Population (2025 estimate)13,055 — April 1, 2025 estimate
Open Water And Room To Wander
Glades County, FloridaGlades County brings together Lake Okeechobee, Fisheating Creek and the Caloosahatchee River. Moore Haven meets the Caloosahatchee River near Lake Okeechobee. Fisheating Creek adds a separate landscape of water and vegetation around Palmdale. Lakeport and Buckhead Ridge help explain why the county is better explored as a collection of communities than as one downtown. Use this guide to connect a day out with the practical resources that make local plans easier.
Glades County at a Glance
Population (2025 estimate)13,055 — April 1, 2025 estimate
County SeatMoore Haven
Largest MunicipalityMoore Haven — largest municipality, 2025 estimate
Established1921
ZIP CodeLook up by address
Total Area987.2 square miles, land and water (2025 Census geography)
Selected Major RoutesUS 27, SR 78, SR 29
Common Area Codes863
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Meet Local Businesses
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Discover Glades County
Glades County
Established in 1921, Glades County has its county seat in Moore Haven. Moore Haven meets the Caloosahatchee River near Lake Okeechobee. Fisheating Creek adds a separate landscape of water and vegetation around Palmdale. Lakeport and Buckhead Ridge help explain why the county is better explored as a collection of communities than as one downtown. These places give the county more than one center of activity. Exploring the communities separately makes room for local character, instead of treating every destination as part of a single visitor district.
Everyday life in Glades County spans Moore Haven, Lakeport, Buckhead Ridge. Planning around the community you are actually visiting helps with travel, shopping and appointments. This guide connects local discoveries with county government, school information, library services and public resources. Use the linked agencies for current service arrangements, and check individual venues before setting out. County boundaries, municipal services and business service areas are not interchangeable.
What Shapes Us
Riverfront Heritage
Begin with Lake Okeechobee, Fisheating Creek and the Caloosahatchee River. Choose one part of the county to explore, then follow the official visitor resources for access and practical details.
Lake Communities
Get to know Moore Haven and the surrounding communities through their public spaces, local destinations and everyday services. Let the place itself shape your next stop.
Creekside Recreation
Pair a local outing with the practical information you need. Agency links, visitor resources and direct business contacts help turn an idea into a workable plan.
Find your own pace among these local places.
A Sense of Place
Glades County in View
Community scenes, landscapes and local details.
WUSF — Florida and Tampa Bay
Rays celebrate sweeping Yankees, advancing to AL Championship Series
Victor Mesa Jr. hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer in the sixth inning as the Rays beat the Yankees…
Read the Story Oct 8, 2026 • 2 min read
Around Glades County
Stories from every corner of Glades County.
Rays celebrate sweeping Yankees, advancing to AL Championship Series
Victor Mesa Jr. hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer in the sixth inning as the Rays beat the Yankees…
Oct 8, 2026 • 2 min read
The highwayman: Doug Gray of the Marshall Tucker Band
The band, which includes its founding lead singer, plays the BayCare Sound Sunday at 6 p.m.
Oct 7, 2026 • 2 min read
Florida's ex-surgeon general warns of 'great harm to children' if vaccine rules change
The state department of health is holding a hearing on the rule change Thursday, Oct. 8 in Orlando.…
Oct 7, 2026 • 2 min read
'Alternative' Largo city budget anticipates cuts if Amendment 3 passes next month
Backers of Amendment 3 say it would force local governments to cut bloated budgets and eliminate unneeded positions.
Oct 7, 2026 • 2 min read
Five pieces of music for Halloween that might just curdle your guts
Whether the composers meant for this music to be scary is debatable. But, it still is.
Oct 7, 2026 • 2 min read
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
Everyday Connections
Find the right local resource
Use these direct agency links to plan visits, locate services and confirm current requirements.
Government
Glades County Property Appraiser
Property assessment records, exemptions and the local appraiser’s contacts.
Glades County Tax Collector
Local tax-collector services and office contacts.
Glades County Clerk of Court
County public records and clerk services.
County Supervisor of Elections Contact Lookup
Select Glades for the local election office’s official contact information; state directory updated September 24, 2026.
Glades County Government
County departments, public notices and public services.
Schools
Florida School District Contacts
Select this county for the district website and enrollment contacts.
Florida Department of Education
State education programs and school information.
Florida School Accountability Reports
Compare published school and district information.
Florida Virtual School
Explore statewide online public-school options.
Federal Student Aid
College financial aid information and applications.
