Shores & Islands Ohio

Kelleys Island State Park campground office and welcome center.

The 677-acre Kelleys Island State Park is located on the northern shores of Kelleys Island, known as Lake Erie’s Emerald Isle. Renowned for its unique geological, ecological and archaeological features, the 2,800-acre island is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and a relaxing retreat for vacationers.

KI State Park Office

Duff Homestead and Bayfront Preserve Pollinator Field

Duff Homestead & Bayfront Preserve

Driftwood Farm is a serene escape nestled along the shores of Sandusky Bay, where visitors can unwind and immerse themselves in the beauty of nature. 

Driftwood Farm

Gibraltar Island is a 6.5-acre dolomitic limestone island in Lake Erie, Ohio in Put-in-Bay township, named for its resemblance to the Rock of Gibraltar in the Mediterranean Sea. It was once a lookout point for Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry in the fight against the British during the War of 1812. Perry and his men defeated a fleet of British sailing vessels during the famous Battle of Lake Erie on September 10, 1813. Gibraltar Island was sold to Julius Stone in 1925 by Laura Barney, daughter of Civil War financier Jay Cooke. Julius immediately deeded the property to the Ohio State University for the purpose of conduct research and educational activities about Lake Erie. The OSU Board of Trustees moved OSU’s Lake Laboratory to Gibraltar Island and renamed the lab for Julius Stone’s father – Franz Theodore Stone. Stone Lab has been in operation since June 22, 1929 making it the oldest biological field station in the U.S.

Stone Lab's Gibraltar Island

The Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums is located at Spiegel Grove, the wooded estate of 19th U. S. President Rutherford B. Hayes and his wife, Lucy, in Fremont, Ohio. The 25-acre estate is also an accredited arboretum with an estimated 1,700 trees. The site comprises the couple’s Victorian mansion, two-level museum, America’s first presidential library, the couple’s tomb, original White House gates at the pedestrian entrances and a mile of paved walking trails. Open year-round. Special events are offered throughout the year. For details, visit rbhayes.org

Spiegel Grove

The majority of Wyandot’s acres have been reclaimed from row-crop farmland to native prairie meadow vegetation. The northern portion of the property includes a narrow strip of woods. The observation deck in the northeast portion of the park is perfect for observing waterfowl and birds of prey. In 2012, 74 acres of marsh and wetlands called the Barnes Addition were added to Wyandot Wetland Meadows Preserve. This addition is part of a three-mile continuous stretch of coastal wetlands bordering the bay.

Barnes Addition Deck

Picnic tables, shelter(s), grills, play area, restroom, waterfront, fishing available, dog-friendly, and wheelchair accessible.

Shoreline Park Bridge

With approximately 1300 acres of sandstone cliffs, wetlands, woodlands, and meadows, Edison Woods is home to a variety of seasonal wild flowers, rare plants, amphibians and reptiles. Edison Woods MetroPark includes approximately 550 acres of wetland habitats and 400 acres of restored native grasslands. Features include ~6 miles of wooded & prairie trails, the Adventure Walkway boardwalk and Geocaching.

Edison Woods Big Meadow Trail

The State Park Beach is a popular swimming spot on Kelleys Island. The soft sand extends over 100 feet into the lake, giving swimmers plenty of room to wade into the refreshing waters of Lake Erie.

The beach is located at the intersection of Division Street and Titus Road, only a mile and a half north of downtown, and right across the street from the Glacial Grooves. 

The beach is also accessible from the State Park Campground. The State Park fishing pier, public boat ramp, and the entrance to the North Shore Loop Trail are all nearby as well. A small parking lot provides easy access to the restrooms and changing rooms, and Kayak Rentals are available during the summer season

State Park Sand Beach

The Scheeff East Point Preserve provides important habitat for migratory birds, the federally threatened Lake Erie watersnake, and shoreline vegetation as well as a stop on the Lake Erie Islands Water Trail and a spot for shoreline fishing. The Preserve owned by the Put-in-Bay Township Park District has experienced erosion with the recent high-water levels of Lake Erie. Seiche events are noted by the ever-changing water levels at this beautiful preserve-help us document these changing shoreline conditions. 

Scheeff East Point Preserve

Largest Glacial Grooves in the world.  Cut by flowing water more than 12,000 years ago under a glacier that was a mile thick.

Glacial Grooves

The Schedel Arboretum and Gardens is a 17 acre garden estate.  A nature experience unlike any other in Northwest Ohio.  Each year the beauty and serenity of this treasure brings thousands to the estate on the banks of the Portage River in Elmore, Ohio.  Since 1991 the SA&G has proved to be an extraordinary experience for young and old alike. 

Schedel Arboretum & Gardens

This field is part of an 18 acre habitat restoration project to help pollenating insects, birds, mammals and reptiles.  All plants have been documented on the island.  Most of the funding was provided by island residents and other partners concerned about habitat lose or degradation.

Pollinator Field - KI Airport

South Bass Island Light is a Queen Anne-style lighthouse on the southern end of its eponymous island in Lake Erie. Once supplied with a 4th-order Fresnel lens that used burning oil to light the sky, the lighthouse was built in 1897 and was custom made with the light tower constructed into the frame of the house. The Ohio State University, the only university to own a lighthouse, purchased the building in 1967. Today, it is managed by Stone Laboratory and the Ohio Sea Grant College Program at OSU. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on April 5, 1990. To the west of the lighthouse is Green Island, which once had a light tower and was also operated by the light keepers of the South Bass Island lighthouse. Light towers were built on the Lake Erie islands to prevent shipwrecks from occurring during poor weather conditions. 

South Bass Island Lighthouse

Take a break from the everyday and explore Seneca Caverns with a one-hour guided tour. You’ll walk through natural stone steps and pathways, learn a bit about the cave’s history and geology, and see the quiet beauty of Ole Mist’ry River.

Above ground, try gemstone panning at our sluice—it’s a fun hands-on activity for all ages. And before you head out, check out Hollowrock Gift Shop to pick up a souvenir that captures the spirit of your visit.

Whether you’re looking for something educational, relaxing, or just a little different, Seneca Caverns offers a peaceful escape and a glimpse into what lies beneath.