Trail Snapshot
Trails: Up to 110 miles long, mixed double track surfaces with approximately a little over half paved and half gravel.
Difficulty: Easy/Novice - traveling the full 110 miles requires an intermediate level of fitness and "bike butt"
Outdoor Travels Rating: 3 bikes out of 5 Lake views and a long ride are a plus, while headwinds, infrequent facilities and lack of tree cover detract.
Nuts and Bolts
(see the individual section reviews for in depth information)
Also know as the LOST Trail or L.O.S.T. Trail
Facilities: Potable water and port-a-potties are spaced infrequently around the trail, while most towns offer food, water and lodging. Campsite are spaced no more than 10 mile apart. Shaded rest stops with benches are also spaced out along the route. See the map for more details
Activities: Biking, skating, running, walking, canoeing, bird watching, dog walking, equestrian, fishing
Admission: No admission
Location of trail heads: The trail can be accessed almost anywhere a road intersects, although 2 official trailheads with parking can be found at Nubbin Slough and Kissimmee River See the map for more details
Counties: Okeechobee, Martin, Palm Beach, Hendry, Glades
Nearby Cities: Belle Glade, Clewiston, Okeechobee, Pahokee, Moore Haven
Directions: The options for reaching Lake Okeechobee are numerous and depend upon the location you are coming from and the trail access point where you want to start. If you require directions, contact the Corps South Florida Operations Office.
Contact Information: US Army Corps of Engineers
South Florida Operations Office: 525 Ridgelawn Road, Clewiston, FL 33440-5399 Phone: 863/983-8101
Maps and Stuff
Photos
Northern Trail
Road Biking and Off-Road Biking
Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail
Okeechobee, Florida
The LOST Trail - circumnavigating the second largest freshwater lake in the contiguous United States!
by Dana Farnsworth, Outdoor Travels
Overview
Designated as a segment of the Florida National Scenic Trail, this trail circles the second largest freshwater lake in the contiguous United States, which by no means makes for a short ride. Not a rails to trails project, this 110-mile circuit is located atop the Herbert Hoover Dike, which surrounds the lake for flood protection. The trail passes through or by extremely rural areas, agricultural communities such as Clewiston and Belle Glade and more developed areas like Okeechobee. Hikers and mountain bikers are able to access the trail from numerous locations.
The area affords opportunities for viewing wildlife, particularly in fall and winter, when birds such as herons, egrets, and a variety of wintering waterfowl are abundant. Alligators, turtles and armadillos are also abundant. The vast majority of trail has no shade. Winds off the lake can help in the summer, but unobstructed by trees, these very same winds can be a tailwind blessing, or an excruciating headwind curse.
The trail route requires users to exit the levee at certain locations around the inlets of Taylor Creek, St. Lucie Canal, Miami Canal, Industrial Canal, Caloosahatchee River, Indian Prairie Canal and the Kissimmee River. A large quantity of the trail has been paved and makes for smooth, fast and relatively undisturbed riding, while almost half of the overall distance (45 miles as of 01/05) remains packed gravel. This mismatch of trail surfaces makes choosing the right bike for a full circumnavigation difficult. A mountain bike with slick tires would work well - more comfortable and a bit slower than a road bike. A road bike with knobby tires could work well too – faster but not as comfortable as a shock sprung mountain bike. There is no clear-cut winner. With camping spots at least every ten miles and plenty of hotels and inns located in the larger towns, planning accommodation is easy.
Equestrians are also able to access the trail from various locations. Port Mayaca, Chancy Bay, Harney Pond, Moore Haven and Clewiston Park are among the options. Segments like Port Mayaca to Chancy Bay offer nice round-trip opportunities.
Section Reviews
A trail for any taste
See these sections for more in depth information & photos.
Northern Trail Section
26.5 paved miles. Plenty of fast riding if the wind doesn't stifle your headway.
Eastern Trail Section
St. Lucie Canal to Belle Glade
Not yet reviewed
Southern Trail Section
Belle Glade to Moore Haven
Not yet reviewed
Western Trail Section
Moore Haven to Buckhead Ridge
Not yet reviewed
