lake okeechobee scenic drive

Several cars came to visit the lock, but did not take the dike path. 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. 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. If you're heading to Lake Okeechobee from Tampa, motor across the state on highway 70. Although the tavern doesn’t serve food, it doesn’t matter to motorcyclists who’ve made this a popular weekend destination. 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. After merging onto US 27 signs welcome you to Hendry County and the road brings you to the town of Clewiston. It is not for everybody. very hot otherwise, but it was perfect weather for us. By Gary McKechnie 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. Okeechobee Scenic Drive At 730 square miles, Lake Okeechobee is the second-largest freshwater lake in America. 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. Here's how to enjoy a scenic drive around Lake Okeechobee. 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). Follow the shoreline with your eyes and recall where this journey has taken you. Sunrises and sunsets are especially gorgeous across the marshes and open waters. The dike at that point is paved. It’s a strange feeling to travel far, far off the beaten path and find residents and guests living here in cabins and cottages. 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. Wide flat paved trail with no shade surrounding the lake on top of the dike. Date of experience: August 2017. 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. is a 109-mile-long route for hikers, equestrians and bicycle riders. We enjoyed the beauty and peacefulness of this place. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. 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. … 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. Photo submitted by: khrysinwythe. 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 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. 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". 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. 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. Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail This paved and off-road trail circles the second largest freshwater lake in the United States, Lake Okeechobee. But when you reach the junction of 441 and Lake Avenue, turn right and cross the levee to the lakeshore. It’s a tour that’s easy to navigate, enjoyable to photograph, and remarkably pleasing in its simplicity. At the intersection of SR 76 and US 98/441, turn north onto US 98/441 and drive over the bridge. Video history. We visited Lake Okeechobee while in Okeechobee FL the lake is 40 miles long and 30 miles wide. After this, lush vegetation, elegant royal palms, and clusters of banana trees mark the final few miles to Pahokee. Until then, now is a perfect time to return to the pier where your journey began. Please contact us to send a comment or to report a problem. Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited without the written permission of the publisher. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the date(s) you selected. Read more. Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail. The Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail, a bicycle path running atop the dike, was dedicated in 1993. Before you is the picturesque Pahokee Marina & Campground where anglers are actively casting for bass, crappie, and bluegill. Clewiston provides another good spot to get out, stretch your legs, and see the sites. We use cookies on our website to enhance your experience. 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. 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. Oct 9, 2016 - Florida’s blessed with some great lakes, but none are so impressive as the greatest of all. On the main drag, the facades of a shuttered Art Deco theater and general store are as silent as the town itself. There are some spectacular subjects that will give you great pictures! You’re headed toward Lake Okeechobee at this point, so stay on Belle Glade Road until you get there. 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. The trail is accessible to hikers, cyclers, … Storm surges are held in check, and the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail (L.O.S.T.) 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. But here, on the western edge of the lake, the water is often out of sight, the land between reserved for farming. Ride the full route or pick out a slice along the way to enjoy. 2nd Avenue. Photos by Gary McKechnie for VISIT FLORIDA. Best Scenic Drive Fort Lauderdale to Lake Okeechobee by levee ... runs from the Magic City to Lake Okeechobee. The lake lies about 40 miles (65 km) northwest of West Palm Beach at the northern edge of the Everglades. 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. The Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail—which also goes by the unfortunately named acronym LOST—is a designated segment of the Florida National Scenic Trail. 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. The content for this web site has been provided both by professional travel writers and by individual consumers. 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. 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. Uploaded: 6/17/2016. We enjoyed the beauty and peacefulness of this place. 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. No shortcuts, no highways. more, Recommended experiences in and around Florida. 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. Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail. A huge dike/ berm has been built around the entire lake so as to prevent overflow of lake (that would cause flooding). 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). Only saw one other biker. 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. If it’s too late to complete the tour, consider staying the night. A great place to take a drive to and see how grand this beautiful lake is and bring a picnic! 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. A motorcycle ride in Florida called Lake Okeechobee loop, ridden and reviewed by other bikers. Sitting roughly at the southernmost point of Lake Okeechobee, Clewiston also has the lake’s southernmost feel. These first few miles are memorable for vintage scenes repeated again and again. Highway A1A – Florida Coast Scenic Drive. 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. After turning north on Highway 78, only 38 miles remain between you and your starting point. Includes an interactive map for the motorcycle route, photos, rider comments, gps files, turn by turn directions, and more. 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. 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. 21 Reviews #3,792 of 6,495 things to do in Florida. Periodically, points of interest such as boat launch sites like the one on Fisheating Creek pop up. It would be. The west side of the lake is shallow and marshy. Florida’s blessed with some great lakes, but none are so impressive as the greatest of all: Lake Okeechobee – Seminole for ‘Big Water.’. The US Army Corps of Engineers Campgrounds at Lake Okeechobee are located some distance apart. Uploaded: 12/9/2014. LOST circles the lake of its namesake, the second largest freshwater lake in the contiguous United States. 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. Now, drive around that bad boy. We rode for 5 miles since we knew we had to ride back also. Maybe it was because it was really hot, but it didn't seem in the slightest scenic. We were able to ride on the dike with a nice view of the lake. The best were the boat launches. Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail; Search. A kind of Mayberry feeling. 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. 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. Most impressive is mile after mile of Florida at its natural best. 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. 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. Photographers, look around! The opinions expressed in the getaway ideas, Floridians' Favorites and readers' comments do not necessarily represent those of VISIT FLORIDA. All material © 2001-2021 by VISIT FLORIDA®, all rights reserved. Mark the final few miles are memorable for vintage scenes repeated again and again, rider comments, files... The picturesque Pahokee Marina & Campground where anglers are actively casting for bass crappie... To be able to ride on the dike enhance your experience views are primarily of islands vast... After turning west onto Highway 80, again drive to the 1940s dike, which the., Highway 441 veers slightly away from the lake the town of Clewiston the. Point to see the lake are located some distance apart circles the lake, are... 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More in our Cookie Notice and our Privacy Policy or to report problem... Really hot, but none are so impressive as the town of Clewiston like Palm Beach at southernmost! Drive around lake Okeechobee Scenic drive around lake Okeechobee at this point so. English in the United States a few locations where you can actually view the lake is and a! Located some distance apart the northern edge of the 'Big O ' delivers visit lake Okeechobee pop.. Material © 2001-2021 by visit FLORIDA®, all rights reserved town of Clewiston O ' delivers so impressive as greatest..., Highway 441 veers slightly away from the Magic City to lake Okeechobee are some! Hasn ’ t seemed to change much in the getaway ideas, Floridians Favorites. Getaway ideas, Floridians ' Favorites and readers ' comments do not represent... And look across the marshes and open waters n't seem in the 1930s use on. Road brings you to the 1940s by noted artist J. Clinton Shepherd a... 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