Pahokee Marina & Campground

This facility is very clean and nice and well done . The staff I’ve met here are over the top outstanding friendly and kind. Every single site you could get here is an A - if you want plenty of shade ask for 1 as the trees are spread out - shade makes it an A+. Each site is lined up side by side in a straight line on the edge of the lake which looks and sounds like the ocean ( especially when it’s breezy).

The sun sets over the lake so it’s just like what you’d see in California - awesome sunsets every single day!
Bathrooms are very clean and spacious - there are 3 I believe so check to see how close your site is to one since there are no shortcuts in a straight line.
The only consideration about not staying here is the town. It lost its only major employer and the local population is suffering - it is in a severe state of disarray- and very run down -only small ma and pa food stores - services - and Resturants can survive here - not many locals have much money - so as a result choices are limited and non are close to the upscale services we expect these days - the town is run down and there is no comfort to go spend time or money into exploring the town which is within walking distance (sadly).

This town has potential - this campground should be a rallying point to draw new investment into this town ...but it’s my opinion the situation of the surrounding town makes it non desirable for Florida residents or out of state tourists as an attraction despite the amazing views from the campground and potential boating possibilities from the marina.
I’d personally stay here again -despite what I’m describing. I’ll spend money at a Restuarant here... But I may be more willing than most families with young kids. Looking at Poverty in America is depressing. Similar to what you might feel in Detroit or parts of Ohio where industry / work opportunities left.

The previous review with lots of detail is still accurate. The woman at the office is really friendly. Overall though, this place is very odd. Right on the lake so great views but you can’t actually use the lake because of green algae and wildlife, and the town itself is pretty sad, don’t expect any services, groceries, or pretty much anything. The office and marina are weirdly new and nice but empty. There is a bar/restaurant and tiki bar but all are empty and look like they’re waiting for someone to come open them.

If you’re looking for a place to crash for a night, hookups for water/electric and have your own food etc, this place will do. Cell service is terrible so do not rely on that. There is some WiFi by the office so if you need a quick download it might work.

While the sites are quite level, the grass and weeds are long and filled with stones, so much so that it’s easy to twist an angle. Large and tall rigs seem like they’re going to fall over on the very unlevel access roads over the dike. Worst of all there is a much better access road that is barricaded closed for no apparent reason. Restaurant and bar is permanently closed. Pool is not cleaned. You are allowed a campfire but you must bring your own fire ring... what? Many sites have only partial service. This place should be priced at around $15 per night.

This is our 3rd winter here. This campground is the only one on the shore of Lake Okeechobee, all of the others are on the safe side of the levee and can not see the lake. There is one on Torry island inside the levee but with 600 campers and tall grass they can't see the lake :(

Most GPS will take you to the center of Pahokee, 190 North Lake is actually up over the levee to the lake and left. BTW the address on the office says 90, someday they will put the 1 back up.

This was a KOA that defaulted and has been taken over by the town so some old reviews should be taken with a grain of salt. I think some of the reviews are for the trailer park in town. There are various prices, Good Sam and military discounts. If you are staying a few weeks it might be cheaper to pay for a month. The grounds keeping is done by Public Works, another truck for the baths. You will see them all coming in to check their systems plus Fish & Game checking the fisherman's catch and the Palm Beach police tend to take their breaks here.

New this year is 12 hour night security and there are 3 doggy waste stations, each is across from a bath.

One of the reasons for that night security is there has been some petty theft of unlocked items, a few bikes, fishing gear, a ministers wallet from his unlocked car, my solar lights and a flag I put on the site so late arrivals wouldn't think the site was available when we were off exploring.

Unlike most Florida campgrounds there are no permanent campers here. I think the limit is 11 months.

The are no pull thru's as all 118 campsites are lakefront. Across the road from your site is a grass covered levee so there is plenty of maneuvering room except sites 21 and 22 across from the dump station. If your neighbors are angled in to better watch the sunset you'll need to also. All sites are close to level and hard packed. If you need to put in tent stakes you should ask for a site with somethings to tie onto like a tree, pole, table or fireplug.

58 sites have full hook ups at the moment, the others are being repaired. (They work on island time here, none have been repaired in the last two years) Most have tables and fire pits. There are 3 bath/showers with the newest being at the pool. All have combo locks on the doors and the code is on your paperwork. So a review that complains that the baths were locked either didn't read the paperwork or didn't pay. There are other restrooms at the marina, the one in the picnic area is closed for repair. One has a working coin laundry, another is being repaired, again on island time.

There is a Glades propane delivery truck that comes thru once a week, this year on Thursdays, you'll hear his air horn coming down the road.

Wi-Fi is coming. There is a hot-spot by the office and you might get a signal at the north end of the pool. There are repeaters on the baths but coverage is spotty. No cable but my antenna is getting 41 both east & west coast Florida TV stations

Very quiet site with waves being the loudest thing you'll probably hear, maybe a train or the roosters in the morning. The levee between the campground and town is a good sound break and provides 110 miles of bike and walking path. There is usually a 7am wake up call as the crop dusters start work and take off from the Pahokee airport 3 miles south.

Food/Shopping

Next to the pool “was” Mo's Bar/Grill, great sandwiches and burgers. They are gone so take any old reviews with a grain of salt. There is outside seating if you brought Fido but right now all the town is serving is promises that a restaurant is coming, again they are on island time.

Over the levee and left, Chamber of Commerce, Barber, Tacos, Hook, Fish and Chicken, 2 Dollar stores and a Save-a-lot, Marathon station has food, the station next has good pizza and subs and way to the left a Subway. At Canal Point there is a corner grill we get sandwiches from.

Straight, there is a breakfast and lunch cafe, Town Center cafe that will be opening soon. Glades Drugs and a few blocks farther Pappa Jimmy's Catfish and a block beyond that is an auto parts store.

Right 2 blocks, Circle S Pharmacy, Post office, Library and playground. Sort of across the street from Circle S is Thriftway. I've seen better stock in 3rd world countries but they did have the squeeze bottle of Olive oil mayo I like and yes I checked the date!

There is a small hardware store at 4th and 398 S, Barfield Hwy that's not listed on Google.

For any major shopping we go to BJ's, Target, Walmart & Publix while in the Palm Beaches.

Cons, none of management are campers and they resist any suggestions to make this better such as; A camp host who could handle late check ins and Sundays and Holidays when city workers have off. A sign in the window after hours saying which sites are available. The office does not stock any camping supplies.

The recycling bucket is a sham, I've seen them dump it into the dumpster :(

This year the campground was full some weekends, if they don't repair the sites with broken hookups they will need to start turning people away :(

They move on island time, there are One Way signs on the ramps that have been down or missing for years. There are ramps going up onto the levee that should be marked No Exit, I've been really impressed by some with 5th wheels that have backed back and down the ramp because they were not paying attention before. The filter on the pool hasn't worked 100% for at least 3 month's, it took 2 months to fix the washing machine and the hot water heater leaked for a month before being replaced. There are dead trees that need to be taken down, they don't even need to haul them away, campers would use them for firewood or the campground could sell it for firewood!

Pahokee received a $1.2m grant from the state for improvements but sadly I suspect it will expire before they do anything with it.