Lake Ottawa Campground
Closed — Closed for the season. The campground gate closed at 12:00 p.m. CT on September 30, 2025. Reopens May 24, 2026. Day use area and boat launch remain open year-round, but winter access may be limited due to snow. The Lake Ottawa Pavilion will be closed for the 2026 season due to rehabilitation work.
Flood Watch issued April 12 at 2:10AM EDT until April 15 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Marquette MI
Heavy rain may fall on a deep primed snowpack leading to the melt increasing. Flows in rivers may increase quickly and reach critical levels. * WHAT...Flooding caused by rain and snowmelt continues to be possible. * WHERE...Portions of central Upper and western Upper Michigan, including the following areas, in central Upper Michigan, Alger, Baraga, Delta, Dickinson, Iron, Luce, Marquette, Menominee, Northern Schoolcraft and Southern Schoolcraft. In western Upper Michigan, Gogebic, Keweenaw, Northern Houghton, Ontonagon and Southern Houghton. * WHEN...Through Wednesday morning. * IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - www.weather.gov/safety/flood
Flood Warning issued April 11 at 9:16PM CDT by NWS Marquette MI
...The Flood Warning is extended for the following rivers in Michigan... Paint River at Crystal Falls (Paint) affecting Iron County. .Warming temperatures will accelerate snowmelt over the weekend into early next week. Flows in rivers will increase quickly and reach critical levels. Rainfall is also likely during this time period which could result in rivers rising above the current forecast. * WHAT...Minor flooding is forecast. * WHERE...Paint River at Crystal Falls (Paint). * WHEN...From Tuesday afternoon until further notice. * IMPACTS...At 5.0 feet, At 5 feet the lowest portions of the Robert Olson Walking Trail begin to flood At 5.5 feet, 3500 - cfs - River exceeds bankfull stage At 7.0 feet, 5600 - cfs - Waterfront park areas near the M-69 bridge and low lying areas along the river in Crystal Falls become inundated. At 8.0 feet, Parking lot of roadside park upstream of M-69 begins to flood * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 8:10 PM CDT Saturday the stage was 3.9 feet. - Bankfull stage is 5.5 feet. - Forecast...The river is expected to rise above flood stage Tuesday afternoon and continue rising to a crest of 7.5 feet early Wednesday afternoon. - Flood stage is 7.0 feet. - Flood History...This crest compares to a previous crest of 6.7 feet on 04/30/2020. - www.weather.gov/safety/flood
From Recreation.gov
**The 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 is situated in a beautiful forested northwoods setting on the Iron River Ranger District of the Ottawa National Forest, just 5 miles southwest of Iron River, Michigan. The campground is 95% surrounded by National Forest System lands and features 32 wooded campsites, with 16 available for reservation and 15 first-come, first-served sites. The facility showcases historic structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the late 1930s, including two log toilet buildings with flush toilets and a pavilion featuring two stone fireplaces and original log picnic tables. The campground provides pressurized water from hydrants near sites and includes a sewage dump station for RV campers. Located adjacent to the campground is Lake Ottawa, a deep cold-water lake that offers excellent fishing opportunities for lake trout, walleye, northern pike, panfish, and bass (catch and release only). A boat ramp with ample trailer parking provides easy lake access. The nearby day use area features a CCC-era building with flush toilets and a fireplace, outdoor picnic areas with tables and grills, and an athletic field. Recreational opportunities abound with the 9-mile Ge-Che Trail accessible from the campground and boat landing, providing scenic hiking through primarily hardwood forest. The area also offers access to nearby Brule Lake, Hagerman Lake, Bass Lake, the Brule River, and the historic Mile Post Zero/Treaty Tree marking the Michigan-Wisconsin border. The campground operates from late May through September, with the day use area and boat launch open year-round, though winter access may be limited due to snow.
Directions
From Iron River, 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, 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.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | Yes |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $22 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | — |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| chase@wildriversrealty.com | |
| Phone | +1 (906) 358-4551 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Useful Links
| View on Recreation.gov |
Availability
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