, Indian Prairie to Okee-Tantie 10.4 miles. Along the vast marshes that buffer Buckhead Ridge, the sweep of the Florida Trail past Indian Prairie leads up to the mouth of the Kissimmee River.
Florida Trail, Okee-tantie to Platts Bluff 14.9 miles. Panoramic views across cattle ranches and the channelized Kissimmee River are the highlights of this connector from Lake Okeechobee to natural lands north of Okeechobee.
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.Suggested Articles
Section Hiking the Florida Trail Section hiking the Florida National Scenic Trail provides some logistical challenges, but a sense of satisfaction in being able to complete an 1,100-mile walk across Florida at your own pace.
Thru Hike the Florida Trail A thru-hike in Florida takes sixty to ninety days across a surprising diversity of landscapes not found on other long distance trails in the United States.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.Recreation Areas
Recreation areas at the two ends of this hike
Clif J. Betts Jr. Lakeside Recreation Area Also known as Lake Okeechobee Lakeside Recreation Area, this waterfront park in Okeechobee offers expansive views of the big lake from its shoreline and pier.
Scott Driver Recreation Area Providing access to the Kissimmee River, C. Scott Driver Recreation Area is also an important trailhead for the Florida Trail along Lake Okeechobee.Slideshow
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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