Okeechobee County

Okeechobee County is on the northern shore of Lake Okeechobee and is one of five counties surrounding this beautiful lake. Okeechobee county has a total area of 892 square miles of which 769 square miles is land and 123 square miles is water.  Okeechobee county is centrally located approximately 1-2 hours from both east and west coast of Florida and only 2 hours from Orlando and Miami.  This rural community boasts more open land than most of it's neighbors which brings travelers a glimpse into natural Florida.   Okeechobee county has one municipality, Okeechobee City and a number of quaint small neighborhoods.   A number of annual visitors looking for R&R on the shores of paradise make Okeechobee their travel destination.  In Okeechobee there are a variety of thriving mom-and-pop shops here, with restaurants to visit and natural beauty to enjoy.

Okeechobee City

Okeechobee City is the hub of Okeechobee County, with roughly 5,700 residents and a total area of 4.2 square miles.   The small but thriving city exudes both a warm milieu and a progressive mentality – a winning combination.  The “must-sees” of Okeechobee City are located in the downtown area off of Park Street.  Take a walk through the Veterans Memorial Park where war heroes are celebrated with an amazing collection of war artifacts including a tank, helicopter and more.  While strolling through the downtown area and Flagler Parks you will make your way to the butterfly garden which has a beautiful collection of local artists painted butterfly statues. 

Coming to the downtown parks is a life size bold public art piece which is a true replication of a cattle drive.  This amazing public art will be made possible through community sponsorship.

Okeechobee offers alluring natural retreats.  Northern Okeechobee county is the wildlife walking path known as Taylor Creek Stormwater Treatment Area, lush and brimming with a variety of indigenous fauna and flora. Another natural experience can be had at the Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park which protects a remnant of what was once the great Indian Prairie stretching to Lake Okeechobee, a mosaic of wet and dry grasslands where wildflowers flourish.

Southern Okeechobee county lies the largest KOA in the state of Florida,  an awesome tropical campground. There are RV, campsites, and cabin lodgings with everything: from access to the lake or swimming in the resort pool, to playing golf or tennis against a spectacular backdrop. They even have an exercise building and a walking course.  

Finally, Okeechobee county is located at the Northern shore of the stunning lake itself, for which the city and county are named. Home to a variety of fish, water birds, and other aquatic creatures, it is both a beautiful and fascinating ecological destination, not only a fishermen's dream holiday.

Okeechobee residents are kind and welcoming, with open minds toward newcomers and a spirit of generosity.  Come to Okeechobee to experience our hospitality and spend some time in our local communities.

Taylor Creek

Taylor Creek is a beautiful area full of boats, food, and RV campgrounds. Taylor Creek shares a border with Okeechobee City to the south east. This is the ideal location for the most avid fishermen and water sports enthusiasts as it perches right on canals with access to Lake Okeechobee itself.

Ancient Oaks

Ancient Oaks RV Resort is an adult-only 55-years and older community that host mobile homes and offers lots to rent. It has its own marina, a boat ramp, and a plethora of leisure activities. Try your hand at shuffleboard, card games, sewing and quilting groups, and billiard rooms.

If you are into laid-back aquatics, try out the swimming pools and the hot tubs while you’re here.

Basinger

Basinger, also known as Fort Basinger, is a ghost town in the north western part of Okeechobee county. It still has a couple of homes, an elementary school, a cemetery, and a few random buildings to see. It’s also not far from the Kissimmee River.

Basswood

Basswood is a suburb community in the northern part of the county. It shares a border with Whispering Pines and the Okeechobee County Airport.

Country Hills Estates

Country Hills Estates is, literally, an estate nestled into the countryside of Okeechobee county. The area is bound by breathtaking landscapes, and many of the lots are up for sale as development takes off. It is a one of those hidden gems, providing time to reflect on immaculate scenery all year round.

Dixie Ranch Acres

A small housing development north west of Okeechobee county, Dixie Ranch Acres has so much to offer. Its beautiful land and houses are only the beginning. The Dixie folks have a taste for adventure and visitors will find the locals friendly and sociable.

Like the communities of Oak Park and Okeechobee Little Farms, the people of Dixie are focused on both agricultural and ecology much of the time.

Fort Drum

Fort Drum was once a small town only a few miles in the Northern area of Okeechobee county. There is a Service Plaza where the town used to be, and it is now home to over 21,000 acres of open land.

Four Seasons

Four Seasons is a housing development in the Eastern section of Okeechobee county, just past Cypress Quarters. This area is full of interesting houses, a juxtaposition against those from all walks of life who call it home, in season and out. Properties range from affordable to slightly more expensive, and it has easy access to the city center.

Quail Acres

Quail Acres is another neighborhood in the Northern section of Okeechobee county, with a few homes. Each property has a decent amount of beautiful land, with large areas to enjoy and unwind. Neighbors may not be close enough to wave over the fence but that doesn’t stop them from coming over for some tea and a chit chat.

Taylor Creek Isle

Taylor Creek Isle gets its name from the narrow streams of water dissecting strips of land. The waterways serve an excellent purpose for homeowners in the area as it allows direct access to the Lake Okeechobee through convenient waterways open in season and out. Residents enjoy the added benefit of being able to keep their own boats right next to their homes, available to hop in for a ride all the way on to the lake any time the opportunity presents itself.

