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Latest update: November 2025

Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail... South Florida

111-Mile Bike Trail Circles Lake on Herbert Hoover Dike

Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail ("LOST") circles Lake Okeechobee (the second largest freshwater lake in the U.S.) on top of the 35-foot high Herbert Hoover Dike, built for flood control in the 1930's. The trail is popular for biking, hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing, and bird watching. About 75% is paved, with the remainder on gravel. A canal runs continuously alongside the dike, access points to the trail require crossing the canal. LOST also forms a loop on the Florida National Scenic Trail.

Trail Map link...
Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail

Location: Glades, Hendry, Martin, Okeechobee, and Palm Beach Counties
Mileage: 111 miles paved and gravel; onto the road around locks
Nearby Cities: Okeechobee, Pahokee, Belle Glade, Clewiston, Moore Haven
Nearby points of interest: Okeechobee Battlefield Historic State Park

Bike Shops/Rentals: N/A

 Page Summary:

1. Key Things to Know When Riding LOST
2. 4 Trail Sections
   - Northeast: Okeechobee to Port Mayaca (27 mi.)
   - Southeast: Port Mayaca to South Bay (25 mi.)
   - Southwest: South Bay to Moore Haven (28 mi,)
   - Northwest: Moore Haven to Okeechobee (31 mi.)
3. About Lake Okeechobee and the Herbert Hoover Dam
4. More Information and Resources

Key Things to Know When Riding LOST

• The surface consists of both paved and gravel portions. The gravel sections are better for mountain bikes or hiking.
• The trail is not always continuous, with short diversions onto roadways to go around locks.
• While there are numerous access points with parking (mostly at boat ramps), only a few have restrooms - you can go long distances before finding a restroom.
• Food or convenience stores are accessible from some access points.
• Bring water and sunscreen, there is no shade - better as a cool weather ride.
• It can get very windy on the dike. Watch the weather and get off the dike to avoid lightning strikes.
• There are 14 camping areas on or adjacent to the trail - four fee campgrounds provide toilets and showers, primitive campsites have no facilities.

In sum, long distances with often unchanging views. Recreational bikers such as ourselves who like to stop often for photos and enjoy the surroundings may find much of the trail repetitive and monotonous, preferring to drive to various points for scenic views and rides, while long-distance bikers enjoy the long straightaways.

4 Trail Sections

We describe the trail in four sections, starting from Okeechobee at the north, proceeding along the east side of the lake and then looping back to Okeechobee on the west side, visiting portions of the trail at access points along the way. We suggest the best sections for easy recreational rides.

Views from the dike can include broad vistas and excellent sunrises and sunsets, but it is wide open so much depends on the weather. We found the best biking lake views on the north and east sides, while the west side is mostly marshland. Many waterfowl and other wildlife may be seen, plus sugar fields, wetlands, and surrounding agricultural communities.

• Note: There's no formal starting point, the mileage markers (MP #) along the trail indicate distance east and west from South Bay, used by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for logistical and maintenance purposes. If staying in the area and not into camping (like us) we suggest as base the cities of Clewiston or Okeechobee, with the most accommodations and services available.

Follow the link in each summary below for a full-page report with trailheads and access points, photos, and suggestions on the best trail sections to ride.

Northeast Side - 27 miles - Kissimmee River to Port Mayaca (north)

This section of LOST runs from the Kissimmee River at Okeechobee to the north side of the lock at 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.
• Trail access is blocked at Taylor Creek, the trail is along the road to Nubbin Slough access, about 2.5 miles. At Port Mayaca, the trail detours onto the road around the lock.
• Trailheads with restrooms are at the Okee-Tantie Recreation Area and Cliff J. Betts Recreation Area at Okeechobee..
• We recommend the 7-mile section from the Kissimmee River to Taylor Creek for casual recreational bikers looking for a scenic ride with diverse views and access to parking, restrooms, and other amenities.

View details, photos

Southeast Side - 25 miles - Port Mayaca (south) to South Bay

This section of LOST starts from the south side of the lock at Port Mayaca and runs south to the South Bay Access.

• The trail is unpaved from Port Mayaca to Pahokee, then becomes paved continuing to South Bay.
• The trail runs lakeside with good lake views, and across the canal mostly sugar cane or cattle.
• Trailheads with restrooms are at Pahokee, Paul Rardin Park and South Bay.
• We recommend the 8 miles from Pahokee to Paul Rardin Park for casual recreational bikers.

View details, photos

Southwest Side - 28 miles - South Bay to Moore Haven

This section of LOST extends from the South Bay access to Alvin Moore Park east of the lock at Moore Haven.

• The trail here is paved.
• From South Bay to Clewiston the trail parallels US 27, with the lake to the north and mostly sugar cane fields to the south (except at the towns). Past Clewiston the trail leaves the lakeside, with marsh views.
• The trail detours onto the roadway around the locks at Clewiston and Moore Haven
• Trailheads with restrooms are at South Bay, John Stretch Park, Clewiston, Uncle Joe's Fish Camp/Liberty Point, and Moore Haven.
• We recommend the 14 miles from Clewiston to Moore Haven for recreational bikers.

View details, photos

Northwest Side - 31 miles - Moore Haven to Okeechobee

This section runs from the west side of the lock at Moore Haven back to Okeechobee at the Kissimmee River.

• The trail is paved from Moore Haven to Harney Pond Canal Recreation Area, and then unpaved to the Kissimmee River. This section is not lakeside but through marshlands.
• Restrooms are available at the Harney Pond Canal Recreation Area.

View details, photos

About Lake Okeechobee and the Herbert Hoover Dam

• Lake Okeechobee is the second largest freshwater lake wholly contained within the 48 contiguous United States (Lake Michigan is larger), covering 730 square miles with a relatively shallow average depth of 9 feet. The name is from the Seminole words “oki” and “chubi” meaning "big water.” Originally, water from the lake flowed naturally into The Everglades but as the area developed was diverted into canals. In recent years, environmental concerns have increased including algae blooms on the lake and polluted waters released to the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee Estuaries. It's a complicated issue, involving protecting the integrity of the dike, feeding The Everglades, and protecting the fragile coastal estuaries, with farming interests also on the table. Learn more about the Lake Okeechobee Watershed Restoration Project

• The Herbert Hoover Dike completely surrounds Lake Okeechobee, built in the 1930s after the destruction and loss of life from hurricanes in the late 1920's, and expanded after more storms and flooding in the late 1940's. In the 1990's and early 2000's, wear and erosion issues were identified and an ongoing, 18-year rehabilitation program was completed in 2023. The 35-foot tall dike was built and is maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Learn more about the Herbert Hoover Dike

More Information and Resources

Nearby Biking:

Southeast FL Region - More trails plus Regional Overview map

Nearby Paddling:

Fisheating Creek

Related Resources:

US Army Corps of Engineers - Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail