But when you reach the junction of 441 and Lake Avenue, turn right and cross the levee to the lakeshore. We were able to ride on the dike with a nice view of the lake. The trail is accessible to hikers, cyclers, … There’s Flagler Park where a tank, helicopter, torpedo, and WWII-era 40mm gun are on display and, bordering the park, a long row of independent businesses: bookstores, boutiques, appliance shops, furniture stores, and restaurants. The west side of the lake is shallow and marshy. For travelers searching for a unique off-the-beaten-path excursion, a circle tour of the 'Big O' delivers. At 730 square miles, Lake Okeechobee is the seventh-largest freshwater lake in America. Just over the Palm Beach County border, the community of Canal Point is a speck of a place highlighted by an historical marker noting this was where Conner’s Toll Highway, a 52-mile road built atop what had been muck land, was completed in just eight months in 1924-25. Photo by:sigwaldo Wild Camping on the Dyke. Stand here on the north bank of the great Lake Okeechobee and look across the water. The two and a half hour drive might not be the shortest route, but it's scenic and will take you past the Placid Lakes. We visited Lake Okeechobee while in Okeechobee FL the lake is 40 miles long and 30 miles wide. A huge dike/ berm has been built around the entire lake so as to prevent overflow of lake (that would cause flooding). The Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail, a bicycle path running atop the dike, was dedicated in 1993. Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail, Florida: Address, Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail Reviews: 3.5/5 Ride the full route or pick out a slice along the way to enjoy. To the left, pastures fan out to the horizon; to the right, trailer and RV parks and 1950s-era ranch homes line the lakeshore. Overlooking the lake and neighboring South Bay Campground, from here you can look far to the north and try to spot the town of Okeechobee, the starting point of your journey. No shortcuts, no highways. There are covered benches every mile. Storm surges are held in check, and the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail (L.O.S.T.) In 1996, artist John Gutcher created a larger-than-life mural (roughly half a football field long) celebrating the heritage of Seminoles and settlers. A real-life reflection of the famed Highwaymen paintings, the western horizon is speckled with clusters of palm trees, egrets whisper across the wind, and cattle roam slowly across the plains. Before you is the picturesque Pahokee Marina & Campground where anglers are actively casting for bass, crappie, and bluegill. Sunrises and sunsets are especially gorgeous across the marshes and open waters. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Read more. After merging onto US 27 signs welcome you to Hendry County and the road brings you to the town of Clewiston. You’re headed toward Lake Okeechobee at this point, so stay on Belle Glade Road until you get there. Built atop the … LOST circles the lake of its namesake, the second largest freshwater lake in the contiguous United States. Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail, Florida: See 21 reviews, articles, and 26 photos of Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail, ranked No.3,792 on Tripadvisor among 6,488 attractions in Florida. The Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail (LOST) loops around the lake on a 10 meter (35’) high raised dike, called the Herbert Hoover Dike; that means 177 KM of scenic paved and gravel trails. A kind of Mayberry feeling. Lake Okeechobee, lake in southeastern Florida, U.S., and the third largest freshwater lake wholly within the country (after Lake Michigan and Iliamna Lake, Alaska). A small store caters to residents and the occasional traveler, and should you have an itch to go fishing, the lake is just steps away. From Stuart the quickest route is to drive west on SR 76 to Port Mayaca. Although the tavern doesn’t serve food, it doesn’t matter to motorcyclists who’ve made this a popular weekend destination. A great place to take a drive to and see how grand this beautiful lake is and bring a picnic! Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail This paved and off-road trail circles the second largest freshwater lake in the United States, Lake Okeechobee. On the drive south, Highway 441 veers slightly away from the lake. View our privacy policy. A motorcycle ride in Florida called Lake Okeechobee loop, ridden and reviewed by other bikers. Drive it with care -- sharp turns, deep canals, and an absence of guardrails pose a constant risk (an alternative: stick with Highway 27). more, Recommended experiences in and around Florida. A testament to the rural nature of the region, Clewiston is the only town on the southern shore that offers big box stores, supermarkets, and chain hotels and restaurants. The Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail—which also goes by the unfortunately named acronym LOST—is a designated segment of the Florida National Scenic Trail. We rode for 5 miles since we knew we had to ride back also. The US Army Corps of Engineers Campgrounds at Lake Okeechobee are located some distance apart. 