• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Florida Hikes logo

Hike Bike Paddle Camp Florida with authors Sandra Friend and John Keatley as your guides

  • Trails
  • Maps
  • Guidebooks
  • Search
  • Hike
    • Scenic Hikes
    • Loop Trails
    • Dog-friendly Hikes
    • Hikes for Kids
    • National Parks in Florida
    • Florida State Parks
  • Bike
    • Major Bike Trails
    • Paved Bike Trails
    • Off Road Biking
    • Biking Articles
  • Paddle
    • Canoe & Kayak Rentals
    • Paddling Destinations
    • Paddling Articles
  • Camp
    • Cabin Rentals
    • Car Camping
    • Primitive Camping
  • Florida Trail
    • Plan your Hike
    • Best Scenic Hikes
    • Best Backpacking
    • Section Hiking
    • Thru-Hiking
    • Trail Updates
  • Travel
  • Hike
    • Scenic Hikes
    • Loop Trails
    • Dog-friendly Hikes
    • Hikes for Kids
    • National Parks in Florida
    • Florida State Parks
  • Bike
    • Major Bike Trails
    • Paved Bike Trails
    • Off Road Biking
    • Biking Articles
  • Paddle
    • Canoe & Kayak Rentals
    • Paddling Destinations
    • Paddling Articles
  • Camp
    • Cabin Rentals
    • Car Camping
    • Primitive Camping
  • Florida Trail
    • Plan your Hike
    • Best Scenic Hikes
    • Best Backpacking
    • Section Hiking
    • Thru-Hiking
    • Trail Updates
  • Travel
Water control structure and path along Lake Okeechobee

Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail

An overlay on the Florida Trail around Lake Okeechobee, the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail provides a mostly paved cycling and walking route around the second largest lake entirely within the borders of the United States.

Lake Okeechobee      ( 27.196651, -80.830645 )      109 miles

458 shares

First hiked in the 1960s and developed as a loop in the Florida National Scenic Trail in the 1980s, the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail offers spectacular views.

Mainly atop the 35-foot-tall Herbert Hoover Dike built for flood control between the 1930s and 1960s, it offers unmatched perspectives on the lake for photographers and birders.


Resources

Resources for exploring the area

Florida Trail Hikes book cover The Florida Trail Guide book cover Florida Trail small coffee table book South Florida Explorers Guide book cover

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


Overview

Location: South Florida
Length: 109 miles
Fees: Free, with established campsites along the route
Restrooms: at community parks along the route

Bicycles and leashed pets welcome. Equestrians allowed between Port Mayaca and Nubbin Slough. Overnight camping permitted.

No hunting is permitted on the levee, but you will hear gunshots and see duck hunters in their boats in the near marshes during the fall waterfowl season.

Because of severe water quality issues in the Okeechobee basin, we strongly suggest avoiding all surface water sources. Use potable water sources only.

In addition, algal blooms can now cause respiratory issues in susceptible individuals. Before your visit, check the Army Corps of Engineers website regards posted warnings.


Directions

 
Please click on specific destinations above for directions to trailheads along this lengthy loop.

About the Trail

On the east side of the lake, views are primarily of islands and vast open waters. The west side of the lake is shallow and marshy.

Sunrises (best viewed from the western shore) and sunsets (from the northeastern shore) are especially gorgeous across the marshes and open waters.

The route was popularized for nearly 30 years by the Loxahatchee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association and their annual Big O Hike, which has been suspended until construction around the dike is complete.

With most of the route atop the dike paved, the 109-mile loop is a destination for century riders.

Specific segments we suggest for hiking and biking. All segments are covered in our Florida Trail app (FarOut Guides) as well as The Florida Trail Guide.

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

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.

FT Lakeport

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 Okeechobee

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


Parks along Lake Okeechobee

While there are many trailheads and recreation areas along the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail, these parks provide some of the best access points and views along the lake.

Harney Pond Canal Recreation Area

Harney Pond Canal Recreation Area

Discover uniquely wild panoramas along Lake Okeechobee with a walk on this paved trail in Lakeport

Okeechobee Pier

Cliff J. Betts Recreation Area

Also known as Lake Okeechobee Recreation Area, this waterfront park in Okeechobee offers expansive views of Lake Okeechobee from its shoreline and pier

Okee-tantie Recreation Area

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


Critical Gaps

Watching the evolution of this trail for more than two decades, we are aware of specific gaps that do not appear to be a priority for land managers to address, despite plans in place to do so.

