Lake Ottawa Pavilion

Campground · Michigan · 1 bookable site ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

Ottawa National Forest (NF) · Open Access

1
Bookable site
17 ft
Max rig length
up to 43
People per site
1
Accessible site
1,570 ft
Elevation
LAKE OTTAWA PAVILION

Overview

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

The Lake Ottawa Pavilion, located within the Lake Ottawa Recreation Area, sits in a beautiful north woods setting; along the shore of Lake Ottawa. The Civilian Conservation Corps-era pavilion provides a large indoor gathering area complete with picnic tables, limited seating and a fireplace.

Recreation

Lake Ottawa is a clear lake with a natural sandy bottom, providing excellent swimming opportunities. Just a short walk from the pavilion is the Lake Ottawa campground and trailhead for the Ge Che hiking trail. The Ge Che trail provides approximately nine miles of hiking opportunities; winding through the campground, day use area and surrounding northern hardwood forest. Spend the night in the Lake Ottawa campground. Choose from campsites located along the lakeshore or those nestled in a forest setting. The boat landing has ample parking and provides anglers with access to this fishery. Anglers enjoy fishing for trout, bass, walleye, and pan-fish.

Facilities

The Lake Ottawa pavilion offers an enclosed pavilion with a fireplace. Surrounding the pavilion is a very large picnic area complete with water bubblers, picnic tables and grills. The area also has a swimming beach and athletic field for family fun. Co-located within the pavilion are flush toilets and change rooms.

Natural Features

Lake Ottawa is almost completely surrounded by National Forest System land, providing a lovely view of the shoreline and forest.

Contact Info

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

Nearby Attractions

Lake Ottawa campground offers 32 campsites, paved access roads, pressurized water system, flush toilets, a trailer dump station, and a picnic shelter with two stone fireplaces and original log picnic tables which were constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the late 1930s. Each campsite has natural vegetation providing some privacy from neighboring sites. Located in the general area is Lake Ottawa, Brule Lake, Hagerman Lake, Brule River, Bass Lake, and miles of hiking trails. Lake Ottawa is a deep cold water lake that provides fishermen with a good variety of game fish. There is a boat landing with ample parking to access Lake Ottawa. The Ge Che hiking and ski trail and the Historic Mile Post Zero/Treaty Tree trail provide hiking opportunities through northern hardwood forests. The almost one million acres of the Ottawa National Forest are located in the Western Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The forest extends from the south shore of Lake Superior to the Wisconsin border. The area is rich in wildlife viewing opportunities; breathtaking views of rolling hills dotted with lakes, rivers and waterfalls; and spectacular fall colors.

Charges & Cancellations

Cancellations

  • If you cancel reservation at least 14 days prior to check in date, all recreation fees, minus a $10 cancellation fee and the reservation fee ($8 if made online or $9 if made through the call center) will be refunded.
  • If you cancel reservation less than 14 days prior to check in date, you forfeit the entire total paid. 

No Show

Staff will hold facility until check-in time on the arrival date.

For more information about rules and reservation policies, visit the Recreaiton.gov Rules and Reservations Policy page.   

The facts

  • 1 bookable site
  • 1 site for day use only
  • 1 accessible site
  • Vehicles up to 17 ft
  • Up to 43 people per site
  • Loops: Southern Loop

Site types

  • 1 Group Shelter Electric

Amenities

  • Shade
  • Pets allowed
  • Campfires allowed — not available

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, fire pits, picnic tables, grills.

Book on Recreation.gov

1 campsite at Lake Ottawa Pavilion

Check-in 6:00 AM · Check-out 10:00 PM

SiteLoopTypeEntrySurfaceGradeWaterMax rigPeople
Lake Ottawa PavilionSouthern LoopGroup Shelter ElectricPull ThroughPavedModerateLakefront17 ft43♿ 🐾

Getting there

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.

46.07680, -88.76492 · 46°4'36.5"N 88°45'53.7"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 77°F in Jul, down to 21°F in Jan.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F212637506473777567533826
Low °F00924374750484131219
Precip in1.11.01.52.53.24.04.23.13.53.31.81.5

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 6.7 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Fees and stay limits

Recreation Fee $100.00 per day  Reservation Fee $8.00 per reservation if made on-line $9.00 per reservation if made through the call center The reservation fee is non-refundable. 

From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.

More photos

Member photos

Common questions about Lake Ottawa Pavilion

Can you reserve a site at Lake Ottawa Pavilion?
Yes, Lake Ottawa Pavilion is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Lake Ottawa Pavilion have?
1 site.
What is the maximum RV length at Lake Ottawa Pavilion?
17 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Lake Ottawa Pavilion?
Yes, pets are allowed at Lake Ottawa Pavilion.
Are campfires allowed at Lake Ottawa Pavilion?
Campfires are not allowed at Lake Ottawa Pavilion.

Camping near Lake Ottawa Pavilion

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.