The Florida Trail, our National Scenic Trail in Florida, runs 1,400 miles from Big Cypress National Preserve to Pensacola Beach. As it circles Lake Okeechobee atop the Herbert Hoover Dike, it passes through Glades County for nearly 41 miles.

Backpackers enjoy the opportunity to stretch their legs and camp along the picturesque marshes and prairies seen from the trail, while day hikers have numerous choices of places to walk out and back from a trailhead and enjoy the scenery. The trail is marked with “Florida National Scenic Trail” signs at trailheads and gates, and the occasional orange blaze painted on a tree, power pole, or structure. There are covered benches along the way to provide a place to rest and have a snack. The trail through Glades County provides excellent opportunities for birding and is part of the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail.

At Moore Haven, the trail leaves the lake and heads into town to cross the Caloosahatchee River on a pedestrian walkway over the US 27 highway bridge. Moore Haven is a designated Florida Trail Gateway Community.

Learn about hiker amenities in Moore Haven

Trailhead parking is located at:
Indian Prairie Canal Recreation Area
Dyess Ditch Canal Recreation Area
Harney Pond Canal Recreation Park
Old Sportman's Village
Alvin L. Ward Senior Park

Primitive campsites are located along the trail. Each provides a picnic table and fire ring and has access to a nearby canal for filtering water. Designated campsites can be found at:

Buckhead Ridge
Indian Prairie
Lakeport
C-5A water structure
Liberty Point

The trail can also be accessed from:
Uncle Joe’s Fish Camp
Marina RV Park
S-127 water structure at Buckhead Ridge

This section of the Florida Trail is home to the annual Big O Hike around Lake Okeechobee, a series of 9 day hikes with an organized group around the lake during Thanksgiving week.

Learn more about the Florida Trail around Lake Okeechobee