This Is the Cleanest Lake in the U.S.—and It Has Crystal-clear Waters and Zero Pollution
"The study identified Lake Okeechobee as the dirtiest lake in the U.S., assigning it a pollution score of 10 and describing it as having visibly murky water and lead contamination; the piece places the lake in the southern half of the state, just west of the town of Jupiter." - Katie Nadworny
Katie Nadworny
Katie Nadworny is an Istanbul-based writer who specializes in stories at the intersection of culture and politics in Turkey, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East. She has lived in Turkey for nearly a decade and has traveled extensively around the region.
Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
Highly recommend! Lake Okeechobee is a beautiful lake that offers a magnificent view of its water, sea grass and wildlife. The local restaurants show some of the trophy fish caught on this lake and they are impressive. We loved everything about our road trip around the lake. We will be back!
Coley
Google
Absolutely BEAUTIFUL ! Went for an E bike ride with a few others and Enjoyed every minute of it! As it was my first time there, and at sunset, I was in awe! Words nor pictures justify the beauty and serenity of it!
Grace C.
Google
Very good place! The view is amazing and unbelievable! I love the wildlife and this place is amazing at sunrise and sunset! Would totally visit agian!
Tariq M.
Google
Lovely lake, specially at the sunset. Over 100 miles of walking trails. Many many boat ramps.
Peaceful and quite
Will go again
Mayleni R.
Google
It was a beautiful day for a road trip. #Highlands County. #Lake Okeechobee
Just back from a lovely road trip! The peaceful scenic views were stunning. It was the perfect antidote to everyday stress. The fresh air was invigorating.
Tammy B.
Google
Love airboating on this lake. Lake Okeechobee is the 2nd largest natural lake in the United States. It’s well known for fishing too. I love all the little break areas for the Airboaters to use. We generally make a stop at one spot called the Tin Shed and have a picnic whenever we are out. You can see lots of different birds, some alligators, sometimes turtles too. The Tilapia beds are easy to spot. Can’t wait to go out at night to see all the red eyes from the gators.
Bryan C
Google
Biggest lake in the state! It's a amazing place for all things outdoor, including fishing and seasonal hunting. Or just sightseeing and bird watching. It's a freshwater lake with miles of marsh lands on the exterior and deep-water water in the interior. Because of its size and has its own microclimate and can be very different out on the Lake compared to on the shore. For the middle like you can use a traditional boat but to get into some of the marsh land areas there's lots of grass and you would need a mud boat or an airboat. Going out on to the lake navigation is very important because it is easy to get turned around out there and because of all the Tall Grass you don't always have a visual point of reference
Wandering Knapps aboard MV I.
Google
We had a wonderful day cruising across the lake. However, not the go play and ski kind of lake. Lots of green algae today. The locks are fun too.
We had a great day. Took about 5 hours going 8knots. Wandering Knapps aboard MV Illuminate.