Lake Ottawa Pavilion
Closed for the 2026 season due to rehabilitation work needed to the interior and exterior of the building.
Special Weather Statement issued May 22 at 3:49AM EDT by NWS Marquette MI
Gusty southeast winds as high as 20 to locally 25 mph, combined with dry conditions will lead to elevated wildfire potential this afternoon across most of Upper Michigan away from the shorelines of the Great Lakes. Avoid outdoor burning today. Immediately report any wildfires to local emergency services by calling 911. Burn restrictions remain in effect. For complete details, visit www.dnr.state.mi.us/burnpermits, or by calling 866-922-2876.
About
The Lake Ottawa Pavilion sits in a beautiful north woods setting along the shore of Lake Ottawa within the Ottawa National Forest. Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the late 1930s, this historic pavilion provides a large indoor gathering area complete with picnic tables, limited seating, and a fireplace. The facility includes co-located flush toilets and change rooms. Surrounding the pavilion is a large outdoor picnic area with water bubblers, picnic tables, grills, a sandy swimming beach, and an athletic field. Lake Ottawa is a clear, deep cold-water lake with a natural sandy bottom, almost completely surrounded by National Forest System land. The pavilion is just a short walk from the Lake Ottawa campground and the trailhead for the Ge Che hiking trail, which provides approximately nine miles of hiking opportunities through the campground, day-use area, and surrounding northern hardwood forest. The boat landing offers ample parking and provides anglers access to fish for trout, bass, walleye, and pan-fish. This day-use area is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily and is available for group reservations.
Directions
From Iron River, Michigan, travel west on US Highway 2 to M 73. Turn left (south) on M 73 and travel approximately 3/4 mile to Lake Ottawa Road. Turn right (west) on Lake Ottawa Road and travel approximately 4 miles to the Lake Ottawa Recreation Area. Follow the signs to the day use area.
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $100 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | — |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| mdsimpson@fs.fed.us | |
| Phone | +1 (906) 358-4724 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
Photos
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