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Reported: March 2025

Lakeside Ranch Stormwater Treatment Area... Eco-biking

Across From Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail, FL, and Where Alligators Sometimes Easier to Spot

The Lakeside Ranch Stormwater Treatment Area (STA) along the east side of Lake Okeechobee covers 2,700 acres on a manmade wetlands. Popular for biking, hiking, wildlife viewing, and bird watching, levees circle and crisscross the area, with about 15 miles of hardpack levees open for recreational use Fridays to Mondays, from sunrise to sunset. No fees. (Map link and photos below.)

Map link... Lakeside Ranch Stormwater Treatment Area

Location: Martin County (Okeechobee)
Trailheads/Access Points: US 441 (7250 SW Conners Hwy.) and SR 710 (31160 SW Warfield Blvd.)
Mileage: About 15 miles total
Surface: Hardpack, crushed gravel, shell, grass
Nearby points of interest: Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail (LOST)

Bike Shops/Rentals: N/A

 Page Summary:

1. Eco-biking at Lakeside Ranch STA
2. About the Stormwater Treatment Area
3. More Information and Resources

Eco-biking on the Lakeside Ranch STA... Comments and Photos

There are two entrances to the Lakeside Ranch Stormwater Area - on the southwest side off US 441, and on the northwest side off SR 710. The levees are hardpack with some rough areas, but mostly easy biking (best on wide tires). Popular with locals, on each of our visits, we saw other bikers. Restrooms are available at the south entrance, the north entrance is parking only. A couple of covered pavilions are located on the levees. There's no shade, so bring plenty of water and sunscreen.

• This is considered one of the richest wildlife-viewing wetlands in the region. Wildlife include alligators, otter, deer, and rabbits, and a large variety of birds. The Audubon Society offers programs here.

At the South Entrance

We visited from the south entrance, located on the east side of US 441/98, between the Nubbin Slough and Henry Creek access points to the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail. This is the main walk/bike entrance, with parking, restrooms, a pavilion and information kiosk. The northern entrance is parking only, but some sections are open to cars driving in during specified hours.

On the Levees

Levees criss-cross the STA, forming several large rectangles - pick your route. Some levees offer wide marsh views, with pumping equipment located at several points. There are no hills except for the ramp up to the levee from the south entrance. The main perimeter levees are fairly smooth, while the interior levees can be rougher and more narrow. A couple of small alligators were easy to spot on concrete spillways on the south side. One small deer, a turkey, sandhill cranes, but not as many waterbirds as we had hoped. A nice cool weather ride.

About the Stormwater Treatment Area

A Stormwater Treatment Area (STA) is a constructed wetland that uses water plants to remove excess nutrients and improve water quality. Formerly a cattle ranch, the Lakeside Ranch STA was developed primarily to filter excess farm phosphorus from draining directly into Lake Okeechobee and the northern Everglades. Restoration of the wetlands started in 2010.

More Information and Resources

Nearby Biking:

Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail
Southeast FL Region - More trails plus Regional Overview map

Related Resources:

South Florida Water Management District - Lakeside Ranch STA