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.
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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.
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.
With most of the route atop the dike paved, the 109-mile loop is a destination for century riders.
All segments are covered in our Florida Trail app (FarOut Guides) as well as The Florida Trail Guide.
These are specific segments we suggest for hiking and biking.
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.
Critical Gaps
Watching the evolution of this trail for more than two decades, it’s been a joy to see pedestrian bridges added at Chosen, John Stretch Park, and Harney Pond Canal.
According to the master plan unveiled in the early 2000s, Taylor Creek is eventually supposed to have a pedestrian bridge, too.
Serious gaps are at important navigational points: the locks at Port Mayaca and 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 in Moore Haven offers a pedestrian walkway separate from traffic.
Unfortunately, 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.
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Slideshow
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