Explore Marblehead, Catawba Island, & the Erie Islands

This state park is located on a peninsula stretching into Lake Erie, is one of northern Ohio's most popular vacation spots, offering extensive opportunities for outdoor recreation and wildlife viewing. The park encompasses 1,831 acres of diverse habitats, including sandy beaches, sheltered bays, marshes, and swamp forests, which are remnants of the Great Black Swamp.  It houses the largest campground in the Ohio State Park system.

Located at the tip of the Marblehead Peninsula, this is the oldest lighthouse in continuous operation on the American side of the Great Lakes. First lit in 1822, the 65-foot tower was constructed of native limestone to guide sailors along Lake Erie's rocky shores. Visitors to the 9-acre Marblehead Lighthouse State Park  can enjoy: tower tours from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Visitors can climb the 77 steps of the winding staircase to the top for panoramic views of Lake Erie, Kelleys Island, and Cedar Point. Tours typically run daily from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM for a small fee. The park grounds are open year-round from 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM, offering scenic spots for picnicking, fishing off the rocks, and photography.

This state park is located on the western end of the Marblehead Peninsula, is a 10-acre day-use park that serves as a primary "gateway" to the Lake Erie Islands. Originally established as a state reserve in 1938 before joining the state park system in the early 1950s, the site is now a popular hub for water-based recreation. It features four public concrete launch ramps for powerboats and a cobblestone beach area specifically designed for launching kayaks and canoes into the Lake Erie Water Trail. A dedicated pier provides anglers access to the western basin, which is renowned for walleye, yellow perch, and smallmouth bass.

Port Clinton, Ohio is famously known as the "Walleye Capital of the World," and serves as the primary mainland gateway to the Lake Erie Islands. Located at the mouth of the Portage River, this city of roughly 6,000 residents is a hub for world-class sport fishing and recreational boating

Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial adorns the northern landscape of of South Bass Island. It offers a historical perspective on Commander Oliver Hazard Perry and his victory there during the War of 1812. Put In Bay is located on South Bass Island and accessible by ferry. The 'Key West of the North' offers vibrant bars and restaurants all walkable within downtown.

Spanning 2800 acres, Kelley's Island is the largest island on the American shores of Lake Erie. It's listed on the National Register of Historic Places because of it's unique glacier grooves and rock inscriptions. Ferries arrive hourly during season and there's plenty of bike and golf cart rentals to help you expore the island.