Okeechobee KOA

The Great Outdoors

When you rent a motorhome near Okeechobee KOA, you’re a stone’s throw away from the northern shore of Lake Okeechobee, Florida's largest freshwater lake and a prime spot for fishing and boating. Largemouth bass and speckled perch are some of "Big O's" popular catches. For an ambitious hike, time your visit in November and follow the 110-mile Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail for the annual Big O hike when a lineup of wildlife – manatees, alligators, bobcats, to name a few – and camaraderie make the hike well worth the effort.A vast expanse of grassland at the headwaters of the Everglades awaits exploration whatever time of day and season. Hop on board a buggy for a ranger-guided tour of the Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park to spy on alligators, deer, and birds in their natural habitat. After sundown, the inky black sky lights up with sensational views of the Milky Way, so get an after-hours permit, or stay the night with your Okeechobee camper rental to enjoy this Dark Sky Park, the first in the state.For a truly back-to-the-wild experience in Florida, few experiences come close to what the Everglades National Park can offer. Occupying an incredibly vast 1.5 million acres, most of it not easily accessible, the park remains a refuge for the Florida panther, manatees, and migratory birds and raptors. Embark on a short hike on interpretive trails or a demanding 20-mile round-trip trek on the Old Ingraham Highway. For a deeper appreciation of the Glades' ecosystem, a guided airboat tour is better equipped to educate you on the region's unique environments.White sand and blue waters greet Okeechobee campers as they emerge from the inland sea and arrive at the Atlantic coast in Port St. Lucie. Whatever your inclinations, you are bound to find the perfect beach for it. Pepper Park not only offers near-shore reefs to snorkel in but also facilities for a proper beach picnic. Surfers and surfers with their furry friends favor Walton Rocks. And for a serene beach experience, a contemplative walk on the undeveloped coastline of Frederick Douglass Park is highly recommended.

Exploring the City

One of the Second Seminole War's battles unfolded in nearby Okeechobee Battlefield Historic State Park. The park commemorates the Seminole resistance of 1837 against forced relocation. Time your visit during late February to catch the battlefield reenactments. Outside that date, come here for birding opportunities. Pileated woodpeckers, red-bellied woodpeckers, and crested caracara are regularly sighted.Sports enthusiasts also have plenty to be excited about when they rent a camper near Okeechobee KOA. In Port St. Lucie, an hour's drive from the campground, the New York Mets descend on the Sunshine State for their spring training in the First Data Field (formerly the Tradition Field). In Jupiter's Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium, the St. Louis Cardinals hold court during pre-season. Auto racing fans have another reason to visit Jupiter, home of the Palm Beach International Raceway where drag races and go-karting events take place.While in and around Okeechobee, there are abundant opportunities to meet animals in their native environments, but you might want to see exotic animals from Asia, Australia, and Central/South America. Tigers, koalas, and capybaras are just some of the stars of the Palm Beach Zoo where more than 500 animals from nearly 200 species are housed. In Loxahatchee, a collection of African animals, which include lions, giraffes, and rhinoceros, can be viewed on a walk-through or drive-through safari in a mostly cage-less zoo.Florida fulfills the tropical vacation that you’ve always imagined. Postpone your plans no more and search for an RV in Okeechobee County. Bask in the warmth of the Sunshine State and go back home with more than a tan.