You are here > Home > Trails > South FL-East > Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail
Reported: Dec. 2016

Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail... South Florida

110-Mile Bike Trail Circles Lake on Herbert Hoover Dike

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. The trail is used for biking, hiking, fishing, and bird watching. There are 14 campgrounds on or adjacent to the trail. The surface consists of both paved and gravel portions. The trail is not always continuous, with short diversions onto roadways to go around locks. (Map link and photos below.)

Trail Map
see Resources below

Location: Glades, Hendry, Martin, Okeechobee, and Palm Beach Counties
Mileage: 110 miles paved and gravel; onto the road around locks
Nearby Cities: Belle Glade, Clewiston, Okeechobee, Pahokee, Moore Haven
Nearby points of interest: Okeechobee Battlefield Historic State Park

 Page Summary:

1. Biking on Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail
   - Trail at Port Mayaka - east side
   - Trail at Moore Haven - west side
   - Trail at Lakeport - west side
   - Trail at Okeechobee - north side
2. More Information and Resources

Biking on Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail... Comments and Photos

Important Note: At this writing, large sections of the trail are closed due to an ongoing construction and rehab project on the dike. For a map of trail closures, see the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website (see "Resources" at bottom of page) or call 863-983-8101 for the latest information.

While there are numerous access points with parking, there are few convenience stores along the trail, and you can go long distances before finding a restroom, so be prepared. Bring water and sunscreen, there is no shade - better as a cool weather ride - and it can get windy on the dike. Watch the weather and get off the dike to avoid lightning strikes. Views from the dike can include broad vistas and excellent sunrises and sunsets, but again it is wide open, so much depends on the weather. The best biking lake views are on the north and east sides, while the west side is mostly marshland. Many waterfowl are seen, plus sugar fields, wetlands, and surrounding agricultural communities. In sum, long distances with often unchanging views. We've read some complains about sand spurs, but off-road and safer for area recreational biking.

Trail at Port Mayaka - east side

Access point, parking only. Trail is paved as this point, lake view. Access also to Port Mayaka Lock and Dam complex. As at other locks, the trail ends and goes roadside, resuming on the other side of the lock.

Trail at Moore Haven - west side

Alvin Ward Park has parking, restrooms, picnic shelters, boat ramp, fishing pier. Not a lake view but rather marsh at this location. Access also to Moore Haven Lock and Dam; trail goes roadside past the lock.

Trail at Lakeport - west side

On the west side of Lake Okeechobee from just north of Moore Haven to Lakeport, the trail runs along SR 78. Approaching Lakeport it branches off again, just after a roadside boat launch. Marsh views here - the boat ramp goes out to a bay, not on the lake at this point.

Trail at Okeechobee - north side

Lake Okeechobee Park is at the northern tip of Lake Okeechobee in the City of Okeechobee. A nice facility with parking, restrooms, fishing pier, and picnicking. The trail - paved in this section - runs on the dike overlooking the park and lake. There is now a bike ramp for easy trail access.

More Information and Resources

Nearby Biking:

Southeast FL Region - More trails plus Regional Overview map

Related Resources:

US Army Corps of Engineers - Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail