Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail

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

South Florida Explorers Guide book cover

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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

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, 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, 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 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

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

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

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.