21 Reviews #3,792 of 6,495 things to do in Florida. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, for an Old Florida lodging experience you can’t ask for anything more authentic – especially when you retreat to the inn’s Everglades Lounge. Uploaded: 6/17/2016. On any given day boaters are setting sail, fishermen are casting lines and nets, and fellow sightseers linger at a picturesque pier for a closer look at the water. It’s a strange feeling to travel far, far off the beaten path and find residents and guests living here in cabins and cottages. Only a few locations where you can actually view the lake. We enjoyed the beauty and peacefulness of this place. Most of thetrail consists of crushed gravel roadway. The section between Harney Pond Canal and the Kissimmee River remains blissfully pavement-free, and is one of the most remote portions of the trail. very hot otherwise, but it was perfect weather for us. That may stem from the slow pace of downtown, its genteel city park and, especially, the classic 57-room Clewiston Inn, whose antebellum look conveys a strong sense of the Old South. This ride from Okeechobee to Ocala is a backroad honey hole and includes portions of three designated Scenic Byways; The Ridge is at the start, The Green Mountain winds along Lake Apopka, and the Florida Black Bear takes you through the Ocala National Forest. The Lake Okeechobee scenic drive between Okeechobee and Pahokee is roughly 40 miles, and in that distance are myriad places to pull over and marvel at the scale of the lake. A lot of plant life in the water around the shores that extended pretty far out into the lake where we were At by the pier. Lake Okeechobee (US: / oʊ k i ˈ tʃ oʊ b i /), also known as Florida's Inland Sea, is the largest freshwater lake in the state of Florida. Florida National Scenic Trail Lake Okeechobee East Section: How to Get There: You can get to the Lake Okeechobee East section via several access points (Refer to the map). As they have since the 1950s, locals gather at Gladys’ Restaurant for home-cooked meals, shoppers find farm fresh fruits, vegetables, and fresh-squeezed orange juice at Ferrell’s Produce Market, and leading up to events at the Okeechobee Cattleman’s Association and Rodeo Arena, there’s always a rush at Eli’s Western Wear. VISIT FLORIDA® is the Official Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation. Maybe it was because it was really hot, but it didn't seem in the slightest scenic. Dam and lock for boats to pass was there. You’ll cross Taylor Creek (named for Seminole enemy/future president Zachary Taylor) before reaching the curiously named community of Up the Grove Beach. Date of experience: August 2017. Soak in the view and then begin your clockwise drive. Sorry! The junction of the self-proclaimed “Crossroads of South Florida” is found at highways 441 and 70, and a quick tour of the commercial district reveals something familiar and comforting about this town of 5,600. By continuing on our website, you consent to our use of cookies. The trail is used for biking, hiking, fishing, and bird watching. Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail ("LOST"), part of the Florida National Scenic Trail, circles Lake Okeechobee - the second largest freshwater lake in the U.S. - on top of the Herbert Hoover Dike, built for flood control in the 1930's. On the main drag, the facades of a shuttered Art Deco theater and general store are as silent as the town itself. Lake Okeechobee's Scenic Trail signs point toward the levee where, from the summit, you’ll often find massive gates that regulate water levels and, in some cases, locks ushering boats in and out of the lake. Florida’s blessed with some great lakes, but none are so impressive as the greatest of all: Lake Okeechobee – Seminole for ‘Big Water.’. Wide flat paved trail with no shade surrounding the lake on top of the dike. It is not for everybody. Sitting roughly at the southernmost point of Lake Okeechobee, Clewiston also has the lake’s southernmost feel. Follow the shoreline with your eyes and recall where this journey has taken you. Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail: Designated in 1993 as part of the Florida National Scenic Trail, the 110 mile Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail (LOST) is located on top of the Herbert Hoover Dike which circles Lake Okeechobee. On the east side of the lake, views are primarily of islands and vast open waters. For a thru-hiker or section hiker, the western side of Lake Okeechobee is optimal if you prefer a quieter, more scenic walk with more frequent places to camp. Here's how to enjoy a scenic drive around Lake Okeechobee. It was low 70's with a light breeze. Painted in the 1940s by noted artist J. Clinton Shepherd, a 360-degree mural of Florida wildlife wraps around the room. Growing up in South Florida, the radio jingle for … If you like Palm Beach County’s scenic drives, you will love Florida’s backroads. At each pullout you’ll cross the 109-mile paved recreational path encircling Lake Okeechobee that is enjoyed by hikers, joggers, and bicyclists alike. