South Bass Island State Park
daveynin / CC BY 2.0 / Flickr
Located on the western side of South Bass Island, the state park offers 10 full-service campsites, 125 primitive sites, and four “cabinets,” a cross between a cabin and a tent. Facilities include picnic tables, a picnic shelter, a boat launch, a fishing pier, and a small stone beach. You can also rent golf carts at the park to help you get downtown and around the island.
Lake Erie State Park Trail Map
Description:
High bluffs overlooking Lake Erie provide a breathtaking view for the visitor to Lake Erie State Park. Lake Erie features a shoreline covering over three quarters of a mile bordering the shallowest of the Great Lakes. Whether camping in one of the 97 campsites or one of the 10 cabins offered at this park, the magnificent scenery will capture your attention. Day users can enjoy the picnic areas with shelters, playgrounds and hiking trails that are available to the cross-country skiers during the winter months. Lake Erie State Park is recognized as an excellent place for locating rare migratory birds following the lakes edge.See more at:
Price: Free
Where To Go Camping Near Lake Erie
The Lake Erie Islands, Kelleys, Middle Bass, and South Bass islands are Ohio’s summer vacation playground. If you’ve been to the area before, you know that cabins can fill up quickly and hotels can get expensive. One good alternative is reserving a space at one of the area’s campgrounds. The Ohio state park system operates campgrounds on all three islands. In addition, there are campgrounds near the ferry ports in and around Sandusky.
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Middle Bass Island State Park Campground
Recently, the State of Ohio has upgraded the grounds and marina at MBI State Park. Here, there are 20 non-electric sites. Also, a shower house is available and pit toilet.
Camping on the Lake Erie Islands: Its In Tents!
While camping is a great way to connect with nature, it truly is not for everyone. If you would prefer something a bit more permanent and dry, please check out our lodging options.
Fox’s Den Campground On South Bass Island

Located near the airport and the Miller’s Ferry Landing on the south side of South Bass Island, Fox’s Den Campground offers both full-service and primitive campsites. Facilities include a modern shower house. You can also rent golf carts at this site for the short ride to Put-in-Bay and the restaurants, attractions, and shopping there.
This small, family-owned facility is open from early May through mid-October. Sites are available for one night, one week, or the entire season.
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Sandusky Koa Holiday Campground
One of the oldest and still one of the best campgrounds in the Lake Erie Island/Sandusky area, The Sandusky KOA Holiday Campground has welcomed campers for more than 40 years. Located right on Sandusky Bay, this campground is open from May 1 to the end of October each year.
Campsites include tent sites, RV sites, and even a few cabins. You can rent the sites for a day, week or the entire season. Amenities at KOA include a new pool area, a full basketball court, volleyball and horseshoe courts, a breakfast bar and snack shop, a swimming pool, and a fishing pier. Wi-Fi is available throughout the property.
Top 10 Campgrounds And Rv Parkserie Pennsylvania
Check out excellent rates for RVs and parks all within the beautiful Erie, Pennsylvania area. The best way to get the most out of your vacation is to go camping, and theres plenty to do when you visit Erie campgrounds as well as the surrounding area in your rental RV. For those who want to explore, you can navigate the Presque Isle State Park. This park is a beautiful peninsula with sandy beaches and gorgeous nature trails with breathtaking scenery.
If you just so happen to have children or young adults who love thrills, consider spending a day at Waldameer Park & Water World, which doubles as an amusement park and a water park. Regardless of your definition of fun, Erie, Pennsylvania, has something to offer.
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Amazing Places To Go Camping Near Cleveland
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- Post last modified:May 28, 2021
With warmer days approaching, its time to pack up your tent, lace up those hiking boots, and find the best places to go camping near Cleveland!
There are few things as simple and blissful as camping in the great outdoors. The smell of a log slowly crackling in the fire as the smoke rises, the sounds of crickets and tree frogs singing in the night, and the time spent with family or friends as you share stories while seated around the camp is a great way to spend a weekend.
As someone who grew up camping, I can say it is the perfect summertime activity. So, whether you are planning a fun weekend with friends or want to go camping with kids, these are the top campgrounds near Cleveland, Ohio!
Heres a look at all the campsites included in this post:
Ottawa Overlook Backcountry Site
Buckeye Trail, Brecksville Reservation, Brecksville
As strange as it seems, Cuyahoga Valley National Park doesnt have any actual campgrounds. The only place to really camp inside of Cuyahoga Valley National Park is at the Ottawa Overlook Backcountry Site.
Run by Brecksville Reservation and located off of the Buckeye Trail, there are 3 tent sites here that can accommodate 4 people each.
Both potable water and the bathroom is located about a quarter mile from the campsite at Ottawa Point Picnic Area.
At these particular sites, 1 night is the maximum stay and you may set up your tent after 3 pm. It must be taken down by noon the following day. No alcohol or fires are permitted here, either.
You also need a permit to reserve a backcountry site here. It is free, but required you can get one here from Memorial Day until the last weekend of September. Youll also need to obtain an overnight parking permit if you are parking overnight. You can park at the Brecksville Nature Center parking lot or the Plateau Picnic Area.
This isnt exactly your typical campground situation that many national parks offer, but it is a great option for thru-hikers on the Buckeye Trail or people who would like to have an overnight backpacking trip.
Plus, it is a free camping location near Cleveland, Ohio! It is also the closest campsite to Cleveland, being only 25 minutes from downtown.
