An overlay on the route of the Florida Trail around Lake Okeechobee (Okeechobee East and Okeechobee West), 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.
Resources
Overview
Location: Okeechobee, Glades, Hendry, Palm Beach, and Martin Counties
Length: 109 miles
Fees / Permits: free, with designated campsites along the route
Difficulty: easy to moderate
Bug factor: low to high, depending on time of day and breezes
Restrooms: at community parks along the route
Location
Details
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 from the top of the 35-foot-tall Herbert Hoover Dike, built for flood control between the 1930s and 1960s. Sunrises and sunsets are especially gorgeous across the marshes and open waters. 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.
The route has been popularized for more than 20 years by the Loxahatchee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association and their annual Big O Hike around Lake Okeechobee, as well as by more recent century rides around the lake by bicycle clubs.
Managed by the Army Corps of Engineers – which is actively reconstructing portions of the dike – the route is presently more than half closed to recreational users due to construction projects. See current closure details on their website.
Explore the trail
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, 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
Harney Pond Canal Recreation Area - Discover uniquely wild panoramas along Lake Okeechobee with a walk on this paved trail in Lakeport
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
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