The Lake Erie Islands region packs dozens of campgrounds into a few miles of shoreline, from full-hookup RV resorts to cliff-top state park sites on the islands themselves.
Reservation window trap: Ohio State Parks open reservations exactly six months ahead. South Bass Island and Kelleys Island state-park sites sell out the day the window opens for peak summer weekends. Set a calendar reminder; if you miss the window, private campgrounds on Catawba and Marblehead are your backup.
July 2026 heads-up: a record overnight storm dropped a foot-plus of rain on the Lake Erie islands in early July, flooding roads on Kelleys Island and washing out stretches of shoreline. Cleanup is underway; if you are booked at the Kelleys Island State Park campground soon, confirm site and beach conditions with ReserveOhio before you pack the car.
Wake up on the water: state-park campgrounds on the islands and the Marblehead peninsula are the region's hardest-to-get sites.
State parks (book early)
East Harbor State Park
Marblehead
The big one: 500+ sites, beach, trails, marina access
South Bass Island State Park
Put-in-Bay
Cliff-top sites on the island itself; the hardest reservation in the region
Kelleys Island State Park
Kelleys Island
Beachfront campground steps from the Glacial Grooves
Port Clinton & Catawba
Cedarlane Campground
2926 NE Catawba Rd
Close to the Miller Ferry dock
Erie Island Resort & Marina
W. Darr-Hopfinger Rd
Camping with dockage
Sleepy Hollow Campground
2817 E. Harbor Rd
Family campground on the harbor road
Shade Acres
NW Catawba Rd
Longtime Catawba family spot
Marblehead & Lakeside
Marina del Isle
6801 E. Harbor Rd
Camping and full marina
Peninsula RV Park
6930 E. Harbor Rd
RV-focused park near East Harbor
Camp Runinmuck / Castaway Harbor
E. Bayshore Rd
Bayshore camping with launch access
On the islands
Fox's Den Campground
Put-in-Bay
The private-campground alternative on South Bass
St. Hazards
Middle Bass Island
Resort camping with a beach bar
North Bass Island State Park
North Bass (Isle St. George)
Ohio's most remote island park; newly renovated historic homes now bookable through ReserveOhio, a getaway with a story
State park sites (East Harbor, South Bass, Kelleys) book through ReserveOhio (reserveohio.com or 866-644-6727); nightly rates run roughly $31 for a non-electric site up to $90–120 for full-hookup, with yurts and cabins at Kelleys and East Harbor. Summer weekends open and sell out months ahead. Private parks are more flexible; call ahead in July and August.
Yes. South Bass Island State Park has cliff-top sites at Put-in-Bay, and Kelleys Island State Park has a beachfront campground of roughly 130 sites (plus yurts and full-hookup options) steps from the Glacial Grooves. Both are among the most sought-after reservations in Ohio and open months ahead for summer weekends.
How far in advance do I need to reserve a state-park campsite?
For summer weekends, book the day the reservation window opens; the island and East Harbor state-park sites sell out months out. Ohio State Parks take reservations up to six months ahead. Private campgrounds are far more flexible, but still call ahead in July and August.
Which campground is best for RVs?
East Harbor State Park near Marblehead is the big one, with 500-plus sites, a beach, trails and marina access. On the private side, Peninsula RV Park, Cedarlane and Marina del Isle cater to RVs with full hookups and are close to the ferry docks.
Can I camp and still do a Put-in-Bay day trip?
That is the classic move: base at a mainland campground like East Harbor or Cedarlane, drive to the Catawba or Port Clinton dock, and walk onto a ferry for the day. You get island time without island lodging prices.
