Discover the real Florida on the Ocean to Lake Trail

Just to the northeast of Jonathan Dickinson State Park is the Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge. Here, you'll see the sand pine scrub and mangrove stands from the park slowly morph into actual beach. It's hard to believe, but roughly 90% of the sand pine scrub that once existed in Florida has been lost to development, so the refuge plays an important role in preserving land. Because it's undeveloped, the beach here almost feels like a secret beach. The Hobe Sound Nature Center is also a great stop while here. It offers displays and exhibits, as well as events and presentations, all dedicated to educating the public on the preservation of this ecosystem. If you're visiting between late May to mid-July, make sure to reserve a spot on one of the nighttime sea turtle walks, where you can actually witness endangered loggerhead sea turtles laying eggs.

Before heading inland, make one last stop on the coast, at Hobe Sound Beach. This public beach has lifeguards on duty and features other amenities (showers, picnic tables, bathrooms, ample parking), but is still far enough away from the more developed beaches that it won't be crowded. If you happen to see any turtle trails, remember to not touch!

As you head further inland, you'll start to see the landscape turn into, as the locals put it, cattle and citrus country. Indiantown is a charming rural community that shows off what the "real, authentic" Florida is like, outside the beachy kitsch. The Seminole Inn is the perfect place to immerse yourself in this unique atmosphere. Stay the night in one of the vintage-inspired rooms, or just stop by to grab lunch at the Inn. The inn’s specialty, though, is Sunday brunch. It's an old-school affair, with an omelet bar and mini Belgian waffles, along with a carving station, a hot bar serving fried chicken and all the fixings, fresh fruit, pastries, and a salad bar.

As you make your way closer to the lake, the landscape morphs into remnant Everglades marsh and piney flatwoods. You can explore 21,875 acres of it at the DuPuis Reserve. When you hear people talk about citrus and cattle, this is exactly what they're talking about, as the land was a ranch for Dutch white-belted cattle, sheep, and goats until recently. In addition to 22 miles of hiking trails, there's a visitor center with a butterfly garden and a great equestrian campground. Pro tip: since this area is pretty rural, the reserve offers some great stargazing once the sun sets.

About a mile east of Lake Okeechobee is the Barley Barber Swamp. All that remains of a once-vast Bald Cypress forest and waterway in the Greater Everglades watershed is this 450-acre patch of land, surrounded by Florida Light and Power's power plant. The old-growth cypress swamp is home to bald eagles, American alligators, North American river otters, bobcats, white-tailed deer, and one of the oldest bald cypress trees in the entire Southeastern U.S.; it's estimated to be over 1,000 years old and stands 88 feet tall, with a circumference of 33 feet. There's also a sand mound that was used as a trading site by Native Americans long ago; archaeologists have dug up pottery shards and other remnants. Stroll the raised boardwalk through the jungle-like setting and appreciate the taste of ancient Florida.

Once you reach Lake Okeechobee, you might want to set up camp and enjoy the lake for a bit. J & S Fish Camp is a great home base. They have sites for RVs and tents as well as cottages for rent, or you can simply stop by here to grab a cold drink at the tiki bar. You can rent boats at the marina as well, since Okeechobee is best experienced from the water. The lake, which is the second-largest freshwater lake in the contiguous US, offers great fishing, and the folks at J & S will help you make the most of your trip here.