Ortona South

Location

2410 DALTON LANE SW
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Policies

Check-in

12:00 PM

Check-out

11:00 AM

Max stay

14 nights

Pets

Allowed (per listing)

Campfires

Allowed (per listing)

About

Ortona South sits on flat ground along the Caloosahatchee River where the landscape shifts quickly from marshy lakeshore to pasture: sabal palms and moss-draped live oaks fringe campsites to the south, the river runs along the north edge, and open pastures lie beyond. Wildlife is part of the daily rhythm large wading birds and other species gather along the shore, and an alligator may sun itself on a bank in a quietly dramatic moment so bring binoculars if bird and wildlife viewing are priorities. The campground's recreation leans toward low-key, water-centered activities: a large wooden pier at the campground produces common catches such as catfish, largemouth bass, bluegill and tilapia, while a smaller pier at the north end is known for snook (that pier is reached by walking across the dam when that crossing is open between 7 AM and 4 PM). The same north-side road you can reach by crossing the dam is a pleasant, bike- and pedestrian-friendly stretch during those hours for walkers and cyclists. Beyond Ortona South, LaBelle is the nearest town with services and is the gateway to area attractions from the Herbert Hoover Dike and the Lake Okeechobee trail corridor to seasonal events like LaBelle's Swamp Cabbage Festival. Practical comforts at Ortona South are straightforward and made for mixed camping styles: all 49 sites accommodate both RVs and tents and come with concrete pads, water hookup, 30- and 50-amp electric service, a fire ring with grill and a covered picnic table. Park amenities include restrooms with showers, a sanitary dump station, dumpsters, a picnic pavilion reserved for campers, and limited Wi-Fi near the west-end restroom; laundry is not available on site. Day-use visitors are welcome for fishing, and the Ortona North Day Use Area with a boat launch is roughly a 25-minute drive through LaBelle. Note that the South Florida Water Management District is building a water-quality treatment and testing facility adjacent to the southeast end of the campground; construction activity there may affect how quiet the site feels. For exact fees, reservation windows and seasonal closures, contact the park office before you go; the campground is reached from LaBelle by heading east on SR 80 for about eight miles and turning north onto Dalton Lane.