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Kelleys Island State Park
920 Division St, Kelleys Island
Next to South Bass Island, Kelleys Island is a little bit quieter and just as lovely!
This unique island in Lake Erie is a prime place to spot evidence of glaciers in Ohio with glacial grooves you can visit. There are also cliffs that offer amazing views over Lake Erie, as well as opportunities to swim, camp, hike, fish, and go boating.
There are 43 campsites at Kelleys Island State Park that are full hook up, 46 electric sites, and 43 non-electric sites. Pets are allowed on certain campsites. There are also rustic cabins and yurts. The campground also has a volleyball court, playground, shower, and toilets.
Youll love the views over Lake Erie from your tent or RV at Kelleys Island State Park!
Reservations can be made here.
From family-friendly camping to backcountry adventures, these are the places to go camping near Cleveland, Ohio!
Where would you enjoy going camping near Cleveland?
Lake Erie State Park New York
Facility DetailsSee detailsATTENTION hereSee detailsATTENTION here
Lake Erie State Park 2023 Camping Season:May 19 – October 8, 2023
Reservations must be made 1 Day ahead of arrival and can be made up to 9 Month in advance.
Reservations can be made for today and can be made up to 9 Month in advance.
Reservations must be made 14 Day ahead of arrival and can be made up to 11 Month in advance.
Reservations must be made 14 Day ahead of arrival and can be made up to 11 Month in advance.
General Park Information:
CABINS
CAMPSITES
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Virginias Beach Lakefront Cabins & Camping
Image Source:https://virginiasbeach.com/se…
Providing a quiet location for campers, Virginias Beach is perfect for those who want to spend quality time with their loved ones. Situated right on the Lake Erie beach, this campground is romantic and serene. Whether you want to fish or rent a kayak and enjoy the lake, youre sure to love spending time here.
West Branch State Park

5570 Esworthy Rd, Ravenna
Hiking, swimming, boating, and camping are some popular activities in West Branch State Park. This place is also very pet friendly, with a dog park that features a swimming pond!
Explore with friends or family while hiking on the 14 miles of trails and even spot the Buckeye Trail! The 700-foot sandy beach along the Michael J. Kirwan Reservoir is a great way to relax, too.
The campground includes over 200 campsites including those with full hook up , 50-amp electric sites, one non-electric site, laundry, toilets, showers, and a dump station. There is also a camp store that sells supplies and firewood and rents out games and sporting equipment.
They also offer three group camping sites as well as primitive bridle camping sites.
West Branch State Park is a lovely northeast Ohio campground that is only about an hour from downtown Cleveland!
Reservations can be made here.
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East Harbor State Park
1169 N Buck Rd, Lakeside Marblehead
There are certainly a lot of campgrounds along Lake Erie and this state park is another great option.
Enjoy the shores of Lake Erie at East Harbor State Park, located about an hour and 15 minutes from downtown Cleveland in Marblehead.
This place features a 1,500-foot sandy beach, nature center, and disc golf course. There are also opportunities for horseback riding, great wildlife watching, boating, fishing, hiking, and picnicking. This campground is also great for kids, and is very pet-friendly it even has a dog-friendly beach!
The campground here is actually the largest in Ohios State park system! There are 354 electric sites, 51 full hook up sites, 168 non-electric sites, showers, toilets, a water station, a dump station, free WiFI, and a seasonal camp store available here. So whether you want to rough it in tents or stay in a nice RV camper, this is a great spot.
There is also a yurt, a couple of cabins, and group camping available.
Reservations can be made here.
Middle Bass Island State Park
Newer and quieter than the other two state park campgrounds, Middle Bass Island is located at the island’s south end, just a short boat ride away from the action at Put-in-Bay. The campground offers both primitive campsites and overnight boat slips. Facilities include a 190-slip marina, a miniature golf course, picnic tables, a boat launch, and a small beach.
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Lake Erie State Park Brocton New York
Lake Erie State Park is small park on top of large bluffs that over Lake Erie. The view from the top is exquisite and really something to behold This park is a little bit out there but it is more than worth the drive. We visited in early spring and found the park completely deserted. It was so peaceful to have the place all to ourselves.
East Harbor State Park Campground
Reservations are required for all sites and may be made six months in advance online or by calling 644-6727.
The family campground at East Harbor is the largest in the Ohio State Park system. It is conveniently located a short drive or bike ride from a family-friendly swimming beach on Lake Erie. Pets are permitted on all sites.
- Showers, flush toilets, water station and dump station
- Launch ramp and fish cleaning building for use by campers
- Free WiFi access is available for registered campers
- Seasonal Camp Store offers camping supplies , ice cream.
- Campers may rent bikes or borrow games and sporting equipment at the Camp Store.
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Camping On The Island
Campgrounds on Put-in-Bay
Planning a camping trip to Put-in-Bay is easy. First, head to one of the Put-in-Bay Ferry Boats. Both leave from Port Clinton heading across Lake Erie to South Bass. More importantly, the Miller Ferry is located closer to the park and offers vehicle transport.
Guests can choose to reserve a site online. Otherwise, sites are on a first come, first serve basis. Still, the summer tourist season is very busy, so advance reservations are highly recommended. Also, make sure to get a Put-in-Bay Taxi phone number ahead of time, as the State Park is over a mile from the downtown strip.