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

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Harney Pond Canal Boardwalk

Lakeport

Outdoor recreation in Lakeport on the western shoreline of Lake Okeechobee

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.

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, 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, Okeechobee

Florida Trail, Okeechobee

Florida National Scenic Trail  |  Clewiston, Lakeport, Moore Haven, Okeechobee, Pahokee, South Bay
( 26.696335, -80.807243 )      112.8 miles

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, South Florida

Big Cypress Swamp

Heading north through Big Cypress, the Florida Trail immerses hikers through one of the last wild spaces of the region, then connects to Okeechobee via dikes.

Fort Center

Fort Center

Fisheating Creek WMA  |  Lakeport
( 26.950668, -81.135548 )      5.0 miles

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.

Harney Pond Canal Recreation Area

Harney Pond Canal Recreation Area

Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail  |  Lakeport
( 26.986658, -81.066144 )      1.5 miles

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

Lake Okeechobee

FT Henry Creek to Okeechobee

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

Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail

Sunrise and fog at Moore Haven

Lake Okeechobee      ( 27.196651, -80.830645 )      109 miles

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.

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

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