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Kissimmee River

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

Florida Trail, Kissimmee  |  Okeechobee
( 27.152666, -80.867591 )      0.5 miles

Encompassing the eastern shore of the Kissimmee River just north of the SR 78 bridge, Scott Driver Recreation Area is primarily a busy launch point for boaters and paddlers.

But as we discovered by roaming around it, there is more to this recreation area than it appears from when you drive past it along SR 78 to cross the Kissimmee River bridge.

Waterfront at Scott Driver Recreation Area
Hidden waterfront at Scott Driver Recreation Area

Resources

South Florida: An Explorer's Guide

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: Okeechobee
Address: 10101 SR 78 West, Okeechobee
Fees: none
Restroom: near the boat ramp
Land manager: Okeechobee County
Phone: 863-763-6950

Open 24 hours. No camping permitted. Leashed dogs welcome.


Directions

 
From the intersection of US 441 and SR 78 in Okeechobee, drive 4.3 miles west along SR 78. The turn-in is on the right immediately after you go up and over a levee which the Florida Trail is atop as it crosses the highway.

Details

In addition to its popularity for boating, Scott Driver Recreation Area is an excellent spot for birding once we discovered where to roam.

There are two hot spots for birders: one along the northbound Florida Trail, and one along the Kissimmee River.

limpkins along the Kissimmee River
Watching limpkins along the Kissimmee River

Hiking the Florida Trail

Park in the main parking area near the restrooms. From here, you can access the Florida Trail up on the levee that you crossed on SR 78.

The Florida Trail goes northbound from this point along the levee up the Kissimmee River basin towards Platts Bluff, another county park a full day’s hike away.

Florida Trail north of Okee-tantie
Hiking north from Scott Driver Recreation Area on the Florida Trail

Around where the trail meets a gate across the levee, about a quarter mile north, wading birds constantly congregate in a small marsh on the east side of the trail.

On all the visits we’ve made here, the birds are always there. We’ve spotted great egret, ibis, snowy egret, cattle egret, little blue herons, and wood storks.

Scott Driver birding spot
Birds always congregate at this spot north along the Florida Trail

Southbound, you must cross SR 78 to reach the paved path that arcs 3.8 miles to Okeechobee Recreation Area in Okeechobee, recently renamed Cliff J. Betts Recreation Area. The Florida Trail follows this path as it continues southeast around the lake to Clewiston.

While it isn’t as obvious, the Florida Trail also continues west across the Kissimmee River bridge – which is not a comfortable crossing since there is no pedestrian separation from traffic – to connect to the southwest side of Lake Okeechobee.

Kissimmee River
To reach Buckhead Ridge and Indian Prairie, hikers must walk on the highway 78 bridge to cross the Kissimmee River on the Florida Trail

In all, the Florida Trail loops Lake Okeechobee for more than 112 miles. This is the top of that loop. Scott Driver Recreation Area is the primary access point for that loop as the trail leaves it to go north up along the Kissimmee River.


Hiking

To walk more than a half-mile loop around Scott Driver Recreation Area, follow the boat basin canal leading out to the Kissimmee River.

Two gaps in the chain link fence at the river end of the park enable hikers to ramble out beneath ancient cypress to the riverfront.

Scott Driver Recreation Area cypresses
Cypresses and oaks define the riverfront at Scott Driver Recreation Area

Where the boat basin canal meets the river, you’ll see the greatest bird activity. We spotted limpkins, wood storks, and ibis along the waterfront.

Kissimmee River
Confluence with the Kissimmee River

A large pavilion in this waterfront area is used for special events, so sometimes the gate is open to drive back into this area. If it is not, you can still loop around and exit through the gap in the fence to the main parking area.

Scott Driver Recreation Area
Look for the gaps in the chain link fence to finish the loop

Boating and Paddling

Boaters and paddlers have 24 hour access to the boat basin and an ample parking area in which to store their trailers while headed up the Kissimmee River.

North of this point by water, Paradise Run and the S-65E Impoundment are excellent destinations for paddling and fishing. Since airboats are not allowed in this old river channel, it is one of the best destinations for paddling in the region.

Scott Driver Recreation Area boat basin
The boat basin at Scott Driver Recreation Area

South of Scott Driver Recreation Area, the Kissimmee River flows under the SR 78 bridge, past Okee-Tantie Recreation Area, and empties out into Lake Okeechobee adjoining Buckhead Ridge.


Explore More!

Nearby Adventures

More worth exploring while you’re in this area.

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

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

Florida Trail Okee-Tantie

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

Taylor Creek

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.


Official Website

Category: Backpacking, County Parks, Day Hikes, Hikes, Parks, South Florida, TrailsTag: Birding, FT Kissimmee, FT Okeechobee, Kissimmee River, Okeechobee

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Florida Trail Updates


Get periodic recaps of changes to the Florida Trail, which we accumulate between editions of our guidebook. Find all official Trail Closures & Notices here.

Hiking the Florida Trail

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