The name Lake Okeechobee was first documented by Spanish explorers in the 16th century. Okeechobee…read moremeans "big water" in the Hitchiti Seminole Indian language. With a surface area of 730 square miles, it is the largest lake in the southeastern United States but relatively shallow at only 10 to 12 feet deep. The primary source of water for the lake is the Kissimmee River located just to the north of the lake. Before European settlers arrived, the lake was home to Native Americans including the Calusa and Seminole tribes. The late 19th century saw the arrival of European settlers who farmed and raised cattle which became an important industry in the region. The fertile land around Lake Okeechobee attracted many farmers for its agricultural potential. The Hurricane of 1928 caused the lake's dike to fail, resulting in catastrophic flooding and the loss of as many as 3,000 people who were in the area to pick crops. There are several mass burial sites of hurricane victims in the area. In the 1930's the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers constructed the Herbert Hoover Dike to prevent future flooding disasters. The dike was completed in the 1960's and serves to protect the surrounding communities from lake overflow. The Okeechobee Waterway, a canal system connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico, was completed in the mid-20th century. This waterway included the Caloosahatchee River and the St. Lucie Canal, providing a navigable route across the state of Florida. While the canal system facilitated the transportation of goods and contributed to the agricultural development of the region, it negatively impacted the health of Lake Okeechobee with agriculture runoff. Current efforts are focused on restoring the water quality and health of the lake while still meeting the agriculture needs of the surrounding farms. Lake Okeechobee is one of those Florida landmarks you have to experience at least once. Surrounding the lake is the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail, a mostly paved 109 mile trail that sits on top of the Herbert Hoover Dike. Along the trail are parks with amenities like picnic areas and restrooms. The trail is ideal for bikers, bird watchers, and anyone who wants a scenic views of the lake. Some of my favorite stops around the lake are the John Stretch Memorial Park, Lakeside Ranch Stormwater Treatment Area, and the Lake Okeechobee North Pier. The lake is known for bass, crappie also known as speckled perch, and bluegill fishing and there are number of fishing camps and places that offer fishing and boating excursions on the lake. Charming small towns like Clewiston, Belle Glade, and Okeechobee also surround the lake and are places where you can see buildings and places of historical interest and grab a meal. One of my favorite Okeechobee festivals is the Speckled Perch festival which celebrates the fishing heritage of the area and where you can see an authentic cattle drive. Lake Okeechobee is a a great place to explore and experience the more natural side of Florida.

Great day for the family to experience some Florida wildlife! Airboat rides and bass fishing!read more

C. Scott Driver was an environmental champion for Lake Okeechobee. The fishing guide and lake…read moreactivist came to the public spotlight in 1985 when he demanded that the state clean up Lake Okeechobee. Conservationists fighting to save the lake took up the cause. Driver was a major influence on then governor Bob Graham who appointed a Lake Okeechobee task force that recommended plans to halt lake pollution and establish Florida's water clean-up law, the Surface Water Improvement and Management Act of 1987. Sadly Mr. Driver passed away from leukemia in 2021 but he is remembered as the heart and soul of the waters of Lake Okeechobee. His dedication to the largest freshwater lake in Florida is celebrated with this recreation area on the eastern shore of the Kissimmee River just north of the SR 78 bridge that was named in his honor. C. Scott Driver Park was created for the outdoor enthusiast. It has two stand-alone boat ramps with four singles lanes and 1 double lane. There are also four launch docks and a parking area for vehicles with trailers next to the restroom. While this recreation is enjoyed by boaters it is also a favorite of bird watchers. There are two places for birdwatching, one along the north bound Florida trail and the other on a trail along the Kissimmee River where you may spot great egret, ibis, snowy egret, cattle egret, little blue herons, and wood storks. C. Scott Driver Recreation Area is a wonderful destination for anyone looking to enjoy the outdoors.

This was a great tour and we had a lot of fun. Very knowledgeable staff ! We recommend this placeread more

Awesome time! My family of 4 loved it. Captain Wayne did a great job explaining the ecosystem and…read moreanswering our questions. Highly recommend.

We went to the Glades to buy a used RV and truck and ended up staying for a month. It was all we…read morehoped it would be and we're sorry we could not enjoy all of the activities they usually offer because of Covid. My husband loved the pickle ball courts and the two restaurants on site were absolutely stellar, especially Crumbs where we had many breakfast and dinners. The one time we had pizza we were very satisfied as well. RV years were mostly from Ohio and Michigan and a few Canadians, but that contingent was largely absent due to Covid. All the campers we met were friendly and helpful and the site was impeccable. The front office was especially helpful for providing notary public services for our vehicle purchases. My husband was wild about the pickle ball courts and the great folks that he played with. It was an especially good value for a month and even more so for a year. The pool was lovely and we looked forward to the Wednesday bake sales and farmers market. We would love to go back and might even consider wintering there next year. My only observation as a new RVEr was that the population At Florida RV parks in general was very Caucasian. There were no or very few Hispanics, African-Americans and Asians at the location. It was definitely LGBT friendly. Servers at Crumbs Country restaurant did not wear masks but outside dining was available and very comfortable. The overall belief of the RVers was that Covid had already come through the park and everyone simply distanced or rode by on their golf carts. Almost no one wore a mask.

Reasonable and all in one places to camp or live. Great food entertainment and golf?…read more9 holes and what a great course, then jump on the boat and going fishing or cruising around. Just can't find any campground that is reasonably priced and has all the above amenities.

We rented a canoe and opted for the 5-mile trip, although we arrived later in the day and had to…read moresettle for the 1:30 trip. Despite the timing, it was incredibly peaceful as the sounds of traffic faded away, leaving only the symphony of nature - birds, animals, and plenty of sightings of alligators and turtles.

Awesome time, great prices. Very friendly staff. I would recommend this place to any new kayakers,…read morealmost no current and a nice breeze.