The trail is smooth riding on a separate path from vehicles
The Cowboy Trail
Distance: 40-plus miles round-trip from start just west of the Florida Turnpike on State Road 70
Surface; Asphalt on a dedicated bicycle/horse trail. Motor vehicles do not travel on the trail.
Amenities and facilities: NONE. You will pass by one small country store. Make sure you bring any water or nutrition you will need for the ride.
What you’ll see: Back country Florida on the historic trail early settlers and cowboys rode from Fort Pierce to Okeechobee.
Public parking is available at Ten Mile Creek Preserve
Bicyclists share the Cowboy Trail with horses and riders
A view of the canal from the bridge
Buzzards are commonly seen along the Cowboy Trail
The Cowboy Trail is made of asphalt
A view of Ten Mile Creek from an old wooden bridge
A portion of the trail goes by historic Adams Ranch, one of the largest cow-calf operations in the country
Much of the ride goes along a canal.
The Cowboy Trail is an easy ride with no elevation changes
You are almost guaranteed to see an alligator while riding along the trail. For safety reasons, stay on the trail and don't venture near the canal
A popular ride in St. Lucie County that will give you a sense for interior Florida is the 44-mile round-trip Cowboy Trail ride that parallels Okeechobee Road (State Road 70) from just east of Florida’s Turnpike to the St. Lucie/Okeechobee county line.
Private parking is available near the businesses, including the McDonald’s, on the northwest side of King’s Highway and State Road 70. For public parking and a beautiful view of a back-Florida creek, you will find a public parking area and can start your ride at the Ten Mile Creek Preserve.
To get there travel west on State Road 70 beyond the turnpike intersection and take a left on Gordy Road, traveling 1.3 miles to signs for 10 Mile Creek Preserve. Although you will see signs for Gordy Road Recreation Area, don’t get the preserve confused with the preserve because the recreation area is several miles away
After parking your vehicle at Ten Mile Creek Preserve and getting on your bike, head back down Gordy Road toward Okeechobee Road, the historic trail between Fort Pierce and Okeechobee traveled by Florida’s early cowboys.
Take care crossing State Road 70 and get onto the sidewalk/bike trail on the north side of State Road 70, This will take you more than 20 miles along a concrete trail along some of the largest ranches in St. Lucie County, including the historic Adams Ranch, one of the largest cow/calf operations in the country.
The trail is shared with horse riders, so beware of the occasional manure pile. Also, for safety reasons, it is recommended to stay on the concrete trail instead of traveling on Okeechobee Road. The trail is good for both road and trail bikes.
Because a ditch runs parallel to the trail, you are almost guaranteed to see an alligator sunning itself along the ditch or a variety of inland water birds at play. The trail is a safe distance from the creek and the alligators, but it is highly recommended to stay on the trail.
Make sure you check the weather before you leave and bring snacks and liquids. There are few shelter areas and just one store along the trail.
The concrete trail ends near the St. Lucie/Okeechobee line right past some small cottages on the right that were once used as housing for dairy maids milking cows at the dairy on the property. You might want to turn around as you approach the cottages — now in disrepair — since unrestrained dogs roam near the cottages.