We figure this is due to dike reconstruction, a necessary evil for flood control. The earthen dike started leaking soon after the ravaging hurricanes of the late 2000s.

Specific gaps that were planned to be bridged but have not happened yet include Taylor Creek and Harney Pond Canal.

More serious gaps are at important navigational points, the locks at Port Mayaca, Moore Haven, and the open water of the Kissimmee River.

In all three of these locations, hikers and cyclists must leave the dike and utilize highway bridges to cross the waterways. Only the Caloosahatchee River bridge offers a pedestrian walkway separate from traffic.

Finally, a fumble at Taylor Creek over land use documents resulted in a private landowner blocking public access to the public right-of-way.

This forces all recreational users out to busy US 441 between Nubbin Slough and Taylor Creek for a distance of more than two miles.

Water control structure and path along Lake Okeechobee
Approaching Nubbin Slough northbound on the Florida Trail

Related articles

Dike reconstruction at Rardin Park

Around Okeechobee

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

Summiting Lake Okeechobee’s High Point

January 22, 2014//  by Sandra Friend


Explore More!

Slideshow

See our photos from the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail


Nearby Adventures

More worth exploring close to Lake Okeechobee

Fort Center

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.

Fisheating Creek

Fisheating Creek

For an immersion into the soul of ancient Florida, plan a paddle down Fisheating Creek.

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.

Path through tall grass between pines

DuPuis WMA

Explore nearly 22,000 acres of public land near Lake Okeechobee on extensive networks of trails for hikers, cyclists, and equestrians.

Rafael Sanchez Trail

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.

Kissimmee Prairie Preserve

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

Trail Map (PDF) Algae Warnings Official Website

Category: Backpacking, Biking, Day Hikes, Equestrian, Hikes, Loop Hikes, Major Bike Trails, Off Road Biking, Paved Bike Trails, South Florida, Trails, Water Management AreasTag: Alligators, Best Bike Rides, Best Birding, Birding, Clewiston, Florida Trail, Florida Trail Biking, Lakeport, Moore Haven, Okeechobee, Opt Outside, Pahokee, Port Mayaca, Primitive Camping, Scenic Hikes, South Bay, Wildlife Viewing

Reader Interactions

Have an update? Contact us.

Primary Sidebar

SOUTH FLORIDA

SOUTH FLORIDA OVERVIEW.
Big Cypress Swamp. Everglades National Park. Florida Trail

Arcadia. Basinger. Big Cypress National Preserve. Big Cypress Seminole Reservation. Clewiston. Everglades City. Fisheating Creek. Lake Okeechobee. Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail. Lake Placid. LaBelle. Lakeport. Moore Haven. Okeechobee. Pahokee. Port Mayaca. Sebring. South Bay

Our Newest Books

The Florida Trail Guide

The Florida Trail GuideOur definitive guidebook to planning backpacking trips on the Florida National Scenic Trail, now in its fourth edition. Full data charts and maps. B&W, 356 pages. $19.95 + tax & shipping.

Order Now


Florida Trail Hikes

Florida Trail Hikes 2nd edition coverFifty of the best day hikes, overnights, and weekend trips on the Florida Trail. Full hike descriptions and maps, full color. 376 pages. $24.95 + tax & shipping.

Order Now


Discovering the Florida Trail

Florida Trail mini coffee table book cover of trail into palm hammock
A visual journey the length of the Florida Trail, covering more than 1,500 miles from the Everglades to Pensacola Beach. Hardcover, 196 pages. $24.95 + tax & shipping.

Order Now
 


50 Hikes in Central Florida 3rd edition
Five Star Trails Orlando guidebook
Explorer's Guide North Florida & The Panhandle guidebook

Florida Trail Apps

Farout GuidesFarout Guides Comprehensive logistics and offline maps for the
Florida National Scenic Trail (1,500 miles), the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail (108 miles), and the ECT Florida Connector (92 miles).

