Okeechobee is a small city in southern Florida and the county seat of Okeechobee County. The community was established in 1917 on the northern shores of Lake Okeechobee, and by the 1930s, Okeechobee had become a commercial center for the region. The city was producing many winter vegetables as well as other goods, including poultry, catfish, and even bullfrogs. In fact, the bullfrog breeding industry was a significant part of Okeechobee's economy. Despite being the county seat, Okeechobee has remained a quaint town throughout its entire history. As of 2023, the population is roughly 5,100.
Okeechobee is known for being one of the state's best fishing destinations, with the nearby lake offering superb opportunities to catch largemouth bass and speckled perch. There are plenty of other outdoor recreational activities to enjoy around the area as well. For example, when the sun is shining, you could head to the Dupuis Nature Center to explore the peaceful trails and the butterfly garden. You could also enjoy a scenic hike through Savannas Preserve State Park or take a relaxing stroll through the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens.
If you're in town with the whole family, consider visiting the Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast to browse the awesome educational exhibits. You could also catch a spring training baseball game at First Data Field, browse the galleries at the Vero Beach Museum of Art, or observe the fascinating creatures at the Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge. If you want to catch a live performance, the Vero Beach Theatre Guild is a great place to watch a musical, dramatic play, or comedy show. When you're ready to eat, you'll find some fantastic eateries around Okeechobee. A few of the best restaurants to sample are Lightsey’s Seafood Restaurant, Pogey's Family Restaurant, and Parrott Island.
Campgrounds Near Okeechobee, Florida
Meadowlark Shores RV Park is one of the nicest campgrounds in the Okeechobee area. The large park boasts 160 full-hookup RV campsites available for $35 per night or $215 per week. Located on the western shores of Lake Okeechobee, the campground offers amenities like a heated pool and free Wi-Fi. Additionally, the nearby lake has a boat ramp and is a great spot for recreational boating.
The Okeechobee area is also home to Lake Letta RV Park, which contains 63 full-hookup RV campsites available for $40 per night or $200 per week. The campground features both an indoor and outdoor clubhouse and hosts parties and other events for guests every week. Other amenities include a communal kitchen, free Wi-Fi, and showers.
Another lovely place to camp is Crooked Hook RV Resort. Situated on the banks of the Caloosahatchee River, the park has 180 RV campsites with full hookups available. Guests at the campground can partake in various activities, including bingo, bonfires, and many more. With two nearby bodies of water, the park is an excellent place to stay if you enjoy boating or fishing. You'll also have access to quite a few amenities during your stay.
State Parks Near Okeechobee, Florida
If you enjoy exploring serene, wide-open nature areas, you'll love Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park. The park is known for its vast stretch of grassland, where visitors can observe deer, parakeets, grasshopper sparrows, and other fascinating creatures. While visiting, you can rent a bike from the park office and set out on the 100 miles of trails, which can also be hiked. Alternatively, if you want to see the remote sections of the park, you can take a ranger-led prairie buggy tour.
Sebastian Inlet State Park is a gorgeous oceanfront park where visitors can enjoy the warm Florida sunshine and partake in various activities. The park is revered for offering some of the best surfing in all of Florida, and there are top-notch opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, waterskiing, and swimming as well. If you'd rather relax, you could sunbathe on the sandy beach or explore one of the park's two great museums. You could also explore the area's scenic multi-use trail and observe the many local wildlife species.
Highlands Hammock State Park is situated on the western side of Lake Whales Ridge and contains a unique collection of flora and fauna. In fact, the park features more rare and endangered species than any other state park in Florida. Some of the animals you might spot during your visit include alligators, deer, Florida panthers, black bears, and numerous avian species. Visitors can stroll through the botanical gardens, utilize the sports fields, and check out the many historical landmarks. Other popular activities at the park include hiking, biking, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, horseback riding, and boating.
National Sites Near Okeechobee, Florida
Located near the Everglades, Big Cypress National Preserve is a 729,000-acre stretch of temperate and tropical ecosystems. The preserve contains freshwaters that are integral to the health of the amazing Everglades. There are many recreational activities to enjoy around the site, including hiking, kayaking, bird-watching, and wildlife viewing. Some of the most popular trails to explore are the Gator Hook Trail and the Fire Prairie Trail.
If you enjoy spending time by the water, Canaveral National Seashore is an excellent place to visit. Situated along the gorgeous Florida coast, the site comprises a 25-mile stretch of white sand, where you can sunbathe, swim, play volleyball, or hike along the peaceful shoreline. Perhaps the coolest thing about the seashore is its proximity to the Kennedy Space Center. Because it's so close by, you can enjoy an incredible view of rocket launches when they take place. The site also features historic homes and unique archaeological finds to check out.
One of the most interesting historical sites in Florida is the De Soto National Memorial. The site commemorates very important events regarding the history of Florida and the United States. During your visit, you can learn about how Hernando de Soto and his group of conquistadors made their way through Florida in search of gold in 1539. At Camp Uzita within the memorial, you can also learn about the interactions between the area's Native Americans and those conquistadors. Around the site, you can also partake in activities like hiking, boating, fishing, camping, and bird-watching.
National Forests Near Okeechobee, Florida
Within Ocala National Forest, visitors will find a wide variety of excellent recreational opportunities. The forest, which encompasses 387,000 acres, features a diverse landscape of wetlands, swamps, and coastal lowlands. As you explore the unique forest, you may catch a glimpse of alligators, black bears, foxes, bobcats, and other awesome wildlife species. The forest also boasts over 600 bodies of water, and at popular spots like Lake George, you can enjoy fishing, kayaking, canoeing, swimming, and waterskiing. Snorkeling, hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding are frequent activities for guests as well.
Osceola National Forest is a serene natural haven known as a wonderful hiking destination. A few of the scenic trails you can navigate are the Osceola Nice Wanderer Trail, the Trampled Track Trail, and the Fanny Bay Trail. Additionally, the forest is located along the famous Florida National Scenic Trail. Many of the area's swampy hiking routes are popular spots for horseback riding as well. If you head to Ocean Point, you can go waterskiing, swimming, and fishing for largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, and other fish species.
If you head northwest to the Florida Panhandle, you can visit the 632,890-acre Apalachicola National Forest. The most famous landmark in the forest is the Leon Sinks Area, which is filled with mysterious caverns and breathtaking sinkholes. Another popular feature is the Apalachicola Savannahs Scenic Byway, which you can drive along to get a memorable perspective of the sprawling grasslands and woodlands. Other activities you can enjoy throughout the forest include hiking, fishing, stargazing, and bird-watching.
