Clewiston, Florida
Clewiston is a small city on the southwestern shore of Lake Okeechobee in Hendry County. Known as “America’s Sweetest Town,” it has long been tied to Florida fishing, agriculture, and the sugar industry. The city sits roughly 60 miles east of Fort Myers and about 80 to 90 miles from both West Palm Beach and Miami, giving visitors an easy escape with a distinctly small-town feel.
With its lakeside setting on Lake Okeechobee – one of the largest freshwater lakes in the United States – Clewiston appeals to anglers, boaters, birders, cyclists, and travelers looking for a quieter side of inland South Florida.
About the Community
Indigenous peoples lived, fished, and traveled through the Lake Okeechobee region long before modern settlement. The community that became Clewiston began as Sand Point, and in the 1920s investors including Alonzo Clewis and John and Marion O’Brien helped shape a planned town that was incorporated in 1925.
The rich muck soils around Lake Okeechobee attracted large-scale farming, and sugarcane became central to the local economy. The Southern Sugar Company later evolved into U.S. Sugar Corporation, which remains closely associated with Clewiston’s identity today.
During World War II, nearby Riddle Field served as a British Flying Training School where Royal Air Force cadets trained. Over time, Hendry County’s agricultural base expanded to include citrus, winter vegetables, and cattle, helping make the region one of inland South Florida’s longtime farming centers.
Lake Okeechobee remains central to life in Clewiston. The lake is especially well known for largemouth bass fishing and also draws anglers targeting bluegill, speckled perch (crappie), catfish, and other freshwater species. Boating, birding, and lakeside sightseeing are also major parts of the local appeal.
Nature lovers can explore portions of the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail, a paved route atop the Herbert Hoover Dike that circles the lake and links with sections of the Florida National Scenic Trail. Access points, closures, and trail conditions can vary by date. In town, visitors will find parks and recreation options including Sugarland Park, tennis courts, ball fields, and other public facilities, while golf and sightseeing flights may also be available in the area.
Important Links (Suggest / Report)
Vicinity of Clewiston
Additional Details
Clewiston is a practical base for exploring the south and southwest sides of Lake Okeechobee, with convenient access via U.S. 27 and State Road 80. Travelers will find everyday services such as restaurants, fuel, groceries, parks, library access, and medical care at Hendry Regional Medical Center.
Families and long-stay visitors may also find local recreation amenities such as a public pool, splash-play features, and community sports facilities, with seasonal hours and availability subject to change.
The historic Clewiston Inn remains one of the town’s best-known landmarks, and visitors can also look for motels, fishing lodges, and vacation rentals around town. If you are planning a boating or fishing trip, check individual properties for current availability, dockage, boat parking, guide-service connections, and other lake-oriented amenities.
Public boat ramps, marinas, bait shops, guide services, and casual local restaurants help support both anglers and leisure travelers. Community festivals and seasonal events can add extra charm to a visit, though dates and schedules vary from year to year.
Whether you come for bass fishing, a historic overnight stop, a ride along the dike trail, or simply a slower pace near the lake, Clewiston offers one of inland South Florida’s most distinctive small-town getaways.
