City Population: 17,400
Nestled in the heartland of the state close to Lake Okeechobee, Belle Glade is home to 17,360 residents. Legend has it that the town was so named because it was considered “the belle of the Glades.” Today, it is the largest city within the nearly three-million-acre subtropical Everglades. From its earliest days, agriculture has been a bedrock of the community, with celery, sugarcane, lettuce, and sweet corn the predominant crops.
An area known as “Indian Mound,” just west of the city, was an important Seminole excavation site—first by the Smithsonian Institution in the 1930s and later by the Florida State Museum. Incorporated as a town in 1928, with only 500 residents, Belle Glade is still the site of vital research. The University of Florida Everglades Research and Education Center is a field base for scientists and staff members who are researching soils, agronomy, entomology, water sciences, and horticulture, and overseeing graduate students.
Following a devastating hurricane in 1928 that sent floodwater from Lake Okeechobee surging through the community, federal and state governments agreed to build a levee. The Hoover Dike spans approximately 85 miles and reaches heights of 34 feet or more.
Land and water conservation, agriculture, and some of the best sport fishing in the state all thrive in this area. The vast Lake Okeechobee—referred to simply as “The Big O”—provides endless entertainment for anglers eager to snare a largemouth bass.
The Belle Glade Marina Campground is a home away from home for both fishermen and recreational campers who want to soak in the state’s rural beauty far from the glitzier coast. The campground features 350 campsites, boat ramps, miniature golf, and numerous picnic areas. Golfers will find an 18-hole course within walking distance, and hikers will enjoy the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail, with more than 100 miles of lakeside paths.
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