Kelleys Island State Park
RV Guide
Introduction
You can access Kelleys Island exclusively through ferry service from Marblehead, Ohio, making it a unique RV adventure that combines road and water travel. The Kelleys Island Ferry Boat Line provides the only daily vehicle and passenger service, operating year-round with weather-dependent schedules. From November to early April, ferry service may be limited due to ice conditions on Lake Erie, so winter visitors should confirm availability before traveling.
Where Are the Best Gateway Cities for RV Rentals?
Northwest Ohio Gateway Access: Toledo RV rentals position you perfectly for Kelleys Island access, just one hour from the Marblehead ferry terminal. This location provides excellent access to Maumee Bay State Park and other Lake Erie attractions, making it ideal for multi-destination Great Lakes adventures.
Northeast Ohio Access: Cleveland RV rentals offer premium access to Kelleys Island while providing opportunities to explore Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Lake Erie's eastern shores. This gateway serves as an excellent base for extended Ohio adventures, combining urban attractions with natural island retreats.
Ferry Transportation
The Kelleys Island Ferry operates year-round from Marblehead's Seaway Marina Port, providing a scenic 20-minute journey across Lake Erie. Ferries can accommodate RVs, travel trailers, and all vehicle types, with advance planning recommended during peak season. Round-trip costs vary by vehicle size and season, with current pricing available through the ferry operator.
RV Rentals in Kelleys Island State Park
Transportation
Driving
Kelleys Island State Park offers exceptional RV camping with 129 sites across Lake Erie's largest American island, featuring unique glacial grooves, excellent walleye fishing, and year-round outdoor adventures. Ferry access from Marblehead provides RVers with 36 full hookup sites, 48 electric sites, and exclusive amenities like yurts and a sandy swimming beach on this 2,800-acre natural wonderland. Strategic locations like Toledo RV rentals and Cleveland camper van options offer prime mainland access to reach Ohio's premier island camping destination, just 20 minutes by ferry from the mainland.
What Makes Kelleys Island State Park the Ultimate RV Destination?
Surrounded by the pristine waters of Lake Erie, Kelleys Island State Park captures the tranquil beauty and geological wonder of Ohio's island paradise. Famous for being Lake Erie's largest American island, this unique destination sprawls across 2,800 acres of state parks and nature preserves. Kelleys Island is the ultimate RV adventure since it's home to some of the most famous natural wonders like the world's largest accessible Glacial Grooves, spectacular limestone formations carved 18,000 years ago, and the historic Inscription Rock featuring ancient Native American petroglyphs.
You'll discover a world of limitless adventure during your RV trip to Kelleys Island, from hiking and biking to kayaking and world-class fishing. You can cast your line in Lake Erie's renowned walleye waters or relax on the 100-foot sandy swimming beach. There's no shortage of great spots for photography and wildlife viewing, like the North Shore Loop Trail or East Quarry Trail. You can even explore magical limestone quarries and fossil-rich areas that showcase millions of years of geological history. Bring your binoculars because you'll encounter migrating songbirds, waterfowl, and possibly bald eagles soaring overhead.
The summer season is peak time for RVers and other visitors since temperatures typically reach a pleasant 70 to 80 degrees. Late spring and early fall offer mild weather with fewer crowds and excellent bird migration viewing. In the colder months, Kelleys Island State Park becomes a peaceful winter retreat. While ferry schedules reduce during winter months, the park remains open year-round for those seeking solitude and unique cold-weather experiences like ice fishing and cross-country skiing.
The island experienced steady visitor growth in 2024, making advance planning essential for securing ferry reservations and campground spots, especially during peak summer months and special events like the annual Kelleys Island Music Festival.
Parking
You can park your RV at designated campground sites and visitor areas throughout the island. Golf cart and bicycle rentals are popular for exploring the island's compact 3x2-mile area, though many attractions are within walking distance of the state park campground.
Public Transportation
Campgrounds and parking in Kelleys Island State Park
Campsites in Kelleys Island State Park
Reservations camping
Kelleys Island State Park Campground
The large campground at Kelleys Island State Park is home to a total of five loops that provide 125 RV sites. There are more electric sites than non-electric, with a total of 84 sites that have a 50-amp connection. Out of those 84 sites, 36 also have water and sewer connections, making them full hookup sites. The park is well equipped with useful amenities such as toilets, showers, a dump station, picnic areas, a swimming beach, and a playground.
If you want a site that has lake views, the sites on the eastern side of the campground will suit you. Pets are allowed in one specific loop only, so make sure you book one of those sites if you have a pet. Phone reception should be available for all networks in the campground, and you may also pick up some television stations. Reservations can be made up to six months in advance, and camping is open all year round. If there is ice on the lake, the ferry will not be operating, so camping in your RV at the park during winter really depends on weather conditions.
