Pahokee, Florida
Pahokee invites you to experience a quieter side of Florida in the great outdoors. Set on the eastern shore of Lake Okeechobee, this Glades community takes its name from an Indigenous word often translated as “grassy waters.” Established in the early 20th century, Pahokee was first known as East Beach and later Ridgeway Beach. Today it is sometimes called Palm Beach County’s “Other Coast” for its open lake views, fishing access, and laid-back pace.
About the Community
Pahokee remains a small city with a rural, close-knit character. Travelers who enjoy fishing, birding, boating, scenic drives, and uncrowded landscapes will find a very different side of Palm Beach County here. Royal palms line parts of the approach into town, and the surrounding Glades region offers a mix of lake scenery, farmland, and local history. You will not find a heavy resort atmosphere, but you will find easy access to Lake Okeechobee and a community shaped by agriculture, faith, and life on the water.
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Additional Details
Pahokee has several notable historic resources. Pahokee High School, completed in 1928 and designed by architect William Manley King, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Pahokee Woman’s Club and the Prince Theatre are also listed on the National Register. St. Mary’s Catholic Church, built in 1933 as a mission church of St. Ann’s in West Palm Beach, is known for older stained glass and pews donated from St. Ann’s during the Depression. The church also includes a museum and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The wooden fishing pier, commonly called the T-Dock, is a favorite spot for a stroll and broad lake views. Nearby, the Pahokee Marina and Campground provides direct access to Lake Okeechobee for camping, boating, and fishing. The campground has been known to offer 118 lakefront campsites along with a deep-water marina, boat rentals, a fishing pier, an open-air cafe, and cabins, though amenities and availability can change over time.
Vicinity of Pahokee
Nearby, hikers and cyclists can explore segments of the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail along the Herbert Hoover Dike. The route circles the lake and is known for long views over open water, sugarcane fields, ranchland, and small towns around the shoreline. Built as part of the region’s flood-control system after the devastating 1928 hurricane, the dike remains one of South Florida’s most distinctive manmade landscapes. Primitive campsites and access points vary by section, so it is wise to check current trail conditions before a longer outing.
