Things to Do in Moore Haven, Florida
A river town at the start of the Caloosahatchee, with a lock, a riverwalk and a famous festival.
See top-rated activities »About Moore Haven, Florida
Moore Haven, Florida is a small town with a big piece of water at each end of it. On one side is Lake Okeechobee; on the other, the Caloosahatchee River sets off west toward LaBelle and the Gulf. The town grew up in the early 1900s as a farming and shipping settlement on the lake, and for a while it was one of the busiest places in the region. The hurricane of 1926 hit it very hard, and much of the levee system that now rings the lake was built in the years that followed.
The best place to start is the riverwalk along the Caloosahatchee, with picnic shelters, fishing spots and docks where cruising boats tie up for the night. A short walk away is the Moore Haven Lock, one of five locks on the Okeechobee Waterway, the cross-state boat route from Stuart to Fort Myers. Watching a sailboat or trawler lock through is a slow, pleasant way to spend half an hour. At the corner of Avenue J and Riverside Drive stands the lone cypress tree that river pilots once used as a marker.
The Glades County Courthouse, finished in 1926 in the Classical Revival style, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and still anchors the small downtown along U.S. 27. The town’s biggest weekend is Chalo Nitka in early March, a fair, parade, rodeo and bass tournament held since the late 1940s; the name is a Seminole phrase for big bass.
Anglers launch from ramps around town into the rim canal and the lake, and the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail crosses the river here, so Moore Haven makes a sensible base for a ride along the dike. The town has a couple of RV resorts on the river, a historic small motel and a few casual places to eat, but it is worth carrying supplies if you are heading out on the lake for the day.
Don’t Miss
A walkway on the Caloosahatchee with picnic pavilions, fishing piers and dockage for passing boats.
One of the five locks on the Okeechobee Waterway, run by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; boats pass through on their way between the lake and the river.
A 1926 Classical Revival courthouse on the National Register of Historic Places, still in use as the seat of county government.
A single cypress at Avenue J and Riverside Drive that served as a navigation marker for early river traffic.
Home of the county’s fair, rodeo and festival each March, one of the oldest continuous festivals in Florida.
Top-Rated Tours, Tickets & Activities in Moore Haven
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Get free trip quotes »Moore Haven — FAQ
Can I walk or bike the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail from Moore Haven?
Yes. The trail runs along the dike near town; at Moore Haven it detours off the levee to cross the Caloosahatchee. Bring water and shade, as there is little cover on top of the dike.
Can boaters stop overnight in Moore Haven?
Yes. The town docks along the riverwalk and nearby marinas are used by boats crossing the state on the Okeechobee Waterway. Check current rules and space with the town before you arrive.