First-come first-served
Toledo East/Stony Ridge KOA
Situated near Ohio's western Lake Erie shore, Toledo East/Stony Ridge KOA features spacious pull-through sites and convenient access to the Marblehead ferry terminal. The campground's location makes it perfect for combining Kelleys Island visits with Maumee Bay State Park exploration.
Alternate camping
Yurts
If you don't feel like lugging the Airstream across the lake, you can always stay in one of the park yurts for a night or two instead. Two yurts are available year-round and offer modern conveniences like full kitchens, baths, and communal living spaces. Guests will also find a small television inside and a large wooden deck outside.
Sandusky/Bayshore KOA
Located in Ohio's "Vacationland" region, Sandusky/Bayshore KOA offers full hookup sites with pools, recreation activities, and easy access to Cedar Point and Lake Erie ferry services. This family-friendly campground provides an excellent base for multi-day Kelleys Island adventures.
Seasonal activities in Kelleys Island State Park
Off-Season
Birding
Some of the best birding in the state can be found at Kelleys Island, so don't forget to pack your binoculars along in the travel trailer when you visit the park. Two nature preserves can be found inside this island park: the North Pond and the North Shore Alvar. The North Pond is renowned for its birding opportunities, with hundreds of species of songbirds migrating through the area on their way across Lake Erie. There are also dozens of species of waterfowl, and if you're lucky, you may spot one of the bald eagles that nest in the preserve.
Hiking
Kelleys Island State Park is home to some of the best natural areas in the region, which makes it a great place to hike. There are a few different trail options in the park, but the most popular is the North Shore Loop Trail. This is an easy hiking and biking trail that is only a mile long, but it leads to the rare Alvar habitat located along the northern shore of the island. The impressive Glacial Grooves are also only a two-minute walk from the start of the North Shore Loop Trail and is definitely worth checking out.
Fishing
Known as the "Walleye Capital of the World," Lake Erie is a great spot to fish no matter the season. You have a few different fishing options in the park. In the north of the island, there is a stone pier that you can fish from along with shoreline fishing. If you really want to have a big fishing experience, there are private fishing charters that operate in the lake that depart from Marblehead. If you do land a nice catch, there is a fish cleaning house located in the RV campground that is free to registered campers. A valid Ohio fishing license is required when fishing in Kelleys Island State Park.
Wildlife Watching
Birds aren't the only wildlife you'll see during your RV vacation to Kelleys Island State Park. There are lots of reptiles and amphibians too, including the unique Lake Erie watersnake and the more common eastern box snake. Don't worry, as these two snakes are harmless. You might also catch sight of the Blanding's turtle, midland painted turtle, or a number of different types of salamanders.
There are also a few rare plant species that call the park home as well, including the endangered lakeside daisy and northern bog violet.
In-Season
Exploring Via Golf Cart
Vehicle access to the park is somewhat limited, especially if you're maneuvering a big rig, so exploring via golf cart is commonplace at Kelleys Island State Park. The roads of the park are great for driving around on a golf cart, and it can be a fun way to see more of the island then if you just explored on foot. There are numerous places that you can rent golf carts from that are located near the ferry terminal in Marblehead. If you want to rent a cart, make sure you do it before going over to the island.
Boating
Since the waters of Lake Erie surround the park, boating is also an extremely popular recreational activity. If you brought your own boat along behind the Sprinter, there is a double-lane launch ramp that is located on the island's north shore. If you don't have a boat, the sandy beach at Kelleys Island State Park is also the spot where you can rent watercraft to explore the waters of Lake Erie. Renting a kayak or paddle-board and seeing the park from the unique perspective of the lake is very popular and you can do it daily from Memorial Day through to Labor Day.
Swimming
One of the best parts about visiting a state park located by a beach, lake, or on an island is the swimming opportunities that are available during the warmer months. At Kelleys Island State Park, there is a 100-foot public swimming beach that gives you the opportunity to frolic in the waters of Lake Erie. The beach is located an easy walking distance from the campground and it is open during daylight hours. If you have pets with you, you'll need to keep them at your campsite, as they are not allowed on the beach. Restrooms and changing rooms are also available nearby.
Glacial Grooves
Located just across from the park, the Glacial Grooves are unlike any geological feature in the world. The grooves were created by slow-moving glaciers hundreds of thousands of years ago -- the same glaciers that created the Great Lakes! The grooves are now a National Natural Landmark, and people from around the globe travel to Kelleys Island to see this phenomenon. You can park the motorhome in the nearby parking lot and then meander a series of steps and footbridges to get a closer look.
For more Great Lakes island adventures, check out our South Bass Island State Park RV guide and discover Geneva State Park camping for additional Lake Erie experiences.
