Warning
GeneralThe Lake Ottawa Pavilion will be closed for the 2026 season due to rehabilitation work needed to the interior and exterior of the building.Please check back for updates and the status of this facility. We are sorry for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience.
About Lake Ottawa Campground
Number of accommodations: 24
Campground Amenities
-
Beach Access -
Lake Access -
Dump Station
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Sites & Availability
24 Sites Available
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Site Details
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24 Sites Available
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Reviews (24)
What Guests Are Saying
Lake Ottawa Campground is praised for its beautiful setting, spacious and clean sites, and pleasant amenities like a great beach area and walking trails. While some guests encountered issues with bathroom availability and site suitability for tents, the overall experience remains positive, with many expressing eagerness to return. The campground offers a peaceful atmosphere and opportunities for nature appreciation, despite minor maintenance concerns.
What Guests Are Saying
Lake Ottawa Campground is praised for its beautiful setting, spacious and clean sites, and pleasant amenities like a great beach area and walking trails. While some guests encountered issues with bathroom availability and site suitability for tents, the overall experience remains positive, with many expressing eagerness to return. The campground offers a peaceful atmosphere and opportunities for nature appreciation, despite minor maintenance concerns.
Review Summary
Heather J
VerifiedOctober 25, 2025 • Stayed at: 08, Loop: Loop 1
I have camped here since I was a kid. Campground is beautiful. The only issue is the bathrooms were not in working order the weekend we were there. Other than that, always a great place to camp!
Andy C
VerifiedOctober 12, 2025 • Stayed at: 22, Loop: Loop 1
I reserved a campsite that was described as being able to accommodate a tent - that was not correct. What I found was a paved area suitable for a camper with the surrounding terrain sloped. I switched sites. The campground seems best suited for RV's and travel campers - not tent campers. If you are looking for private or semi private tent sites I wouldn't recommend Lake Ottawa campground.
Charles R
VerifiedOctober 6, 2025 • Stayed at: 14, Loop: Loop 1
When we arrived the site we reserved was taken. A travel trailer parked in our reserved spot and no campground host in the campground.
Denise M
VerifiedOctober 6, 2025 • Stayed at: 28, Loop: Loop 2
The campground and facilities were great. We were surprised though when the water was turned off mid weekend and the only bathroom was a fairly far walk the the boat ramp.
Jim K
VerifiedSeptember 8, 2025 • Stayed at: 16, Loop: Loop 1
Overall experience was good. The boat launch has some work that needs to be done. I was unable to launch my boat due to a couple of factors. One, the water was low, but that cannot be controlled. The other are the concrete pads were in a disarray. This left large gaps between the concrete where the wheels of the trailer can drop in and get hung up. I’m thinking this concrete can be straightened out pretty easily and maybe an additional one added and extending the dock for low water situations. I have a 24 foot pontoon that I carry on a bunkhouse trailer.
Tonya O
VerifiedSeptember 7, 2025 • Stayed at: 08, Loop: Loop 1
Spacious sites. Clean restrooms. Respectful neighbors. Great beach area with clear water. Nice walking trails. Had such a good time we went again a few weeks later.
Jessica R
VerifiedAugust 12, 2025 • Stayed at: 29, Loop: Loop 2
Love the campground! It was peaceful and beautiful. Can't wait to come back.
Anjila R
VerifiedJuly 27, 2025 • Stayed at: 22, Loop: Loop 1
This was our family's most favorite campground! Can't wait to return. The fresh asphalt was so nice for the kids to ride scooters on, the secret trails to the lake were perfect for morning swims and putting in our canoe, the large and private sites brought such closeness to nature! We especially loved the 6 loons and all their calls, and catching the crayfish (albeit invasive) that my youngest son kept calling hamsters. Can't recommend this place enough!
Parna B
VerifiedJuly 14, 2025 • Stayed at: 02, Loop: Loop 1
The stay was very nice. We stayed 3 nights. Bathroom was very clean and it has flushable commode which was a lovely surprise. We might come back to stay at fall ..
William C
VerifiedSeptember 22, 2024 • Stayed at: 28, Loop: Loop 2
We reserved site 28 for 4 nights. On Recreation.gov site 28 was shown as available for a small tent. There is no area on that site for a tent as most of the site is a paved driveway. Luckily we were able to switch sites and did enjoy our stay. Most facilities were well maintained. We did wish that more detailed information about the campground area had been available such as detailed trail maps. I know we were there late in the season, mid September, but after the first day we did not see the host. The host site advertised firewood but had no way to pay for it and there was little firewood available.
Over all this is a very nice peaceful campground next to a beautiful lake.
Location Lake Ottawa Campground
Address:
2832 Lake Ottawa Road
Iron River, MI, 49935
United States
- 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.
Latitude & Longitude: 46.075 / -88.7659
Elevation: 470 feet
Policies & Rules
| Category | About |
|---|---|
| General |
Camping in a developed recreation site is allowed for a period not longer than 14 days. After this time, you must move to another campground or dispersed site for at least 24 hours. |
| General |
Campers must occupy the site the first night. |
| General |
Eight people and two motorized vehicles are allowed per campsite with a maximum of one RV or camper trailer and two tents per camping site or three tents per camping site. |
| General |
Don't Move Firewood: Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org. |
| General |
Lake Ottawa Campground Map |
| General |
This campground is open to OHV’s. OHV’s must stay on the roadway or camping spur. |
| General |
This campground is operated by Camp Host, LLC under a special use permit with the Ottawa National Forest. |
| General |
Lake Ottawa Pavillion will be closed for the 2026 season due to rehabilitation work needed to the interior and exterior of the building. We are sorry for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience |
Warnings & Advisories
Warning
GeneralThe Lake Ottawa Pavilion will be closed for the 2026 season due to rehabilitation work needed to the interior and exterior of the building.Please check back for updates and the status of this facility. We are sorry for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience.
