Okeechobee

Scenes from the Florida Trail around Lake Okeechobee. The Florida Trail encircles this massive lake on a 110-mile route, connecting to the thru-trail at John Stretch Park near Lake Harbor and Okee-tantie, southwest of Okeechobee along the Kissimmee River. The Okeechobee section of the Florida Trail is home to the Big O Hike, a series of nine day hikes with group camping, held annually during Thanksgiving week. Although this section of trail has little to no shade, it offers the best panoramic views, sunrises, and sunsets you'll find along the Florida Trail, as well as designating camping areas and easy access to small towns around the lake. It's a popular destination for hiking during Christmas vacation.

Hikers at a rest stop along Lake Okeechobee
location: Okeechobee
PHOTO CREDIT: Robert Coveney / Florida Trail Association
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Sunrise along the Rim Canal
location: Moore Haven
PHOTO CREDIT: Robert Coveney / Florida Trail Association
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Lake Okeechobee from the Florida Trail
location: Chauncey Bay
PHOTO CREDIT: Sandra Friend / Florida Trail Association
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Sunrise over Lake Okeechobee
PHOTO CREDIT: Sandra Friend / Florida Trail Association
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Sunrise over the Okeechobee marshes
location: Big Bear Beach
PHOTO CREDIT: Rosalind Suit / Florida Trail Association
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Hiking the Herbert Hoover Dike
PHOTO CREDIT: Rosalind Suit / Florida Trail Association
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Sunrise over Lake Okeechobee
PHOTO CREDIT: Sandra Friend / Florida Trail Association
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Sunrise over Lake Okeechobee
PHOTO CREDIT: Sandra Friend / Florida Trail Association
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Hikers on the Herbert Hoover Dike
PHOTO CREDIT: Robert Coveney / Florida Trail Association
Hikers in Pahokee
PHOTO CREDIT: Sandra Friend / Florida Trail Association
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Hikers walking north from Pahokee along Lake Okeechobee
PHOTO CREDIT: Sandra Friend / Florida Trail Association
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Sand Cut, population 8
PHOTO CREDIT: Sandra Friend / Florida Trail Association
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Mango grove near Pahokee
PHOTO CREDIT: Sandra Friend / Florida Trail Association
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Children participating in the Big O Hike
PHOTO CREDIT: Sandra Friend / Florida Trail Association
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Sugar cane fields near Pahokee
PHOTO CREDIT: Sandra Friend / Florida Trail Association
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Hikers along the Rim Canal, Moore Haven
PHOTO CREDIT: Robert Coveney / Florida Trail Association
Fisheating Creek at sunrise
PHOTO CREDIT: Robert Coveney / Florida Trail Association
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Sugar cane fields near Moore Haven
PHOTO CREDIT: Sandra Friend / Florida Trail Association
Morning light on Eagle Bay, Okeechobee
PHOTO CREDIT: Sandra Friend / Florida Trail Association
Sandhill cranes dance atop the dike at Okeechobee
PHOTO CREDIT: Sandra Friend / Florida Trail Association
Misty morning at Moore Haven
PHOTO CREDIT: Sandra Friend / Florida Trail Association
Sunrise at Moore Haven
PHOTO CREDIT: Sandra Friend / Florida Trail Association
Early morning light at Moore Haven
PHOTO CREDIT: Sandra Friend / Florida Trail Association
Fog-shrouded marshes at Moore Haven
PHOTO CREDIT: Sandra Friend / Florida Trail Association
Hiking the trail in a fog, Moore Haven
PHOTO CREDIT: Sandra Friend / Florida Trail Association
Hikers approach Moore Haven during the Big O Hike
PHOTO CREDIT: Sandra Friend / Florida Trail Association
Rest stop near Moore Haven
PHOTO CREDIT: Sandra Friend / Florida Trail Association
Moonvine covers all along the receded shoreline at Chauncey Bay
PHOTO CREDIT: Sandra Friend / Florida Trail Association
Rest stop near Henry Creek
PHOTO CREDIT: Sandra Friend / Florida Trail Association
Campsite at Nubbin Slough
PHOTO CREDIT: Sandra Friend / Florida Trail Association
Campsite near Taylor Creek
PHOTO CREDIT: Sandra Friend / Florida Trail Association
Full moon over Kreamer Island
PHOTO CREDIT: Sandra Friend / Florida Trail Association
Campsite at Indian Prairie
PHOTO CREDIT: Sandra Friend / Florida Trail Association
Sunrise at Indian Prairie
PHOTO CREDIT: Sandra Friend / Florida Trail Association
A field of green near Pahokee
PHOTO CREDIT: Sandra Friend / Florida Trail Association
Wall of sugar cane at the bridge at Belle Glade
PHOTO CREDIT: Sandra Friend / Florida Trail Association
Hikers on a misty morning
PHOTO CREDIT: Robert Coveney / Florida Trail Association
Kickoff of 2007 Big O Hike, Pahokee
PHOTO CREDIT: Robert Coveney / Florida Trail Association
Hikers on the long stretch to Port Mayaca
PHOTO CREDIT: Robert Coveney / Florida Trail Association
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Getting started on the third day of the Big O Hike
PHOTO CREDIT: Robert Coveney / Florida Trail Association
Sunrise along the Rim Canal
PHOTO CREDIT: Robert Coveney / Florida Trail Association
Sunrise along the Rim Canal
PHOTO CREDIT: Robert Coveney / Florida Trail Association
Birdwatching at Chauncey Bay
PHOTO CREDIT: Robert Coveney / Florida Trail Association
An opportunity passed by
PHOTO CREDIT: Robert Coveney / Florida Trail Association
PHOTO CREDIT: Robert Coveney / Florida Trail Association
PHOTO CREDIT: Robert Coveney / Florida Trail Association
Indian Prairie campsite
PHOTO CREDIT: Robert Coveney / Florida Trail Association

Florida Trail Association

Okeechobee