How much does camping cost at Ortona South?

Camping fees at Ortona South range from $30-$35/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Ortona South first-come first-served or reservation?

Ortona South accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Ortona South before I book?

Yes! Ortona South has 6 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Ortona South?

Ortona South is open January 01 to December 31. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Ortona South?

Yes, Ortona South has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

Is there cell service at Ortona South?

Cell phone service at Ortona South is generally available. Cell service is available. Coverage may vary by carrier and exact location within the campground.

How many campsites does Ortona South have?

Ortona South has 50 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Ortona South?

Yes, pets are allowed at Ortona South. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Ortona South?

Ortona South offers: Restrooms, Showers, Dump Station, Electrical Hookups, Water Hookups, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Ortona South?

Popular activities at Ortona South include Fishing, Biking. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Ortona South

4.65

1.2K reviews

2410 DALTON LANE SW

Top 18% in FLWinter

Fishing

Featured in:Fishing Florida

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

33 ft

Price

$30 - $35/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

50 campsites

Season

Season opens January...

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Partial HookupsShowersWiFi

Book on Army Corps of Engineers Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

33 ft

Price

$30 - $35/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

50 campsites

Season

Season opens January...

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Partial HookupsShowersWiFi

Book on Army Corps of Engineers Official Website

Get Directions

Ortona South

$30.00 - $35.00 / night

Campsite Fees

GROUP SHELTER ELECTRIC: $35.00; STANDARD ELECTRIC: $30.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

Group Site Fee$35.00

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

863-675-8400

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

2410 DALTON LANE SW

Ortona South

2410 DALTON LANE SW

Nearby places

LaBelle (10 miles, approx. 15 minutes), Fort Myers (45 miles, approx. 1 hour), Moore Haven (8 miles, approx. 10 minutes).

Weather at Ortona South

Best Time to Camp at Ortona South

Best season: winter. Winter offers the most comfortable and reliable weather—expect daytime highs around 65–75°F and nights in the mid-50s—making riverside hikes, biking and fishing especially pleasant. Migratory birds and clear skies make wildlife viewing and photography excellent from December through March, and lower humidity means far fewer mosquitoes. Crowds increase around holiday weekends but remain moderate otherwise, so book ahead for prime riverfront sites. Peak months: January, February, March, December Avoid: September, October

Best

Winter(Dec-Feb)

4.5 / 5

Top 18% in FL

Winter listed as best season: cooler temps, lower humidity, migratory birds, many positive winter reviews.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: January 01 to December 31. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Season opens January 1 and closes December 31.

About Ortona South

Ortona South sits on the southern shore of Lake Okeechobee near Moore Haven, operated by the Army Corps of Engineers. The mid-sized campground offers electric and water hookups, showers, and a dump station, with fishing and biking as primary activities. Reviewers praise the spacious sites, clean facilities, and the unique experience of watching boats navigate the nearby locks.

Ortona South offers camping accommodations tailored to RVs and tents, with no group or luxury camping options available.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: winter. Winter offers the most comfortable and reliable weather—expect daytime highs around 65–75°F and nights in the mid-50s—making riverside hikes, biking and fishing especially pleasant. Migratory birds and clear skies make wildlife viewing and photography excellent from December through March, and lower humidity means far fewer mosquitoes. Crowds increase around holiday weekends but remain moderate otherwise, so book ahead for prime riverfront sites. Peak months: January, February, March, December Avoid: September, October

Elevation33 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground sits at 33 feet elevation along the Caloosahatchee River, shaded by Sabal Palms and dense tropical greenery. River otters, alligators, cottontail rabbits, and migratory birds frequent the area. South-facing sites overlook pastoral grazing lands, while riverfront spots provide views of passing boat traffic and the adjacent lock system. Sites have partial privacy from installed landscaping, though some campers note limited shade and openness in certain areas. Fire ants are present, so watch where you set up chairs.

Lodging & AccommodationsThe campground does not have hotel-style lodging or cabin accommodations; it is designed solely for RVs and tent camping.

Programs & ActivitiesCultural or educational programs are not explicitly offered at Ortona South.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

You may stay up to 14 nights during a visit at this campground within rolling 30 days.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Campsites have a maximum occupancy of 8 people per site.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made via Recreation.gov website and app or through the contact center.

AccessibilityAssistive mobility devices such as powered wheelchairs and electric scooters are permitted for individuals with mobility impairments, following validation with state-issued disability documentation. Some reviews highlighted paved paths for easy navigation.

Site SizeSites are spacious and level, with ample room and concrete pads for RVs. One reviewer stated, 'Large, roomy campsites with easy access and lots of space between sites.

PrivacySites provide partial privacy due to installed landscaping and spacing between campsites. However, some users noted limited shade and openness in certain areas.

