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Ortona South is a perfect campground for a quiet, sunny escape to South Florida. the campground is set along the Caloosahatchie River.
Activities here are focused on simple, relaxing pleasures like fishing and strolling the grounds. The long entrance road from the highway provides a great place for walking and bicycling. Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, and Crappie are the most commonly caught fish at the large pier at the campground. Snook are commonly caught at the small north end pier which is accessible by walking across the dam from 7AM to 4PM. Several large bird species frequent the area if you are a Bird Watcher.
All campsites have concrete pads, electric, 30 amp and 50 amp, water hookups, a fire ring and grill, and a covererd picnic table. Other amenities include a sanitary dump station, restrooms with showers, dumpsters, Wifi (near west end restroom only), and a picnic pavilion for campers only. Day use visitors are allowed on site for fishing. The Ortona North Day Use Area has a boat launch and is a 25 minute drive by way of the Town of LaBelle. LaBelle is the nearest town and has stores, restaurants, etc. Laundry Facilities are not currently available on site.
The campground's terrain is flat and lined with tropical greenery like the Sabal Palm, the state tree of Florida. The Caloosatchie River to your north and picturesque pastures to your south. The South Florida Water Management District is constructing a Water Quality Treatment and Testing Facility, adjacent to the South East end of the campground. Construction at that site may affect the serenity of your experience
Head west to LaBelle, Florida, where an annual Swamp Cabbage Festival is held the last weekend of each February. Or travel east to hike or bike along the Herbert Hoover Dike, part of Lake Okeechobee, and part of the 1,400-mile long Florida National Scenic Trail.
From LaBelle, Florida, travel SR 80 8 mi east to Dalton Lane. Turn north on Dalton Lane and follow the road into the campground.
The wildlife is wonderful with lots of shore birds, song birds , rabbits, and even river otters. Sadly, the road to the campground is busy with dump trucks hauling sand during the week so bike riding or walking is limited at times. It's fun to watch so many boats come through the locks and people seemed to enjoy fishing at the dam. The volunteers were nice and facilities were well maintained. The sites aren't very private but it's still a delightful campground.
