Go if
You want a clean, host-managed campground with lake access and a mix of tent, RV, and primitive options in the national forest.
Select a month, then check for open campsites
Price
$22/night
Booking
Reservable
Sites
32 campsites
Season
Open for reservation...
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
Select a month, then check for open campsites
Price
$22/night
Booking
Reservable
Sites
32 campsites
Season
Open for reservation...
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
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2832 Lake Ottawa Road
You want a clean, host-managed campground with lake access and a mix of tent, RV, and primitive options in the national forest.
You need perfectly level pads or guaranteed water system reliability during your stay.
Reference information about Lake Ottawa Campground sourced from official USFS records and forestcamping.com. View official recreation.gov page →
<p>Lake Ottawa Recreation area is in a beautiful forested northwoods setting located 5 miles southwest of Iron River, MI, on the Iron River Ranger District. Located in the general area is Lake Ottawa, Brule Lake, Hagerman Lake, Brule River, Bass Lake, the Historic Mile Post Zero/Treaty Tree, The Ge-Che Trail, and miles of hiking trails. Lake Ottawa Campground is 95% surrounded by National Forest System Lands and offers a pavilion with two stone fireplaces and original log picnic tables, and two log toilet buildings, which were constructed by the CCC in the late 1930's. A pressurized water system and sewage dump station is located in the campground. Adjacent to the campground is the CCC era , Lake Ottawa Day Use Facility with flush toilets, picnic areas, and a boat launch.</p><p>Fish Your National Forests: This site can be accessed by passenger car; fish available include, Lake trout, bass (Catch and release only, no possession allowed), walleye, panfish; Types of fishing available include shore, motorized boat, float tube, fly, spin, bait, ice; and boat launch available. Be sure to reference the latest Michigan fishing guide.</p><p>Map of recreation area (<a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd625724.pdf">pdf</a>).</p>
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Best season: summer. Summer offers the warmest, most reliable weather (daytime highs typically 70–80°F, nights 45–55°F) and full access to Lake Ottawa’s water recreation — swimming, paddling, power or paddle boating, and warm-water shore fishing — plus opened trails for hiking and mountain biking. Waterfalls and streams are pleasant after occasional storms and mornings often hold calm mist over the lake that’s perfect for wildlife viewing and sunrise paddles. Expect the highest use on holiday weekends and pleasant, Peak months: July, August, September, June Avoid: October, November, December, January
Prime season: swimming, boating and full trail access; summer is most favored by reviewers.
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Lake Ottawa Campground offers a range of amenities within a forested northwoods setting. Highlights include 32 campsites, a picnic shelter with two stone fireplaces, original log picnic tables, two log toilet buildings with flush toilets, a pressurized water system, and an RV dump station. Adjacent facilities in the day use area include a CCC-era recreation building with flush toilets, a swimming beach, playing field, picnic areas, and a boat launch. Drinking water availability has seen improvements, as noted by user reviews, but the furthest sections of the campground might still lack working spouts. "Hats off to the Ottawa National Forest for keeping this area open and well maintained, aside from some issues with the water systems," writes one user.
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Pulled from per-site mentions in 53 reviews.
Site #24 was praised for its splendid setting and helpful host.
Site #14 received several mentions.
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