The Florida Trail runs right through “America’s Sweetest Town” on the south shore of Lake Okeechobee. Established as a company town for sugar refineries in the 1930s, Clewiston is one of the most productive agricultural regions in the country, with vast acreage in citrus, ranching, vegetable farming, and sugar cane.
The Clewiston Museum, Sugarland Tours, and the Clewiston Inn – a circa 1938 National Historic Site with fine lodging and dining - offer insights into the region’s history.
Early Florida history indicates that the Clewiston area was first used as a campsite by the Indians as they fished the bass-laden waters of Lake Okeechobee. It also attracted its share of early adventurers and pioneer farmers. The first permanent development was undertaken in 1920 by Philadelphia investors who purchased a substantial tract of land surrounding the picturesque lakeshore and set about to establish a town. They soon had a railroad line built to connect Clewiston with the Atlantic Coast Line terminus at Moore Haven. They then commissioned a town planner to create a plan for the city, and hired someone to survey, map out and direct construction of the streets and canals. Within a few years, the rich muck lands around Clewiston attracted a group of Midwesterners interested in emulating the successful cultivation of sugar cane already undertaken on the lake’s eastern shore. Extensive sugar cane plantations were laid out and the first crops were so rich and abundant it was easy even then to envision Clewiston’s future as a sugar center.
The construction of the Herbert Hoover dike around Lake Okeechobee, created even more land suitable for cultivation and put Clewiston well on the road to achieving its status as the heart of the United States sugar bowl. During the 1930’s, Clewiston’s population continued to grow and the town’s commercial and social activities gradually became more diversified. By the 1950’s and 1960’s, citrus, winter vegetables, and cattle had become important to the economic growth of the area. In recent years, due to freezes in north Florida, more acreage is being planted in citrus. Hendry County has more citrus trees than any county in Florida. Clewiston’s largest industry, however, was, and is, sugar. With recent news reports about U.S. Sugar selling out its sugar cane fields for Everglades restoration and closing down its operations, expect to see Clewiston shift towards nature-based tourism, with its ample lake access for fishing and boating and recreational use of the Herbert Hoover Dike, including the Florida Trail.
Clewiston’s location on U.S. 27 places it at an important crossroads and many tourists from colder climates have chosen to make this pleasant little town their year-round home. The city population is about 6,500 with a zip code population of 19,000. Lake Okeechobee still abounds in huge bass and vast numbers of other fish. And, in continuing it’s Indian heritage, Clewiston has become a nationally renowned sport fishing center with tourist accommodations available all year.
Around Lake Okeechobee, the Florida Trail is atop the Herbert Hoover Dike, circling the second-largest freshwater lake entirely within the United States. Completed in 1937, this flood control structure was built by the Army corps of Engineers in response to a 1928 hurricane that created a tidal wave that destroyed the towns anong the south edge of the lake. Before the dike was built, Lake Okeechobee’s waters flowed directly into the Everglades “river of grass,” which was drained to create agricultural lands that now support sugar cane as a major crop. The trail stays on top of the open levee with few exceptions, mainly to skirt locks and dams. There are covered benches for rest stops, designated campsites with fire ring, picnic bench and easy access to water; and plenty of opportunities to visit trail towns for groceries, lodgings and great meals at bargain prices. Enjoy fabulous views across Florida’s inland sea. The Office of Greenways and Trails has paved this section of trail over the past several years. Be alert for bicyclists, service vehicles and snakes sunning on the hot surface.
Uncle Joe’s Fish Camp. A well-loved hikers’ stop that dates back to the 1940’s. It has snacks as well as tent sites and cabins.
Liberty Point. A designated campsite with a covered picnic bench and fire ring.
Clewiston. In Clewiston the trail leaves the dike and passes by the Wayside Recreation Area with lakeside picnic tables, restrooms and a boat ramp, before coming out to U.S. 27 to cross the bridge over the canal. Heading back to the dike, the trail passes the Army Corps of Engineers office complex before reaching the lock and dam structure. S-236 Pump Station Provides a bit of shade in this long section between Clewiston and John Stretch Park.
John Stretch Park. Day use only with restrooms, picnic pavilions and a phone.
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The Florida Trail runs right through “America’s Sweetest Town” on the south shore of Lake Okeechobee. Established as a company town for sugar refineries in the 1930s, Clewiston is one of the most productive agricultural regions in the country, with vast acreage in citrus, ranching, vegetable farming, and sugar cane. 
Clewiston - Grab & Go
with the Atlantic Coast Line terminus at Moore Haven. They then commissioned a town planner to create a plan for the city, and hired someone to survey, map out and direct construction of the streets and canals. Within a few years, the rich muck lands around Clewiston attracted a group of Midwesterners interested in emulating the successful cultivation of sugar cane already undertaken on the lake’s eastern shore. Extensive sugar cane plantations were laid out and the first crops were so rich and abundant it was easy even then to envision Clewiston’s future as a sugar center. 
Around Lake Okeechobee, the Florida Trail is atop the Herbert Hoover Dike, circling the second-largest freshwater lake entirely within the United States. Completed in 1937, this flood control structure was built by the Army corps of Engineers in response to a 1928 hurricane that created a tidal wave that destroyed the towns anong the south edge of the lake. Before the dike was built, Lake Okeechobee’s waters flowed directly into the Everglades “river of grass,” which was drained to create agricultural lands that now support sugar cane as a major crop. The trail stays on top of the open levee with few exceptions, mainly to skirt locks and dams. There are covered benches for rest stops, designated campsites with fire ring, picnic bench and easy access to water; and plenty of opportunities to visit trail towns for groceries, lodgings and great meals at bargain prices. Enjoy fabulous views across Florida’s inland sea. The Office of Greenways and Trails has paved this section of trail over the past several years. Be alert for bicyclists, service vehicles and snakes sunning on the hot surface. 
Florida Trail Map Brochure