The natural beauty and resources of the Lake Erie Islands Region offer something for everyone!

Ottawa County and the Lake Erie Islands Region proudly boast over 107 miles of shoreline - the most public lake access anywhere in Ohio! With so much shoreline, there is plenty of public access for fishing, swimming and just enjoying the waters of Lake Erie, Sandusky Bay, rivers and streams. We've got sandy  beaches, pebble beaches, and beaches made up of smooth lake stones.  Miles of hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing trails may be found at some of the state parks.  The natural beauty of the area combined with the recreational opportunities of Lake Erie make this one of the prime camping spots in Ohio.  The glaciers which once scoured this region have left their mark with glacial grooves and fossils embedded in the limestone along the shoreline.

Click on the "More Information" link below for a complete list of Beaches and Parks.

Catawba Island State Park, 4049 E. Moore's Dock Rd., Port Clinton, 419-797-4530. This waterfront state park has ice fishing access, launch ramps, flush toilets, a picnic shelter, fishing pier and ice skating.  Website

Crane Creek State Park, 13531 W, St. Rt. 2, Oak Harbor,  419-836-7305. With its sandy beach and picnic areas, this beach area shares parking with the Magee Marsh Wildlife Area Boardwalk Trail.  Website

DeRivera Park, downtown Put-in-Bay. Located in downtown with a spectacular view of the hrabor and boating activity, this day-use park has shower and restroom facilities, play areas for kids, and picnic areas.

East Harbor State Park, 1169 North Buck Rd., Marblehead, 419-734-4424, Reservations: 1-866-664-6727. Seven miles of sandy beaches, picnic shelters, hiking trails, fishing access, boardwalk trail, full-service marina, and the largest campground in the Ohio State Parks system.  Website

Kelleys Island State Park, Kelleys Island, 419-797-4530, 419-746-2546, Reservations: 1-866-664-6727. 100-foot swimming beach, picnic shelter, launch ramps, fishing access areas and a family campground with showers, flush toilets, and a dump station. Six miles of hiking trails and naturalist programs also.  Website

Lakeview Park, Perry St. (Route 163), Port Clinton. Picturesque park located across the street from Port Clinton City Beach. Huge trees provide shade for picnics and grassy play areas. This large park offers picnic tables & grills, playground equipment, basketball courts, & restroom facilities. 

Marblehead Lighthouse State Park, 110 Lighthouse Dr (off St. Rt. 163) Marblehead, 419-734-4424. Tour the oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the Great Lakes. Open for tours May 30 - Septmeber 1, Mon - Fri from 1 - 4:45.  Also open the second Saturday May through October from 10 - 3 p.m.  Website 

Memorial Park, Rice and Clinton Sts., Elmore. Scenic riverfront park offering river access and benches for relaxing and enjoying beauty of the area.

Middle Bass Island State Park, Middle Bass Island, 419-797-4530. The newest addition to Ohio's state park system and still under develpment. Presently offering a marina with overnight dockage, picnic area, and limited hiking trails. Visit the website for development progress reports.  Website

Oak Point State Park on South Bass Island, Put-in-Bay, 419-797-4530,    419-285-2112. Located on the northwest tip of South Bass Island, this day-use park offers a scenic picnic area, ice skating, fishing access, and overnight docking.  Website

Port Clinton Beach, Perry St. (Route 163), Port Clinton. This sandy beach has a large shallow area and is across the street from Lakeview Park with its picnic area and concession stand.

River Bend Park, Rice St., Elmore. This day-use park offers a playground, picnic area and grills.

Schedel Arboretum & Gardens, 19255 W. Portage River South Rd., Elmore, 419-862-3182. Over 17 acres of meticulous grounds set in tranquility, holding approximately 20,000 annuals plus perennial and special garden displays, including Japanese, water, rose, and annual garden scultpture exhibits and more. Group tours available. Open May through October.  Website

South Bass Island State Park, Put-in-Bay, 419-797-4530, 419-285-2112, Reservations: 1-866-644-6727. This site features a picnic shelter, launch ramp, fishing pier, stone beach, and a family campground with electric and non-electric sites, flush restrooms and shower facilities. Also, ice skating, ice fishing,  cabents (a combination of cabins & tents), picnic shelter, launch ramp, and fishing pier.  Website

Veterans Memorial Park, 605 Washington St., Genoa, 419-855-7791. This day-use park offers in-line skating, swimming, tennis, trails, picnic area and a playground.

Waterworks Park, Perry St. (Route 163), Port Clinton. Enjoy picnics under large shade trees, fishing in the Derby Pond or a stroll on the multipurpose trail that runs through the park and along the lakeshore. This park has a playground, skateboard park, ballfield & sand-volleyball courts.