Lake
Okeechobee and Waterway is the 2nd Largest Freshwater Lake in the U.S. The
lake covers over or 467,200 acres. Facilities are available for fishing, camping
as well as an excellent restaurant. Fishing guides and boat captains are also
available. Camping facilities are at the Okee-Tantie Recreational area on the
northwest corner of the lake at Buckhead Ridge. Birds, fish and wildlife bring
thousands of visitors to Okeechobee each year, but the abundance of wildlife
would not exist without the wetlands that border the lake's southern and western
shore. This 3 to 8 miles wide strip of land, called the littoral zone, is the
foundation of Okeechobee's ecosystem.
Okeechobee is also home to diving
birds including cormorants and anhingas. Along the lakeshore or waterway, eagles
and caracaras may be seen nesting in the high trees. Two Seminole Indian reservations
are located close to project boundaries and throughout the year. In addition,
dedicated hikers and bikers can follow a section of the Florida National Scenic
Trail that utilizes Lake Okeechobee's Herbert Hoover Dike.
Okaloacoochee
Slough State Forest covers 32,039-acres. The property was originally logged
for railroad crossties, and sawmills were built for lumber production. Okaloacoochee
Slough State Forest is comprised of a 13,382-acre swale that carries water through
the forest from the north to the south. A wide range of recreational activities
are offered such as many miles of open forest roads available for hiking, hunting,
fishing and bicycling. Several “hidden” areas can be found for those
who enjoy a hike to an isolated fishing spot. The forest’s wetlands provide
opportunities for wildlife viewing. Hunting is a popular activity on Okaloacoochee
Slough State Forest.
Contact information:
Lake Okeechobee and Waterway
South Florida Operations Office
525 Ridgelawn Road
Clewiston, FL 33440-5399
Phone: (863) 983-8101
Okaloacoochee State Forest
6265 County Road 832
Felda, FL 33930
Phone: (863) 674-4679
Fax: (863) 612-0780
E-mail: podkowk@doacs.state.fl.us
LaBelle Nature Park
Phone: (863) 674-5727
E-mail: john@labellenaturepark.net