The Ortona South campground has two loops, each with one side on the water. Many of those on the other side have a good water view as well. Campsites have level concrete pads with gravel awning-side. Each has a picnic table with a sheltering roof, a fire ring, and a standing grill. Everything is neatly ordered with vast expanses of lawn, meaning if you like neatness you're home; if you like nature, well... Restrooms were clean and nicely kept. Showers are in a large room off the lavatory area, the doorway covered with a curtain and inside are two curtained showers. Hooks and benches are all outside the actual showers stalls. Ortona South is located on the Okeechobee Waterway, at one of the lock installations. Campers can actually cross the east side of the lock across the top of the gates when not in use. Observing the process of flooding and draining the lock up close is worth a stay. It is also pretty much all there is to do, other than pedal a bicycle (or walk) up and down the paved entrance road. There is no shopping of any kind for miles, so good preparation is necessary. There were no noticeable children there during our short stay; while there is lots of room for them, the waterfront would make careful supervision a necessity, and there are no playgrounds. If all you want to do is relax, this is a good place to do it. If you like activity, hiking, birds, natural variety, this would only rate a 5. We camped here in a Motorhome.

Ortona South is one of our favorites, we are currently in for a 2 week stay, our third trip to this campground. Like most Corps of Engineers facilities, Ortona is very clean and well maintained. About half of the sites are river front and most are fairly large, the layout and landscaping provide good privacy. It is a quiet out of the way spot so if your looking for lots of activities you won't find it here. Walking, reading, watching boat traffic through the lock and manatees in the Calossahatchie River are about it. For shopping or restaurants it's a 10 mile, 15 minute ride to the nearest town, LaBelle. We travel with a large golden retriever and Ortona like most COE C/G is very pet friendly, just keep them leashed, quiet and clean up after them. This is a very popular winter retreat and it does book solid in the winter months, many campers we've met have been coming here for years. We camped here in a Fifth Wheel.

We did not camp here but we drove in and looked at it. We camped at nearby WP Franklin. 2 loops, 1 dump station, 2 bathhouses were very clean but older ones. There was a picnic shelter to use by campers that had a grill, fire pit, and electric/water. 5 PT sites, and sites 45-46 were buddy sites. You can fish, there is a nature trail, and boat locks to watch the small ships go through. No playground but plenty of room to run around for kids. Pets are welcome. It is a long drive to everything so bring it with you. We would consider camping here with a group so there would be entertainment for adults as well as kids. Nice place to catch some quiet. We camped here in a Motorhome.