Hospitals and Health Care
Florida Department of Health in Glades County
Local public-health services and clinic contacts; confirm which services are offered at each location.
County Health Department Locator
Select this county for public-health service locations; this is not a hospital directory.
Florida Health Finder
State healthcare facility information; search by county.
Medicare Care Compare
Find and compare hospitals and other care providers.
HRSA Find a Health Center
Locate federally supported health centers by address.
Public Safety
Glades County — Public Safety
Local agency contacts and non-emergency information; call 911 in an emergency.
Glades County — Emergency Management
Local public-safety preparedness and official incident information; use 911 for emergencies.
Glades County Sheriff
Official local law-enforcement contacts, reporting information and public-safety updates. Call 911 for emergencies.
Florida Highway Patrol
State highway law enforcement information.
Florida 511
Check road incidents and travel conditions.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Wildlife concerns and agency contacts.
Emergency Services
Glades County — Emergency Management
Local preparedness, warnings and emergency information.
Florida Division of Emergency Management
State preparedness and disaster updates.
National Hurricane Center
Official tropical weather forecasts and advisories.
National Weather Service
Local forecasts, watches and warnings.
Disaster Assistance
Check federal assistance options after a declared disaster.
State Parks
Florida State Parks
Find state parks and review official park notices.
State Park Reservations
Check campsite and cabin availability.
Trails
Glades County Hiking Guide
Local trail access including the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail and Ortona. Tourism notes repair-related closures, including the Ortona boardwalk; confirm current conditions.
Fisheating Creek — Recreation and Trail Access
FWC entrance map, trail guides and hunt calendar for Fisheating Creek; fees and access differ between the management area and concession services.
FWC Hiking Trail Guide Library
Download the Fisheating Creek Knobby Knee and Paradise Lake trail guides from the state’s hiking resource library.
Florida Greenways and Trails
State trails planning and recreation resources.
Florida Trail Association
Trail information and hiking resources.
Utilities
Find Your Utility Service Territory
Select Glades in the state map to identify potential electric, gas, water and wastewater providers; confirm address-level coverage.
Local Home Energy Assistance Provider
Find the agency serving Glades and ask about eligibility and available home-energy bill assistance.
Drinking Water Consumer Confidence Reports
Learn how to obtain and understand the annual quality report from your own drinking-water supplier.
Florida Public Service Commission
Information about regulated utility service and assistance.
Florida 811
Arrange underground utility marking before digging.
Libraries
Glades County — Library
Local library locations, collections and service information.
Glades County Public Library
County library system, catalog and branch information; verify local branch hours.
Florida Memory — State Library and Archives
Search historical photographs, documents and oral histories for local research; digital statewide collection.
Florida Electronic Library
Statewide digital research resources.
Ask a Librarian
Online reference assistance through Florida libraries.
Florida Braille and Talking Book Library
Accessible library services and eligibility information.
Courts
Glades County Clerk of Court
Local court records, filing information and clerk office contacts.
Florida Courts
State court information and court locator.
Florida Courts Help
Self-help information and court resources.
Florida Courts E-Filing Portal
Electronic filing portal; review applicable requirements.
Florida Legal Services
Civil legal assistance information.
DMV
Glades County — Motor Vehicle Office Directory
County-specific office addresses, transactions and appointment links maintained by FLHSMV.
Driver Licenses and ID Cards
Official Florida licensing and identification requirements.
Motor Vehicles, Tags and Titles
Registration and vehicle-title information.
MyDMV Portal
Online services offered by the state motor vehicle agency.
Motor Vehicle Service Locations
Find the appropriate office and check services before traveling.
Transportation
Glades County — Community Transportation Coordinator
Find Glades in FDOT’s county directory for the local provider, ride-booking number and eligibility contact.
Florida 511
Statewide traffic conditions and incidents.
Florida Department of Transportation
State road projects and transportation information.
SunPass
Toll account information and service.
Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged
Transportation coordination and eligibility resources.
Postal Services
USPS Location Finder
Find local post offices and available services by ZIP Code.
USPS Tracking
Track a mailed item.
USPS ZIP Code Lookup
Confirm an address ZIP Code; county boundaries are not postal boundaries.
USPS Hold Mail
Arrange eligible temporary mail holds.
USPS Change of Address
Official change-of-address service.
Veterans
Glades County — Veteran Services
Local veterans assistance and benefit navigation.
Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs
State veterans programs and benefits information.
VA Facility Locator
Find the appropriate VA facility near your address.
