Resources
Resources for exploring the area
Disclosure: As authors and affiliates, we receive earnings when you buy these through our links. This helps us provide public information on this website.
Exploring Lake Okeechobee
As the second largest lake entirely within the United States, Lake Okeechobee is a very unique recreation destination.
You won’t find anyone paddling on the lake – it’s thick with alligators – but nationally-renowned Fisheating Creek is nearby.
What you will find are lots of folks fishing, but also bicycling around the lake, hiking, and birding.
In addition to a major segment of the Florida Trail – a segment known as the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail to cyclists – circling the lake, there are quite a few other hiking trails nearby.
Adventures on the water can be arranged in Okechobee and Clewiston with fishing guides and airboat operators who know the lake and its many coves well.
Trails and Parks around Lake Okeechobee
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, 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, 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, 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
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, 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, 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 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
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, 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
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. 
Harney Pond Canal Recreation Area Discover uniquely wild panoramas along Lake Okeechobee with a walk on this paved trail in Lakeport
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.
Okee-Tantie Recreation Area Where the Kissimmee River pours its waters into Lake Okeechobee, Okee-Tantie Recreation Area offers access to the river and a wild marshy stretch of lakeshore
Ortona Mounds While less than a mile long, the Ortona Mounds Trail in the ranchlands of Glades County takes you back to a time more than 3,000 years ago.
Rafael Sanchez Trail Snaking through an oh-so-slender slice of the rocky Okeechobee Ridge, the relict shoreline of Lake Okeechobee, the Rafael Sanchez Trail stays in deep shade for its 5.7 mile traverse of this skinny stretch of forest.Articles
East or West around Lake Okeechobee? (1/8/2020) 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.
Around Okeechobee (1/8/2020) 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.