Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail

Last updated
Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail
Length109 mi (175 km)
Location Clewiston, Florida, United States
SeasonYear round
Sights Lake Okeechobee
Hazards Sunburn
Heat stroke
Alligators
Pythons
Traffic
Surface Asphalt
grass
dirt
concrete

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. 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. The USDA and National Forest Service dedicated the Okeechobee Segment as part of the FNST in 1993. [1] Most of the trail is atop the 35-feet tall Herbert Hoover Dike. [2] The trail crosses five counties, Hendry, Glades, Okeechobee, Martin and Palm Beach. Many stretches run along state and county highways, including Florida State Road 78.

Contents

Facilities

There are 13 camping areas around the trail, most of which have no water or sanitation facilities. [2] While the trail circumnavigates the entire lake, there are portions in which the traveler must come down from the levee. In these areas, they may encounter heavy traffic and/or alligators. [3] Because most of the trail runs atop a levee, there is very little shelter from the Florida sun, [4] and running off the edge may result in a dangerous, rapid descent. [5]

Restrictions

Because the trail is administered by the federal government, firearms are prohibited. Groundfires are prohibited, pets must be kept on a leash, and all trash must be carried out. [3]

Closures

Because of the age of the dike and the instability of the terrain, there are frequent partial closures of the trail. [6] A thirty-mile section [5] from Mayaca to Canal Point is currently closed for renovation of the levee. [7] Additionally, the portion of the trail running from Taylor Creek to Nubbin Slough section, the portion from Pahokee to Torry Island section, South Bay to Clewiston and Liberty Point to Lakeport section of the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail as well as a portion of the Florida National Scenic Trail are closed for extensive dike rehabilitation work. The US Army Corps of Engineers maintains the trail and posts information about trail conditions on their website. [8]

Access points

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According to the Corps of Engineers, the following access points are available: [9]

John Stretch Park

John H Stretch Memorial Park
Cricket-johnstretchpark.jpg
Participants enjoy a game of cricket on the field at John Stretch Park
Type County park
Location47225 US 27, Palm Beach County, Florida
Nearest city Lake Harbor, Florida
Coordinates 26°41′48″N80°48′30″W / 26.696606°N 80.808392°W / 26.696606; -80.808392
EstablishedDedicated in 1970

John Stretch Park is a small roadside park on the south side of Lake Okeechobee that allows access to the trail. The park is accessed along U.S. Route 27. [10] The park provides picnic areas, restrooms, a large grassy field, an outdoor basketball court, and a boat ramp. Admission is not charged. The entire north edge of the park is dominated by the twenty-foot dike surrounding the lake. Set into this dike at one end of the park are flood control machinery and a lock for moving boats into and out of the lake.

This park also displays several diesel engines, valves, and pipes that once were part of the flood control facility.

The park is named in honor of John H. Stretch. A plaque in the park explains that Stretch worked as director of recreation and conservation for the flood control district between 1963 and 1970. In May 1970, Stretch was killed in a plane crash while working for the Florida Flood Control Agency. [11] [12]

In 2022, a man and a woman were shot to death in the park. [13] [14]

Flood control machinery on display Nordberg radial engine 648.JPG
Flood control machinery on display

References

  1. ↑ "Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail". State of Florida Office of Greenways and Trails. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
  2. 1 2 "Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail (LOST)" . Retrieved 20 May 2016.
  3. 1 2 "Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail (LOST)" . Retrieved 20 May 2016.
  4. ↑ "LOST Port Mayaca to 50E" . Retrieved 20 May 2016.
  5. 1 2 SOBCZAK, charles (26 January 2011). "LOST Trail offers unparalleled views and challenges" . Retrieved 20 May 2016.
  6. ↑ Ahart, Mike (10 December 2013). "Corps to close section of Lake O. Scenic Trail" . Retrieved 20 May 2016.
  7. ↑ Little, Scott. "Cycling in the Glades: Lake Okeechobee" . Retrieved 20 May 2016.
  8. ↑ "Lake Okeechobee and Florida National Scenic Trails CURRENT CLOSURES" (PDF). US Army Corps of Engineers. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
  9. ↑ "Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail (LOST)". US Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District. Archived from the original on November 13, 2012. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
  10. ↑ The Florida Trail: The Official Hiking Guide. Big Earth Publishing. 2004. pp. 54, 60, 61. ISBN   978-1-56579-492-4.
  11. ↑ "Plane Crash Probe Drawing a Blank" Fort Pierce News Tribune Newspaper Archives May 15, 1970 Page 3.
  12. ↑ "News Briefs" Panama City News Herald Newspaper Archives May 7, 1970 Page 2.
  13. ↑ Detman, Gary (2022-04-21). "Two people killed in triple shooting in South Bay". WPEC. Retrieved 2025-07-01.
  14. ↑ Lewis, Victoria (2022-04-21). "2 killed, 1 injured in shooting at park near South Bay". www.wflx.com. Retrieved 2025-07-01.
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