Best of Glades County, Florida
Bass water, cattle country and small river towns on the west shore of Lake Okeechobee.
See things to do »Glades County Florida at a Glance
Glades County, Florida is one of the least crowded corners of the state: about 12,000 residents spread across ranch land, sugar fields, cypress sloughs and the western rim of Lake Okeechobee. There are no beaches, theme parks or high-rise hotels. What it does have is the second-largest freshwater lake wholly inside the lower 48 states on its doorstep, a creek that many paddlers rank as the wildest in South Florida, and a calendar of country festivals that have run for generations.
Most visitors come for the water. Lake Okeechobee, known locally as the Big O, is famous for largemouth bass, and the fish camps and guides around Lakeport and Buckhead Ridge have catered to anglers for decades. The lake is shallow and grassy along this shore, which is good for fishing and also the reason airboats are such a common sight. Above it all runs the Herbert Hoover Dike, whose crest carries a paved and gravel trail for walkers and cyclists who want long views across open water.
Moore Haven, the county seat, sits where the Caloosahatchee River leaves the lake on its way to Fort Myers and the Gulf. Boats traveling the Okeechobee Waterway between the Atlantic and the Gulf pass through its lock, and the town’s riverwalk is a pleasant place to watch them. A 1920s courthouse and a lone cypress used as a river landmark are reminders that Moore Haven was a busy little port a century ago.
To the northwest, Fisheating Creek winds out of the cattle prairies toward the lake under live oaks and cypress. When the water is up, it is one of the most rewarding canoe trips in the state, with an outfitter and campground at Palmdale. Nearby are two very different pieces of old Florida: Gatorama, a roadside alligator attraction that has been open since 1957, and the Ortona Indian Mound Park, where earthworks and canals built long before European contact can still be traced. In the northeast corner of the county, the Brighton Seminole Reservation hosts one of Florida’s oldest rodeos every February.
This guide covers the county in three areas, with a dining page and a list of yearly events. Services are spread thin, so plan fuel, food and lodging ahead; fish camps, RV resorts and a few small motels make up most of the beds. If you want help pulling a fishing trip together, ask our travel specialists for a free trip quote.
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Top-Rated Things to Do in Glades County
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Where to Eat in Glades County
Dining in Glades County is casual and spread out: a steakhouse and an all-day diner at the Seminole casino near Brighton, a grill at the Fisheating Creek campground, pizza and steaks in Moore Haven, and fried catfish at lakeside spots just over the county line.
Festivals and Events in Glades County
Festival season runs from January to March: the Sour Orange Festival in Lakeport, the Catfish Festival in Buckhead Ridge, cane grinding at Ortona, the Brighton Field Day rodeo and, in early March, Chalo Nitka in Moore Haven.
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Glades County — FAQ
Where is Glades County, Florida?
In south-central Florida on the west and northwest side of Lake Okeechobee, between Highlands County to the north, Hendry County to the south and Charlotte and Lee counties to the west. Moore Haven, the county seat, is roughly 75 minutes from Fort Myers and about two hours from West Palm Beach.
What is the nearest airport?
Southwest Florida International (RSW) in Fort Myers is usually the most convenient. Palm Beach International (PBI) works for the Lakeport and Brighton side of the county. Either way you will need a car.
When is the best time to visit Glades County?
Late fall through spring. Bass fishing is at its best in the cooler months, the big festivals fall between January and March, and the weather is dry and mild. Summers are hot, buggy and stormy.
Where do visitors stay?
Mostly at fish camps, RV resorts and small motels around Moore Haven, Lakeport and Buckhead Ridge, plus the hotel at the Seminole casino near Brighton and the campground at Fisheating Creek. Book early for festival weekends.
Is Glades County good for families?
For families who like the outdoors, yes: canoeing Fisheating Creek, seeing alligators at Gatorama, riding the lake trail on bikes and the carnival and rodeo at Chalo Nitka. There is little in the way of rainy-day indoor entertainment.