Lake Ottawa Campground

Overview

Planning a trip to the Lake Ottawa Campground? Watch for Alerts at the top of the page for any Alerts regarding this facility.

Lake Ottawa Campground is in a beautiful forested northwoods setting located 5 miles southwest of Iron River, MI, on the Iron River Ranger District. 

Recreation

  • Located adjacent to the Campground is Lake Ottawa, a deep cold water lake that provides fishermen with a good variety of game fish. There is a boat ramp with ample parking for trailers. 
  • Ge-Che Trail - Length is approximately 9 miles on a dirt trail. This trail provides scenery of primarily hardwood forest. The trail can be accessed from Lake Ottawa boat landing, and from within the campground.
  • Lake Ottawa Recreation Area day use area provides indoor facilities for a group picnic, and a large outdoor picnic area complete with picnic tables and grills. The area is large enough to provide plenty of space for all. Also located in the same area is an athletic field. The day use building provides indoor seating for eating or parties. The building has a fireplace, electricity, and flush toilets. 

Facilities

Lake Ottawa Campground is 95% surrounded by National Forest System Land and offers 32 campsites, a picnic shelter with two stone fireplaces and original log picnic tables, and two log toilet buildings with flush toilets. A pressurized water system and RV dump station are located in the campground. Adjacent to the campground, in the day use area, is a CCC era recreation building, with flush toilets, swimming beach, playing field, picnic areas and boat launch.

Nearby Attractions

  • Stateline-Mile Post Zero Trail - Scenery is hardwood, forested with two destination points on the Brule River. The trail is not a loop, it is a relatively flat dirt trail. The length of the trial is approximately 4/10 of a mile and takes you to the historic Stateline Mile Post Zero location indicating the border between Michgian and Wisconsin. 
  • The combination of topography and thousands of miles of rivers and streams have created hundreds of waterfalls throughout the Upper Peninsula, with several of the waterfalls located on the Ottawa. The Ottawa National Forest has 18 named waterfalls, 53,637 acres of lakes, 2,366 miles of perennial streams, 2,890 miles of intermittent (occasional) streams, and 210,761 acres of wetlands. The falls vary in size and some are easier to get to than others. For more information on the most visited waterfalls on and around the Ottawa National Forest, visit the Ottawa National Forest website waterfall page. 

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (906) 661-8870.

Camp site features

Across 31 camp sites:

  • Fire pit: 1 of 31 sites
  • Pets allowed: all 31 sites
  • Largest party: 8 people
  • Equipment: CAR, CARAVAN/CAMPER VAN, FIFTH WHEEL, LARGE TENT OVER 9X12`, PICKUP CAMPER, POP UP, RV, SMALL TENT, Tent, Trailer, VEHICLE

Fees

There is a day use fee associated with day use area and boat landing from May 15 – October 15, of $5 per day per vehicle, or an annual pass for $30 per vehicle. The annual pass covers Lake Ottawa Recreation Area, Black River Harbor Recreation Area, Marion Lake boat landing, Bobcat Lake day use and boat landing, Henry Lake, Pomeroy Lake, Norway Lake day use, Perch Lake, Lake Ste Kathryn, and Courtney Lake day use and boat landing. Please plan accordingly to ensure you can pay the daily fee at the self-registration fee tube. If you would like to purchase an annual pass, they are available from the on-site campground host. If you have additional questions, contact Camp Host, LLC at 906-661-8870. Day use fees will not be charged to those who have already paid for a campground campsite.

Directions

From Iron River, Mi., travel west on US 2, turn south on M 73, travel approximately 3/4 mile, turn west on Lake Ottawa Road and travel approximately 4 miles to the campground. From Watersmeet, Mi., travel 28 miles east on US 2, turn south on M 73, travel approximately 3/4 mile, turn west on Lake Ottawa Road and travel approximately 4 miles to the campground.

Stay Limit

Check in from 1 PM, check out by 11 AM.

Reviews

35 reviews
5 stars
18
4 stars
8
3 stars
6
2 stars
1
1 stars
2
Laurie B
Loop:Loop 1
Site:
Reviewed a month ago
What a beautiful, peaceful spot. Site 14 was very level, and looked down on the blue waters of Ottawa Lake. Can't wait to come back.
Jennifer K
Loop:Loop 2
Site:
Reviewed 3 months ago
A beautiful park with lovely forested sites. Lake is cold and rocky, so bring water shoes for swimming. Nice clean flush toilets.
Kristy L
Loop:Loop 1
Site:
Reviewed 3 months ago
Deborah O
Loop:Loop 1
Site:
Reviewed 3 months ago
There were problems with our site. The driveway was steeper than it appears in the picture and our wheel chocks didn't hold well on the wet pavement. The trailer slipped backwards after disconnecting even though all four wheels were securely chocked. The chocks just slid down hill. There was a steep incline down to the picnic table and fire ring. Too steep for us to safely navigate as it was loose rocks and gravel. It was not possible to get the picnic table level enough to use even with four leveling blocks under one end. It wasn't stable enough for us to safely sit. This site needs rehab and is not suitable for travel trailers and motor homes wouldn't be able to level. We had reserved two weeks, we left after one night.
Daniel H
Loop:Loop 1
Site:
Reviewed 4 months ago
Had great time, camp space was good,kids loved the beach, could see the lake though the trees and loons at night,it was clean,the bathrooms were clean, a good family place, nice and peaceful. Will absolutely be back.
DEAN R
Loop:Loop 1
Site:
Reviewed 4 months ago
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Availability

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Season dates

Walk In season

May 21, 2027 – May 27, 2027

First come, first served

Peak season

May 28, 2027 – Sep 30, 2027

Reservable online

Peak season

May 22, 2028 – Sep 15, 2028

Reservable online

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