Ortona Locks North Day Use Area Public Boat Ramp

Ortona Locks North Day Use Area provides public boat ramp access to the Caloosahatchee Canal near Moore Haven in Glades County. This facility serves paddlers, anglers, and motorboaters accessing the Okeechobee Waterway system, which connects Lake Okeechobee to both coasts via the Caloosahatchee River (west) and St. Lucie Canal (east). The waterway is a managed navigation corridor operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, featuring the Moore Haven Lock & Dam nearby.

Boaters should be aware that the Caloosahatchee Canal system accommodates vessels up to 250 feet long and 50 feet wide, though water depths can be as shallow as 10 feet in some sections, including near the locks. Kayakers and canoeists will find this a suitable access point for exploring the canal, though you'll be sharing the waterway with larger commercial and recreational vessels. The area is popular for fishing and water sports and offers day-use facilities. Check with local authorities or the South Florida Water Management District for current lock operating hours and any seasonal water level conditions before your visit.