Ortona Lock Campground

Corps of Engineers campgrounds never disappoint and Ortona South is no exception. Large, paved, level and immaculate sites here with ample space between neighboring sites. Wide, paved interior roads for easy navigation. Super clean bath houses with great showers. Electric and water hookups with a dump station on the property. The above rate reflects the National Senior Pass 50% discount.
Be aware that sites on the west end of the campground (which is the only side open in summer), river views are almost completely obstructed by vegetation. On the east end, river views are unobstructed. Also, most of the sites long enough to accommodate a longer rig and tug are located on the non-river sides of both ends of the campground, where about any sized rig would fit. There are very few river side sites -- on either side -- that would fit anything over 30-32 feet.
There really is not a whole lot to do in this area, though a day trip to Lake Okeechobee seems feasible. The nearest town, LaBelle, is about 10 miles away and it offers all you could want as far as shopping and restaurants. There is also a Walmart there as well.
We never left until the day before we were scheduled to head out to stock up for our trip to the Keys. We simply enjoyed the birds and the river and overall relaxation while here. This is a very quiet place as it seems likely to be home to mostly adult and/or retired campers.

We are never disappointed when we stay at an Army Corps Of Engineers campground and Ortona South Lock Campground was no exception. Located at the boat locks on the Caloosahatchee River section of the Okeechobee Waterway, Ortona South is a beautiful campground with easily accessible sites, excellent places to fish and a wonderful quiet atmosphere to enjoy some time away, The staff were friendly and helpful, taking the time to make sure everything was clean and well maintained. While there are no sewer hookups at each campsite, there was an easily accessible dump station at the entrance/exit of the campground. Each campsite features full electrical hookups (50 amp and 30 amp), freshwater hookups, a nice covered picnic table, fire ring, asphalt parking and gravel patio area. The sites were reasonably spaced apart and many had decent shade trees. Our campsite was on the river side so we were able to watch the boats came and go through the locks. Even those campsites not on the rive side have an amazing view of a HIUGE grassland basin which features views of migrating birds, cows and the occasional fox or coyote. The bathrooms and showers were clean and modern. Ortona South even has a small book lending library attached to the main information center right beside the dam spillway. If you have the time, be sure to tour the locks, spillway and check out the boats as they come though the area. For fishing, you can't beat the dock system at Ortona South for catching catfish, smallmouth bass, blue gill and even the occasional snook. All in all, we cannot recommenced Ortona South Lock Campground enough. We had ana amazing time there and look forward to going back!

Easy access, nice clean site, rest rooms and shower very clean. For us this was a shakedown cruise in our renovated 56 Airstream. We were more interested in how the Airstream would work. So we were not concerned with activities or what we could do around the area. I would say that this COE site is more for those who want to kick back and just enjoy being outside without a lot of extra activity . Enjoy the moment!

$30/night regular rate...$15 with America Beautiful Pass

Have waited six months into our RV life to start reviews for fair comparisons. Spent total of 6 nights in 5 different sites (they call it the Ortona shuffle). Liked all sites for different reasons. Another peaceful, clean, spread out ACE campground. A birders paradise. Also have resident gators. Long entrance road to get in which we took advantage of to run and bike. It ends at the highway though so did not bike further. Nice biking/walking path out of the back of the park near the dumpster. Easy dog walking. Friendly hosts and fellow campers. Lock system was interesting. My husband not as excited as no real hiking/biking on site, but if like me you’re happy to sit peacefully looking at nature and birdwatching this is heaven.

Very peaceful campground with large sites. Access is down a curvy, country road. The campground is bordered on one side by the river, lock and dam, and on the other by a pasture. Very clean bathhouses and spotless campsites. Wonderful camp hosts keep everything super clean. There’s great fishing at the pier below the dam. Close to La Belle, where there are small restaurants, gas stations, groceries and a craft brewery. Beautiful sunrises over the pasture. Our site (44) was pull-through and level. There was no shade which made it hard to sit outside during the day, but it was lovely at night. Next time we’ll try one of the campsites above the dam on the river side. This is a great campground for those who love peace, quiet, and watching birds and other wildlife, or just watching the boats go through the lock.

We stay there over Labor Day weekend. It was very very hot and humid. We used the time to wind down from being very busy. We needed the break.At the camp there is not much to do other than fishing and watching the boat traffic go through the lock. I spent some time working on the travel trailer and getting it ready for next years travels.
Overall this is a very nice camp for a short stay.

Beautiful C.O.E. campground in a rural riverside setting with cattle in a large field across from campground (no odor). My $15 rate reflects senior national park pass good at all U.S. government campgrounds. Paved roads and sites are well spaced, some with shrubbery between for some privacy. Well mowed grass between all sites. Sites 1-30 are closer together but have better views of either the river or fields. I was on site 32 which was very spacious, the primary advantage of sites 31 and above. I had the most shade of any site on 32.
Not much shade so was hot in June – 95 degrees most afternoons with high humidity. I was desperate for some camping after Covid-19 lockdown, otherwise would only go here in the much cooler weather of November – April. Did not use the bathrooms but found them clean with no air conditioning. Entrance gate is locked with a padlock. You must unlock it upon entry and exit, using the combination provided with your reservation. Very quiet, not a party place which is good for me. No road, train, airplane noise. 20/30/50 amp power is excellent and water was of decent quality with good pressure.
Consumer Cellular cell coverage varied from 1 – 3 bars and I was able to use my phone as an internet hot spot. Wifi only in a small area at bathrooms, one bench provided outside for your use. I did not use wifi since my site was too far away.
The biggest negative of this campground is no sewer connection at sites and the rule that you can only use the dump station once a week, or when you leave. I made it 6 nights with “wash cloth showers” and left a day early due to hot temps. I lowered my rating one star due to this issue.
Please take serious note: there is nothing to do at this campground and there are none of the usual RV park amenities. Talking with other campers and walking was the most I did. It is a great spot to decompress, relax, and spend some quiet time. Far from stores so bring everything you need. The nearest town, LaBelle, is about 10 miles away but it does have a smaller super Wal-Mart.
I do plan to return for a shorter four night visit in cooler weather. I camped in a 25’ class C motorhome.

This was a one night stand that we wish had been much longer. This is our first stay in a COE campground and we were impressed. Although out "in the middle of nowhere", we found the operation of the lock and the gator treading water below the flood control gate quite entertaining. The host at the entrance station was very cordial and helpful. We found it easy to believe that people worked hard at spending 2 weeks here.
The basin style construction of the holding station was the first we had seen and believe it is a tremendous asset for those who are emptying waste water portable totes. The hose there needs a new end on it. I had to use my own hose to connect to my black water rinse because the resident one was filling up my plumbing bay with the leaking.
I wonder what signage there might be in the future out at the highway for the turnoff. We missed it the first time because of a huge cluster of construction equipment working there.

Quiet, well maintained park. I picked it for a weekend trip since it's only 2 hours from our home in Miami. Lots of wildlife -- gators, deer and a wide variety of birds. Not much shade but some sites do have a tree. Very nice fishing pier, although mainly caught gar (not really edible.) Bathrooms and showers were clean. We rode bikes in the campground, and on the road out to route 80, There are some beautiful live oaks in the pastures. There is some type of construction going on on the east side of the park, but it didn't impact us since we were there on the weekend. Appears to be flood control projects. We spent some time in La Belle, which is a nice little town with some good restaurants, a bait store, a coffee shop and a honey store. We ate at the Log Cabin BBQ and can recommend it on price and quality. The Quart House gets good reviews but it was closed when we were there.