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Latest update: November 2025

Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail... Northeast Section

Okeechobee to Port Mayaca - 27 miles

This section of LOST runs from the Kissimmee River at Okeechobee to Port Mayaca. The trail here is paved, running mostly along the shore of Lake Okeechobee with good lake views. On the canal side, trailer parks and other development can be seen, along with agricultural fields. Trailheads with restrooms are at Okee-Tantie Recreation Area and Cliff J. Betts Recreation Area. (Map link and photos below.)

Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail, South Florida Biking

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Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail

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Page Summary:

Biking on LOST - Northeast - Okeechobee to Port Mayaca - 27 miles

Okeechobee to Taylor Creek
- Kissimmee River to Okeechobee Trailhead
- Okeechobee Trailhead to Taylor Creek
Nubbin Slough to Port Mayaca-north
- Nubbin Slough Access
- Henry Creek Access
- Chancey Bay Access
- Port Mayaca-north

Kissimmee River to Taylor Creek - 7 miles

For casual recreational bikers looking for a scenic paved ride with diverse views, we recommend this 7-mile section (14-miles round-trip). Trailheads with facilities are at the Kissimmee River, and in Okeechobee with many nearby amenities.

Kissimmee River to Okeechobee Trailhead (4 miles)

The trail crosses the Kissimmee River along the road shoulder, then continues along SR 78 for about 4/10 mile. Along the way, it passes the Okee-Tantie and C. Scott Driver Recreation Areas before turning off onto the dike.
On the dike are a covered pavilion with bench, information kiosk, and small dirt parking area. Back-up parking is at the recreation areas.
The Okee-Tantie Recreation Area is at the mouth of the Kissimmee River, with scenic lake views. It has parking, restrooms, picnicking, and a marina. Okee-Tantie is part of the Florida Birding Trail.
C. Scott Driver Recreation Area, along the Kissimmee River across SR 78, has parking, restrooms, and boat launch. It's popular for fishing and birdwatching.

Roadside at Kissimmee River

The trail crosses the Kissimmee River along the road shoulder. It continues along SR 78 for about 4/10 mile, past the Okee-Tantie and C. Scott Driver Recreation Areas, before turning off onto the dike.
On the dike are a covered pavilion with bench, information kiosk, and small dirt parking area. Back-up parking is at the recreation areas.

Crossing the river

Along SR 78

Back onto the dike

Okee-Tantie Recreation Area

The Okee-Tantie Recreation Area is at the mouth of the Kissimmee River, with scenic lake views. It has parking, restrooms, picnicking, and a marina. It's part of the Florida Birding Trail.
The name comes from the small historic settlement of Tantie, founded in 1896. As the area grew, it was eventually re-named to Okeechobee.

C. Scott Driver Recreation Area

C. Scott Driver Recreation Area, is across SR 78 from the trail. Located along the Kissimmee River, it's popular for fishing and birdwatching.
Parking, restrooms, and boat launch are available.
C. Scott Driver was a fishing guide and environmental activist who advocated for Lake Okeechobee clean-up.

On the Dike to Okeechobee Trailhead

The trail runs along the canal, paved, with lake and marsh views and covered benches for resting. This is a good area for birdwatching.
Mobile homes and RV parks are across the canal paralleling SR 78 for the first 1.5 miles, then the trail runs through marsh. Approaching the Okeechobee trailhead, it emerges lakeside with scenic lake views.

Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail, Northeast section

Onto the dike

Pavilion, parking

On the trail

Through the marsh

Approaching trailhead

To park entry

Okeechobee Trailhead
(27.19634, -80.83001)

The Cliff J. Betts Recreation Area is at the northern tip of Lake Okeechobee in the City of Okeechobee . This is a nice facility with parking, restrooms, fishing pier, and picnicking.
The trail runs on the dike overlooking the park and lake. The long accessibility ramp provides easy trail access for bikers.

Trail at Lake Okeechobee Park entry road

Ramp from trail to parking

Restrooms, parking, picnic

Fishing pier looking out to lake

Lake view

Birds and gators may be seen alongside the pier

Park from the fishing pier, trail runs on the dike in the background

Go down the entry road, across the canal, into Okeechobee with food, accommodations, shopping.

Okeechobee Trailhead to Taylor Creek (3 miles)

The trail to Taylor Creek is an easy ride with good lake views. On the canalside are businesses and mobile home parks.
Unfortunately property owners have blocked access to the trail around the lock. Proceed onto US 441/98 and cross the bridge. Ride along busy US 441/98 - being very careful - about 2.5 miles to Nubbin Slough Access (In the future, a pedestrian/ bike bridge is planned, hopefully sooner than later.)

Trail at the park

Park view

Lake view

Canal view

Benches

Approaching Taylor Creek

Off dike to road

To trail end

Trail end at lock - left to go down off dike

Nubbin Slough Access to Port Mayaca - 18 miles

From Taylor Creek, Nubbin Slough Access is reached riding along US 441/98. The trail on the dike here is paved with lake and marsh views, and businesses, homes and RV parks across the canal. Between Henry Creek and Chancey Bay Accesses, the trail runs further off the lake with marsh views. Past Chancey Bay access, across the canal is mostly sugar cane or cattle.

Nubbin Slough Access
(27.19428, -80.76359)

Entry is off US 441/98. Dirt parking, boat launch, primitive campsite. Two parking options: lakeside, across the trail (good lake views, but very sandy), or at the boat launch (off the road to the right). South, the trail crosses canal C-59 at a water control structure.

Access off US 441/98

Boat launch parking area

Primitive campsite

To the trail

Trail southbound

Trail northbound - Crossing canal C-5

Lakeside parking area

Henry Creek Access
(27.16315, -80.71597)

Access is off US 441/98. Dirt parking and a boat ramp (no other facilities) are located off the road. The trail is across the canal, over a bridge and up a ramp to the trail. At Henry Creek, the trail crosses the lock at the water control structure.

Approaching lock from north

Canalside

Lakeside

Down to parking and boat ramp

Canalside, fishing

Lakeside, birds

Canalside, alligator

Parking, boat ramp

Bridge over canal

To the dike

Chancey Bay Access
(27.0905, -80.6615)

Access is about 1/4 mile off US 441/98, across the canal. Grassy parking is at the boat ramp, then up the paved ramp connecting to the trail on the dike. About 1/4 mile south, the trail crosses the lock. A primitive campsite is located lakeside.

Parking, boat ramp

Up to the trail

Lake view, campsite

Canal view

To the lock

Welcome here is J&S Fish Camp, about 1/4 mile south along US 441/98 - lodging, food truck, and the Gator Hole Tavern.

Port Mayaca - North side
(26.98638, -80.61912)

Port Mayaca Recreation Area

On the north side, located at the Port Mayaca Recreation Area and Port Mayaca Lock and Dam complex, the trail is paved, with good lake views. This is at the junction with the St. Lucie Canal. Dirt parking, no facilities.

Trail at lock

To the lock

Port Mayaca Lock and Dam, bridge over US 98/441

Trail northbound

View of lake

Covered benches provided

Homes along canal

On the Road - North to South (2 miles)

From here a connector runs roadside along US 441/98, crossing the bridge over the St. Lucie Canal (wide shoulder, but no barrier). Across the bridge, continue on the road to reach the lock at the south.