The park features a popular campground with 126 tent and RV sites ($17 to $39), 6 miles of hiking trails with birds flitting by and a secluded, sandy beach on the island's north side. It's a favorite of families, especially the beach and its shallow water.
Kelleys Islands State Park
Ohio
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
9.35 MILES
Cedar Point is one of the world's top amusement parks, known for its 18 adrenaline-pumping roller coasters. Stomach-droppers include the Top Thrill…
24.12 MILES
About 13km southeast of Leamington, this well-loved national park features nature trails, a marsh boardwalk, lookout towers, forests and lovely sandy…
Fish Point Provincial Nature Reserve
8.16 MILES
This long sandy spit is the southernmost point of inhabited Canada (there are some tiny rock islands – like humps of whales skimming the water – just to…
Perry's Victory & International Peace Memorial
6.08 MILES
The 352ft Doric column is a singular attraction. Take the elevator to the observation deck for views of Lake Erie, the islands and, on a good day, Canada.
11.09 MILES
So many painted ponies! And painted tigers, ostriches, elephants, wolves and more. Ride the vintage carousel that is the museum’s centerpiece, but also…
10.3 MILES
Near West Dock, the small Pelee Island Heritage Centre has one of the best natural history collections in Ontario. Engrossing displays cover early…
22.34 MILES
The small brick home where Thomas Edison was born in 1847 has been restored and is now a small museum demonstrating his inventions, such as the light bulb…
0.13 MILES
The deep scars in the limestone here – which a glacier rubbed in some 18,000 years ago – are the largest and most easily accessible grooves in the world…
Nearby Ohio attractions
0.13 MILES
The deep scars in the limestone here – which a glacier rubbed in some 18,000 years ago – are the largest and most easily accessible grooves in the world…
2. Inscription Rock Petroglyphs
1.5 MILES
Native Americans who used the island as a hunting ground carved symbols into this boulder on the island's south shore sometime between AD 1200 and 1600…
3. Perry's Victory & International Peace Memorial
6.08 MILES
The 352ft Doric column is a singular attraction. Take the elevator to the observation deck for views of Lake Erie, the islands and, on a good day, Canada.
6.67 MILES
The little island, named for its resemblance to the Rock of Gibraltar, was once owned by banker Jay Cooke, who built a 15-room, gothic-looking castle on…
6.94 MILES
Ohio State University operates this educational facility, where displays teach about Lake Erie’s ecosystem and its fish, snakes, bugs and other critters…
6. South Bass Island State Park
6.96 MILES
Set on top of white cliffs on the island's southwest side, the park moseys down to a fishing pier, small rocky beach and a vendor offering jet-ski and…
7. Fish Point Provincial Nature Reserve
8.16 MILES
This long sandy spit is the southernmost point of inhabited Canada (there are some tiny rock islands – like humps of whales skimming the water – just to…
9.35 MILES
Cedar Point is one of the world's top amusement parks, known for its 18 adrenaline-pumping roller coasters. Stomach-droppers include the Top Thrill…