Total Campsites50 campsites

Recommended SitesSite 33 is a standout choice for waterfront views, while sites like 41 and 42 are ideal for groups traveling together.

Best CampsitesSite 33 and other waterfront sites get consistent praise for their views and space. Reviewers recommend reserving river-facing spots early for better scenery and breeze.

Need help booking Ortona South?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Ortona South Campground features a comprehensive range of amenities to ensure a comfortable and relaxing camping experience. All campsites are equipped with concrete pads, electricity hookups offering both 30-amp and 50-amp options, water hookups, fire rings, grills, and covered picnic tables. Additional facilities include a sanitary dump station, restrooms with showers, dumpsters, and a picnic pavilion exclusively for campers. The west-end restroom area offers limited WiFi connectivity. Laundry facilities are unavailable on-site. Day-use visitors are permitted for fishing.

Showers

Electricity hookups

Water hookups

WiFi

Flush toilets

Dump station

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Ortona South Campground primarily caters to relaxation and simple outdoor activities, including fishing, bird watching, and walking paths. Visitors can also bike across the dam during operating hours.

Fishing

Biking

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Trash & RecyclingDumpsters are available at each end of the campground for trash disposal. Recycling facilities are not mentioned.

Cell CoverageCell phone service is available within the campground. Specific carriers such as AT&T and Verizon are mentioned positively in user reviews, with one camper quoting, 'Verizon reception was good.' Another noted, 'Cell service with ATT hotspot.' However, WiFi is limited to near the west-end restroom.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.7

1.2K reviews

Top-Rated

Ortona South is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews highlight the campground's cleanliness, spacious sites, and peaceful atmosphere. Frequent praises include the attentive hosts, scenic views, and excellent fishing spots. Negative feedback is often related to non-functional facilities and limited activities.

Review Summaries

Based on 1201 reviews

Best sites at a glance

Pulled from per-site mentions in 1201 reviews.

Site #42Loved
Site-specific reviews highlight Site #42 and #41 as pull-through buddy sites, Site #33 for excellent views, and Site #21 for privacy and wildlife.
Site #41Loved
One user remarked, 'Site #41 may require back-in parking.' Another noted, 'Site #33 along the river offers great views of the lock.'

What Campers Love

Positive reviews emphasize the campground's serene environment, well-maintained facilities, and friendly staff. One user wrote, 'Spacious sites, clean bathrooms, and friendly hosts,' while another...

Based on 1201 reviews

Common Concerns

Common complaints include closures of restrooms and showers, mosquito problems, and limited shade at certain sites. A camper stated, 'East-end bathrooms were closed during our stay,' while another...

Based on 1201 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Tips include bringing insect repellent due to mosquito concerns, planning visits during cooler months, and reserving sites along the river for better views. Multiple users recommended walking across...

Based on 1201 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Peak camping season is winter, with most favorable reviews citing cooler weather and wildlife sightings, such as manatees. Summer visits are less popular due to heat, mosquito issues, and limited...

Based on 1201 reviews

Camper Quotes

Quotes include: 'Cleanest COE campground we've ever visited,' 'Great fishing opportunities,' and 'Hosts were wonderful and helpful.'

Based on 1201 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility reviews are generally positive, with paved paths making navigation easy for individuals with mobility impairments. Assistive mobility devices are permitted, but some users noted that...

Based on 1201 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pet-friendly features were praised, with several users citing ample walking paths for dogs. However, one camper experienced issues with other visitors' dogs being disruptive.

Based on 1201 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

You want lakefront camping with full hookups and enjoy fishing or watching boat traffic through the locks.

Skip if

You need private, secluded sites or want to avoid fire ants and occasional restroom closures.

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Campgrounds

Lake Okeechobee

Ortona South

About Lake Okeechobee

Context for the broader area surrounding Ortona South, sourced from the federal Recreation.gov rec-area record.

As lake, waterway and surrounding countryside, Okeechobee shows the many faces of Florida. A canopy of moss-draped live oaks hides clusters of sabal palms. A tangle of water plants marks the boundary where wetland meets lakeshore. A lone alligator suns on a riverbank in a deceptively calm moment. Wild birds take flight in a sudden explosion of motion. Between the muted pastels of dawn and the brilliant display of sunset, Okeechobee is for all who love the outdoors.

Directions

The project office is located approximately 65 miles west of West Palm Beach, and 65 miles east of Fort Myers, FL. <br>From W. Palm Beach: Take US-98 heading west, which becomes US-441 North. Take 441N to FL-80 West, which becomes US-27 North. US-27 will take you to Clewiston.<br>From Ft. Myers: Take FL-80 East to US-27 South. Follow US-27 into Clewiston.