ORTONA SOUTH RECREATION
AREA
Clewiston, FL
Description
Located on the Caloosahatchee River section of the
Okeechobee Waterway, Ortona Recreation Area provides
visitors with a taste of tranquil, serene country
life. The tropical atmosphere provides an excellent
location for friends and family to camp, fish, picnic,
or enjoy hours of quiet contemplation. While enjoying
nature's beauty, visitors can watch boats and manatees
going through Ortona Lock as they travel the Okeechobee
Waterway. Alligators, ospreys, and otters are frequently
seen in this area. A marina and golf course(s) are
located within a 15 minute drive.
The Ortona South Campground offers 51 sites with electric
and water hook ups. Additional amenities include a
dump station, hot showers, public telephone, and fishing
piers. The campground is open year round. Attendants
are on duty and the campground telephone number is
(863) 675-8400. The nearby town of LaBelle offers
grocery stores and restaurants. The nearest hospital
is East Pointe Hospital in Lehigh Acres.
Ortona North Day Use Area offers visitors opportunities
for picnicking, boating, and nature watching. A boat
ramp, picnic pavilions, picnic shelters, access to
the Caloosahatchee River for fishing, and when available,
access to Ortona Lock to watch boats pass through
while travelling the Okeechobee Waterway. Restrooms
are available and a park host is on duty to help visitors
with their needs.
Contact Information
Ortona South
525 RIDGELAWN RD
CLEWISTON FL 33440-5399
For more information about the park, please call
( 863)675-8400
Operating Hours
The Ortona South Campground is open 6am
to 10pm. All visitors are required to leave at 10pm
and the entrance gate is closed. Quiet hours are
observed 10pm to 6am. The Ortona North Day Use Area
is open from 8am to sunset.
Getting There
To Ortona South Campground
From LaBelle, travel 10 miles east on Highway 80,
turn north on Dalton Lane and follow into campground.
From Clewiston, travel 9 miles north on Highway
27 to Highway 80. Follow Highway 80 west for 14
mi les to Dalton Lane, turn north and follow into
campground.
To Ortona North Day Use Area
From LaBelle, travel north on Highway 29 four miles
from the 29/80 intersection, then east on Highway
78 (turn right) for approximately 5.9 miles, go
south on Highway 78A (turn right) and follow for
1.9 miles to the day use area.
From Clewiston, travel north on Highway 27, go to
Moore Haven and continue 5.5 miles north (from the
county courthouse), go west on Highway 78 (turn left)
8.8 miles to Highway 78A, then go south on Highway
78A (turn left) and follow for 1.9 miles to the day
use area.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Reservations must be made at least 3 days in advance.*
The campground is open year round. Gates open at 6am
and close at 10pm. Attendants are on duty and the
campground telephone number is 863-675-8400. No all-terrain
vehicles or off-road vehicles allowed. The campground
is located just 15 minutes east of LaBelle, Florida.
This campground has first-come, first-served sites.
Pets
Pet owners are responsible for cleaning up after their
pets. Pets must be penned or kept on a 6’ leash
at all times.
Campfires
Fires are permitted in grills & fire rings only.
Please extinguish all unattended fires.
Litter
Campers are expected to keep their site free of
litter at all times. Dumpsters are located throughout
the campground for your convenience.
Parking
Vehicles must be parked on camp pads or in designated
areas.
Trailer Dump Station
A dump station is provided for the disposal of waste
water or similar material. Dumping "gray water"
onto the ground is prohibited.
Ortona North Boat Launch Ramp
There is a $3.00 daily fee to use the boat launch
ramp, or you may purchase an Annual Pass for $30.00
at the Ortona South Campground Office. Annual Passes
are valid for day use fees at all US Army Corps of
Engineers Recreation Areas nationwide.
Golden
Age/Golden Access
The lifetime pass entitles cardholder to a 50% discount
of user fees at a federal project. Visitors who possess
proper identification that they are a U.S. Citizen,
either 62 years or older or receiving handicap disability
assistance are eligible for the program. The cards
may be obtained at the Ortona South Campground Office.