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Here's how to enjoy a scenic drive around Lake Okeechobee. Having just completed a literal “round trip,” here’s one way to approach the drive, starting in the pleasant town of…. After this, lush vegetation, elegant royal palms, and clusters of banana trees mark the final few miles to Pahokee. We use cookies on our website to enhance your experience. Made a few stops to get some pictures of the lake. Most impressive is mile after mile of Florida at its natural best. The trail began as the Okeechobee Segment of the Florida National Scenic Trail (FNST), a 1,000 mile trail that runs from Miami to Pensacola. After turning north on Highway 78, only 38 miles remain between you and your starting point. ... A great place to take a drive to and see how grand this beautiful lake is and bring a picnic! The trail began as the 'Okeechobee Segment of the Florida National Scenic Trail (FNST), and is part of a 1,000 mile trail between Miami and Pensacola. One reason to travel 720 is to get a glimpse of yet another Old Florida find: Uncle Joe’s Cabins. After turning west onto Highway 80, again drive to the top of the levee. Stick to the road on the east side of the canal and shoot north for the next 30 miles, enjoying sawgrass and sugar cane vistas, big clouds and multitudinous bird life. The best were the boat launches. Thirty-one miles from Okeechobee, J&S Fish Camp & Tavern rewinds the clock to the 1940s. Now on the final leg of the journey, cross the Kissimmee River and you are back to the land of lakefront RV and trailer parks. The eastern reach of the waterway starts in the St. Lucie River, passes through the St Lucie lock and dam, and enters Lake Okeechobee through a lock at Port Mayaca. As you reach the intersection of CR 78 & CR 15 you can turn North to the City of Okeechobee or continue on CR 15 around the Eastern Lake where the roads merge into CR 76 and US 441. Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail; Search. We entered at Port Mayaca. 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 from the top of the 35-foot-tall Herbert Hoover Dike, built for flood control between the 1930s and 1960s. Please contact us to send a comment or to report a problem. Now, drive around that bad boy. … The pier is a nice viewing point to see the lake and a few gators. Only saw one other biker. Is this a place or activity you would suggest for, Is this a must-do if you are traveling with a, Is this a romantic place or activity that you would suggest for, Are the prices for this place or activity, Is this a place or activity you would go to on a, Is this attraction a good place to visit on a, road our bikes every day when in north lake estates stayed all month rode every day and watched the fisherman going out to the lakes. Should you decide to stay over at the Good Sam campground, you’ll enjoy one of Florida’s most fantastic parcels of real estate: A narrow strip of land literally steps from the shores of Lake Okeechobee. Highway A1A – Florida Coast Scenic Drive. Photographers, look around! Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail, Florida: See 21 reviews, articles, and 26 photos of Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail, ranked No.3,992 on Tripadvisor among 6,390 attractions in Florida. If you're heading to Lake Okeechobee from Tampa, motor across the state on highway 70. Where Highway 441 comes to a T, an access road scales the levee and from the top you’ll enjoy your first all-encompassing view of The Big O. Murals reflecting Okeechobee’s history are found throughout town, and on your way south to the lake detour a few blocks to 610 S.W. In case you wanted to park your car and stop in for one of many Okeechobee's famous festivals, here's some information on when to get there and what to do. It would be. Originally built in 1926, the décor hasn’t seemed to change much in the years since. The dike at that point is paved. Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail. Drive south to Canal Point, Pahokee where you would swear you were in a lost city oas you merge onto CR 715 to SR 80 West to US 27 t head back south. Palm and banana trees are gradually replaced by fields of sugar cane and trailers stacked with harvested stalks. The trail is located atop the Herbert Hoover Dike, which surrounds the lake for flood protection, built in the 1930s. There’s little to see aside from the Paul Reardin Park (about 10 miles south of Pahokee) and, a few miles later, the town of Belle Glade (“Her Soil Is Her Fortune”) where the modern design of Palm Beach State College stands out in this rural region. Every Thanksgiving Week it’s the venue for “Hike the Big O,” a nine-day expedition that does on foot what you’re doing on wheels. Photos by Gary McKechnie for VISIT FLORIDA. is a 109-mile-long route for hikers, equestrians and bicycle riders. Photo submitted by: khrysinwythe. Please choose a different date. At the intersection of SR 76 and US 98/441, turn north onto US 98/441 and drive over the bridge. The Lake Okeechobee scenic drive between Okeechobee and Pahokee is roughly 40 miles, and in that distance are myriad places to pull over and marvel at the scale of the lake. Can't get down to the water at all. From Port Mayaca you cross 451,000 acre Lake Okeechobee by either a direct route to Clewiston, or a longer route along the south edge of the lake called the "rim route". All material © 2001-2021 by VISIT FLORIDA®, all rights reserved. Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail. Encircled by five counties (Okeechobee, Martin, Palm Beach, Hendry, and Glades), a protective levee, and bordered by quiet, two-lane roads, a Lake Okeechobee scenic drive day trip that begins and ends on the north shore takes you to seldom-seen communities and a glimpse of the era known as Old Florida. Peeling off from US 27 in Clewiston on the Lake Okeechobee scenic drive, look to the right for CR 720, a road that leads you back to the lake… and farther back in time. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the date(s) you selected. Okeechobee Scenic Drive At 730 square miles, Lake Okeechobee is the second-largest freshwater lake in America. The lake lies about 40 miles (65 km) northwest of West Palm Beach at the northern edge of the Everglades. Uploaded: 12/9/2014. But here, on the western edge of the lake, the water is often out of sight, the land between reserved for farming. Visit Lake Okeechobee Not much to do or see the lake. The … By Gary McKechnie It’s a tour that’s easy to navigate, enjoyable to photograph, and remarkably pleasing in its simplicity. On my bucket list to actually see Lake Ocheechobee and ride bike on dike, I was concerned about actually being able to ride bikes on dike with construction going on. Best Scenic Drive Fort Lauderdale to Lake Okeechobee by levee ... runs from the Magic City to Lake Okeechobee. Set on more than five waterfront acres are RV sites as well as vintage cabins constructed by members of the Army Corps of Engineers more than half a century ago. I Pitched a spot on the SE section of the dyke for one night in February 2014 as I rode the entire Perimeter, leaving Okeechobee and heading Southwest. Includes an interactive map for the motorcycle route, photos, rider comments, gps files, turn by turn directions, and more. We enjoyed the beauty and peacefulness of this place. Several cars came to visit the lock, but did not take the dike path. Oct 9, 2016 - Florida’s blessed with some great lakes, but none are so impressive as the greatest of all. There are some spectacular subjects that will give you great pictures! These first few miles are memorable for vintage scenes repeated again and again. Clewiston provides another good spot to get out, stretch your legs, and see the sites. Until then, now is a perfect time to return to the pier where your journey began. Everyone has to come from somewhere, and Pahokee happens to be that somewhere for more than a dozen current and former NFL players as well as country music legend Mel Tillis, who was raised here. But it was something we wanted to be able to say we had done. From here, 720 bobs and weaves west through the sugar cane fields and brings you to a gorgeous bridge that soars up and over the Caloosahatchee River and deposits you in Moore Haven, the Glades County seat. Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited without the written permission of the publisher. Video history. Periodically, points of interest such as boat launch sites like the one on Fisheating Creek pop up. Have to agree with others about all of the restoration but some locations offered great views. By the clubhouse, Pahokee Mo’s Bar & Grille is highlighted by a wall-to-wall floor-to-ceiling bay window that frames the most lake perfectly. On your right, restaurants and marinas re-appear along with one of the rare attractions, Eaglebay Airboat Rides, which can show you the lake from an entirely different perspective. The opinions expressed in the getaway ideas, Floridians' Favorites and readers' comments do not necessarily represent those of VISIT FLORIDA. The Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail (LOST) is a 109-mile multi-use path around Lake Okeechobee, the seventh largest lake in the United States and the largest in the state of Florida. Then there are charming small towns like Lakeport (home of February’s Sour Orange Festival) and trailer parks like the Aruba RV Resort and Tiki Grill. The content for this web site has been provided both by professional travel writers and by individual consumers. 2nd Avenue. Fast approaching the start/finish line, you re-enter Okeechobee County and arrive in the well-tended Buckhead Ridge, a community comprised of small homes perched on canals accessing the lake. 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