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

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Lake Okeechobee pier

Lake Okeechobee

Covering 730 square miles, Lake Okeechobee is the liquid heart of South Florida

Aloft

Chauncey Bay Okeechobee

November 18, 2012    Sandra Friend

It isn’t rare for winds to streak across the surface of Lake Okeechobee, picking up speed as they travel. But some mornings are windier than others, and this was one of them.

Around Okeechobee

Dike reconstruction at Rardin Park

January 8, 2020    Sandra Friend & John Keatley

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.

Big O Hike

Lake Okeechobee at Nubbin Slough

Nine days, 109 miles: that’s the circuit around Lake Okeechobee to complete a walk around the second largest lake inside American borders on the Big O Hike.

Clewiston

Florida Trail, Moore Haven to Clewiston

Clewiston, the center of the sugar cane industry in South Florida, is perched along the rim of one of America’s largest lakes, Lake Okeechobee.

Cliff J. Betts Recreation Area

Okeechobee Pier

Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail  |  Okeechobee
( 27.196013, -80.830520 )      

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

East or West around Lake Okeechobee?

Construction zone along Lake Okeechobee

January 8, 2020    Sandra Friend & John Keatley

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.

Fisheating Creek

Fisheating Creek

Glades County      ( 26.937053, -81.316270 )      

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

Florida Trail, Clewiston to South Bay

Lake Okeechobee at John Stretch Park

Florida Trail, Okeechobee  |  Clewiston, South Bay
( 26.757715,-80.917641 )      13.8 miles

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

Lake Okeechobee at Nubbin Slough

Florida Trail, Okeechobee  |  Okeechobee
( 27.163076, -80.716079 )      8.6 miles

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

Florida Trail Kissimmee River

Florida Trail, Okeechobee  |  Okeechobee
( 27.061016,-80.972176 )      10.4 miles

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

FT Lakeport

Florida Trail, Okeechobee  |  Lakeport
( 26.968613,-81.118622 )      11.9 miles

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

Florida Trail, Moore Haven to Clewiston

Florida Trail, Okeechobee  |  Moore Haven, Clewiston
( 26.83847,-81.081465 )      11.8 miles

11.8 miles. On a southbound hike between Moore Haven and Clewiston, arrive at sunrise for the best light show on Lake Okeechobee.

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