Treasure Island

Treasure Island is the name of the small strip of land that divides most of Taylor Creek from Lake Okeechobee. It is a bustling community, full of a variety of homes. It is a neighborhood with lake access and transport links to the city center.

Viking Estates

Viking Estates is a mostly rural area in the North Western area of Okeechobee county. It is also known as “The Prairie” due to its grassy plains and mostly dirt roads. Although undeveloped, it is already equipped with a power source and is ready for anyone interested in relocating to the area. Viking Estates is a rough diamond (but not too rough) and is especially well-suited to those who want to own a piece of land and design their own forever (or holiday) home in the Okeechobee area.

Upthegrove Beach

A little way out of the main strip, past the fun-loving community at Ancient Oaks, lies the hugely popular Up the Grove Beach. A gateway to some of the more rural spots dotted around the ninth largest freshwater lake in the country, visitors can find Upthegrove Beach just south east of Taylor Creek.

It was named for an early family that settled there. The original name of the area was Op Den Graef, roughly translating to “by the duke”.

Whispering Pines

Whispering Pines is a suburb, be it a disorganized or ungoverned community of their own making. It is part of the Okeechobee Country bordering the Okeechobee High School and Okeechobee County Airport.

Oak Lake Estates

The desirable neighborhood of Oak Lake Estates is settled in the city’s southwest limits surrounded by some of the area’s most mature oak trees. It offers welcoming hammocks and shade for residents and visitors alike in the often-scorching summer heat.

The quiet rustle of the wind through the branches provides a soothing melody that makes for tranquil late afternoons and awe-inspiring sunsets peering ever so slightly between the overhanging foliage. A lovely little pond amid the lush greenery further adds to the draw of the Oak Lake Estates neighborhood.  Homes in this sought-after subdivision are beautifully established and maintained structures any family would be proud to own and host many a well-deserved gathering for family and friends alike.                                   

Lazy 7 Estates

The gorgeous sought-after expansive neighborhood of Lazy 7 Estates rolls out over the southwestern county of Okeechobee, Florida. Many of the area residents are drawn to this location for its remote qualities.

The community is marked by a sizeable symbolic number seven, making its claim on the area of Lazy 7 Estates. Although west of the Kissimmee River and still northeast of Lake Okeechobee, you would be hard pressed to be more than a stone’s throw away from some waterway to enjoy either a cooling dip or a relaxing evening of fishing fun. The homes within this area range in size from quaint to massive and with lot sizes in the acre range, you are sure to have a yard worthy of a sprawling mini putting green or touch football game.

R Bar Estates

R Bar Estates is a remote neighborhood snuggled northeast of Lake Okeechobee yet west of the Kissimmee River. The area boasts of large lot sizes and various ranch and traditional colony style homes where neighbors take long strolls to talk over fence lines with those next-door for the latest face-to-face updates from the previous day. Good neighbors make this area a steal of a location to live and visit whether year-round or simply for the winter months. R Bar Estates is a community with a love for the land.

Palm Creek Estates

Palm Creek Estates is a real hidden gem. Located in the southeastern area of Okeechobee county, this closely linked subdivision of single-family homes offers its residents the convenience of downtown amenities with the seclusion and privacy only a back road can offer. The lot sizes are smaller, which makes for the closeness of this area’s appeal. Most of the homes in this neighborhood are newly constructed and won’t require any upgrades.

Pine Ridge Park

Pine Ridge Park is an active senior living community located in the northeast section of Okeechobee county directly off highway 70 or Northeast Park Street as many in Okeechobee also know it as. Primarily comprised of mobile homes, this closely-knit community is sure to offer all its 55 and over residents the helping hand we all need in our golden years.

In Pine Ridge Park you are sure to find residents enjoying the evening shade off their porch with iced tea in hand while they relax in their rocking chairs watching the sun’s late-day rays cast hues of orange and pink through the towering clouds on the horizon.

Cypress Quarters

Cypress Quarters is a small rural town near Okeechobee City that is primarily housing. It is full of people from all walks of life with an appreciation for diversity.

Deans Court

Deans Court, much like Barber Quarters or Everglades, is a small neighborhood that is home to the First Missionary Baptist Church. A proud but quiet community not far from the Amtrak, it is just a few homes, neatly kept, and dotted with palm trees.

Sherman

Sherman is another ghost town South Eastern Okeechobee county. It is just outside of Taylor Creek but there are no houses left in this part of town. The lumber yard is still available for a few hours of exploration if you feel so inclined.

Hilolo

Hilolo is a on the smaller side, a quiet neighborhood in the eastern part of Taylor Creek. Only a few blocks away from Lake Okeechobee it’s just a quick walk away to a view and picnic (and maybe a day of watching a lure bob up and down on the lake as you pretend to have something more important to do).

Mildred

A beautiful countryside community North Eastern section of Okeechobee County, Mildred offers an amazing experience of true Florida country. It is a great place to get close-up with nature, so be sure to go prepared.

Spot in the Sun and Lazy 7

True to its name, Spot in the Sun is a tiny community in the Eastern part of Okeechobee County. It is a sort of sister community to its cousin on the western section of Okeechobee county, Lazy 7.

What are your favorite sights and sounds around Okeechobee County?