VA Health Care
Eligibility, enrollment and care information.
VA Benefits
Federal veterans benefits and account services.
Veterans Crisis Line
Confidential crisis support: dial 988, then press 1.
Employment
Glades County — Human Resources
County jobs and application requirements.
CareerSource Florida
Find regional workforce services and career centers.
Employ Florida
State job search and employment tools.
Florida State Jobs
State government employment opportunities.
USAJOBS
Federal employment opportunities.
Florida Reemployment Assistance
Official information about reemployment assistance.
Make Your Next Step Easier
Useful answers for exploring and everyday life.
Glades County Questions
Know Before You Go
Start with these county facts and direct links, then confirm the details that matter to your plans.
Glades County is associated with Lake Okeechobee, Fisheating Creek and the Caloosahatchee River. Start with the official local visitor resource to choose a community and check the details for your visit.
Moore Haven is the county seat. Glades County Government provides department information; check the specific office address before making a trip.
Moore Haven is the largest municipality in the April 1, 2025 state population estimates. This comparison uses incorporated municipalities, not census-designated places or metropolitan areas.
The April 1, 2025 estimate is 13,055 residents. The figure comes from Florida’s Office of Economic and Demographic Research, and is an estimate for that date rather than a live population count.
Glades County was established in 1921. The county history source provides the historical reference; the establishment year does not describe the age of the communities or cultures that preceded it.
Use the Florida Department of Education district directory and select Glades. Contact the district about enrollment and address-specific school assignments; a mailing city alone does not establish attendance eligibility.
Start with Glades County Government and its emergency information, then consult the National Weather Service for weather alerts. Review the current notice for your location rather than relying on an older event post.
Use the Florida county health department locator and select Glades for public-health services. For hospital and facility research, use Florida Health Finder. These resources help locate services; they do not confirm appointment availability.
Check the Florida motor vehicle office locator for the office serving your area. Review the offered services, required documents and appointment process before traveling; not every office handles every transaction.
Start with Fisheating Creek Outpost or Moore Haven Riverwalk. Use the official website for current hours, reservations and visiting details. Waterfront walking and picnic areas described by county tourism.
Use the direct business links: Vicki S. Anderson — Anderson Realty Co.. Confirm the specific service and location directly. An advertisement in this county guide does not establish countywide service coverage.
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
My Local Guide
Explore Local Places
Make room for a different kind of dayFollow the linked venues for visiting details and current availability.
Kids’ Fun
- Fisheating Creek Outpost — Family nature walks and creek surroundings in Palmdale; check access and fees with the operator.
- Gatorama — Wildlife exhibits and scheduled alligator shows in Palmdale; paid admission and encounter rules apply.
- Moore Haven Riverwalk — A family walk along the public riverfront; supervise children near the water.
Restaurants
- Ahern’s Deli — 1198 US Highway 27 N; 863-946-3000, as listed by county tourism.
- Haven’s Kitchen — 299 Avenue I; 863-509-8555, as listed by county tourism.
- Joey’s Pizza — 699 US-27; 863-946-1575, as listed by county tourism.
Shopping & Retail
- Fisheating Creek Outpost Camp Store — Palmdale camp store with outdoor supplies, souvenirs and T-shirts.
- Uncle Joe’s Fish Camp store — Convenience goods and clothing at the Glades County fish camp; confirm current stock and visitor access.
- Gatorama Gift Shop — Gatorama apparel, books and souvenirs; contact the Palmdale attraction about in-person shop access.
Clothing & Boutiques
- Fisheating Creek Outpost Camp Store — Palmdale camp store with outdoor supplies, souvenirs and T-shirts.
- Uncle Joe’s Fish Camp store — Convenience goods and clothing at the Glades County fish camp; confirm current stock and visitor access.
- Gatorama Gift Shop — Gatorama apparel, books and souvenirs; contact the Palmdale attraction about in-person shop access.
Outdoor Fun
- Fisheating Creek Outpost — Use the official website for current hours, reservations and visiting details.
- Moore Haven Riverwalk — Waterfront walking and picnic areas described by county tourism.
- The Glades Resort — Use the official website for current hours, reservations and visiting details.
Free Things To Do
- Moore Haven Riverwalk — Walk the public riverfront; paid boating services are separate.
- Lone Cypress Tree — View the historic tree at Avenue J and Riverside Drive.
- Historic Glades County Courthouse exterior — View the exterior from public areas; respect operating and security rules.
Keep exploring Glades CountyFind Your Next Local Stop