Explore More

Our recent park & trail updates in this region

Well worn path through a wet pine flatwoods landscape

DuPuis Loop Trail

DuPuis Loop Trail
Bridge edged by alligator flag

Okaloacoochee Slough Tram Loop

Okaloacoochee Slough Tram Loop
Cypress dome in fog

Okaloacoochee Slough State Forest

Okaloacoochee Slough State Forest
Collier Seminole Hiking Trail

Collier-Seminole Hiking Trail

Collier-Seminole Hiking Trail

Footer

FIND A TRAIL OR PARK

NORTHWEST FLORIDA
Apalachicola. Apalachicola National Forest. Blackwater River State Forest. Blountstown. Bonifay. Bristol. Cape San Blas. Carrabelle. Chattahoochee. Chipley. Crawfordville. Crestview. DeFuniak Springs. Destin. Ebro. Eglin Air Force Base. Fort Walton Beach. Freeport. Gulf Islands National Seashore. Madison. Marianna. Milton. Monticello. Mossy Head. Navarre Beach . Niceville. Panama City Beach. Pensacola. Ponce De Leon. Port St. Joe. Quincy. Sopchoppy. South Walton. St. Marks. St. Marks NWR. Tallahassee. Vernon. Wakulla. Wewahitchka

NORTH FLORIDA
Alachua. Amelia Island. Baldwin. Branford. Bunnell. Cedar Key. Chiefland. Crescent City. Dowling Park. Ellaville. Fernandina Beach. Flagler Beach. Gainesville. Green Cove Springs. High Springs. Jacksonville. Keystone Heights. Lake Butler.Lake City. Live Oak. Mayo. Macclenny. Micanopy. Olustee. Orange Park. Osceola National Forest. Palatka. Palatka-Lake Butler Trail. Palm Coast. Perry. Salt Springs. St. Augustine. Starke. Steinhatchee. Suwannee River Wilderness Trail. Suwannee Springs. Talbot Islands. Timucuan Preserve. Trenton. Welaka. White Springs. Williston

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Vimeo

MULTI-REGION
Big Cypress Swamp. East Coast Greenway. Everglades National Park. Florida National Scenic Trail

CENTRAL FLORIDA
Apopka. Belleview. Brandon. Brooksville. Bushnell. Canaveral National Seashore. Christmas. Chuluota. Clearwater Beach. Clermont. Coast to Coast Trail. Cocoa Beach. Cross Florida Greenway. Crystal River. Dade City. Daytona Beach. De Leon Springs. DeBary. Deland. Deltona. Dunedin. Dunnellon. Frostproof. Geneva. Inverness. Kenansville. Kissimmee. Lake Mary. Lake Wales. Lakeland. Largo. Leesburg. Longwood. Melbourne. Melbourne Beach. Merritt Island. Merritt Island NWR. Mims. Mount Dora. New Port Richey. New Smyrna Beach. Ocala. Ocala National Forest. Ocklawaha. Orlando. Ormond Beach. Osteen. Oviedo. Palm Bay. Ridge Manor. Sanford. Silver Springs. Spring Hill. St. Cloud. St. Petersburg. Tampa. Tarpon Springs. Titusville . Walt Disney World. Weeki Wachee. Winter Springs. Withlacoochee State Forest. Withlacoochee State Trail. Yeehaw Junction

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
Bradenton . Charlotte Harbor. Ding Darling NWR. Englewood. Estero. Fort Myers. Immokalee. Naples. Pine Island. Port Charlotte. Punta Gorda. Sanibel Island. Sarasota. Venice

SOUTH FLORIDA
Arcadia. Basinger. Big Cypress National Preserve. Big Cypress Seminole Reservation. Clewiston. Everglades City. Fisheating Creek. Lake Okeechobee. Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail. Lake Placid. LaBelle. Lakeport. Moore Haven. Okeechobee. Pahokee. Port Mayaca. Sebring. South Bay

SOUTHEAST FLORIDA
Big Pine Key. Biscayne Bay. Biscayne National Park. Boca Raton. Boynton Beach. Coral Gables. Davie. Delray Beach. Northeast Everglades Natural Area. Florida Keys. Fort Lauderdale. Fort Pierce. Hobe Sound. Hollywood. Homestead. Islamorada. Jensen Beach. Jupiter. Juno Beach. Key Biscayne. Key Largo. Key West. Marathon. Miami. Ocean to Lake Greenway. Overseas Heritage Trail. Palm Beach. Port St. Lucie. Redland. Sebastian. Stuart. Vero Beach. West Palm Beach

  • Trails
  • Parks
  • Beaches
  • Gardens
  • Springs
  • Ecotours
  • Attractions
©2006-2022, Sandra Friend & John Keatley | Disclosure | Site Index | Work with Us | Advertise with Us
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy | Florida Hikes PO Box 93 Mims FL 32754| Contact