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.