East Harbor State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Situated on a peninsula that stretches into beautiful Lake Erie, East Harbor State Park is one of the most popular recreation areas in Ohio. The park is located on the outskirts of the state's prairie marsh zone and features picturesque wetlands, a peaceful swimming beach, and several lovely picnic areas. East Harbor State Park, which typically experiences mild summers and freezing winters, offers a variety of recreational opportunities, including hiking, biking, boating, fishing, wildlife viewing, and many more.
Nearby Cities:
Cleveland, OH
Akron, OH
Toledo, OH
Sandusky, OH
Spring 35-68 F
Summer 66-81 F
Fall 34-70 F
Winter 23-40 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in East Harbor State Park
Campground Accommodations
East Harbor State Park Campground
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 70'
Other amenities: Showers, restrooms, drinking water, dump station, boat launch, fish-cleaning station, camp store, firewood, picnic tables, fire rings
Fort Firelands RV Resort
This campground includes a complex that looks like an early 1800s frontier fort and encompasses a restaurant, shops, a flea market, and a stage for bands and other activities.
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: yes
Wi-Fi: n/a
Pet friendly: yes
Other amenities: showers, laundry, pool, playground, mini golf
Surf Motel & Campground
The Surf Motel & Campground is near Lake Erie, and is within biking or walking distance of the lighthouse or quaint downtown shops. The campground is just a half hour drive from Cedar Point and other Ohio attractions.
Water hookup: n/a
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: yes
Wi-Fi: yes
Pet friendly: yes
Other amenities: pool, fishing pond, playground, showers, boat parking, laundry
What to Do at
East Harbor State Park
East Harbor State Park is a wonderful destination for all sorts of recreational activities. For example, you can explore the park's extensive trail system, which offers scenic views and opportunities for hiking, biking, and even snowmobiling once winter arrives. You may also want to enjoy the park's 18-hole disc golf course, sit down for lunch with a view in one of the picnic areas, or play a game of volleyball or horseshoes. For visitors who prefer water-based fun, East Harbor State Park is an excellent place for boating on Lake Erie, swimming, or fishing. During the winter, the park is a popular spot for ice skating, ice fishing, and cross-country skiing.
Inside East Harbor State Park
There are a number of things to do at East Harbor State Park.
Boating: Lake Erie obviously offers a lot of boating options! A marina at the park allows guests to rent docks seasonally or for the day, and has fuel, a launch ramp, a mechanic, boat supplies, and a restaurant. There are also places to launch kayaks and non-motorized boats as well.
Disc golf: There’s an 18-hole course, plus one practice hole. The course is near the Lockwood Shelter House. Players need to bring their own equipment as the park does not have rental equipment. There is no fee to play.
Fishing: Lake Erie is the walleye capital of the world, and also has yellow perch, channel catfish, smallmouth, and white bass. The East and West Harbors are great places for bluegill, crappie, and carp. Anglers are required to have a valid Ohio fishing license.
Hunting: Hunting for waterfowl is allowed on the easter side of the offshore islands. A valid Ohio hunting license is required.
Swimming: The park has a 1,500-foot sand beach on Lake Erie where swimming is permitted.
Hiking: There are a number of trails through the park that total more than 10 miles. Trails are all multi-use, and allow hiking, biking, snowmobiles, and more.
Winter recreation: Park visitors can snowmobile, ice skate, ice fish, ice boat, and cross-country ski in the park during snowy months.
Fishing
With its location on the shores of Lake Erie, East Harbor State Park is one of the premier fishing destinations in Northern Ohio. The lake is primarily known for its walleye fishing, but it's also a superb place to catch largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, white bass, yellow perch, crappie, bluegill, carp, and channel catfish. Additionally, the park provides ADA fishing access and a small fishing pond stocked with trout and catfish.
Geocaching
Geocaching is a popular activity at East Harbor State Park. There are several caches to be discovered in the area, and when you find one you can take a prize and sign the logbook.
Nature Watching
Many interesting wildlife species call East Harbor State Park home. Some of the animals you may be able to observe include toads, frogs, snakes, and turtles. If you're a birdwatching enthusiast, keep an eye out for great egrets, great blue herons, swans, Canada geese, hawks, and bald eagles. The park is also home to many small mammals, such as opossums, eastern cottontails, squirrels, groundhogs, muskrats, and minks.
Stargazing
Laying out a blanket on one of the beaches at East Harbor State Park can undoubtedly make for an unforgettable stargazing experience. During the summer, the night skies above the water tend to be very clear.
Flora and Fauna
Most of East Harbor State Park is a wetland ecosystem. Some of the flora found around the park include water smartweed, American lotus, cardinal flower, and common bladderwort. Keep an eye out for swamp rose mallows, which grow along the edges of marshes and can reach up to seven feet high.
Hiking
East Harbor State Park boasts a large network of hiking trails that are perfect for exploring Ohio's outdoors. The trails take visitors through the park's different habitats and offer plenty of scenic views.
Boating
Many visitors to East Harbor State Park opt to take their boats out on Lake Erie. The park features a marina and several boat ramps, including a carry-in kayak ramp at the south beach. Both motorized and non-motorized boating are popular options at the park.
Swimming
Swimming is one of the most popular recreational activities at East Harbor State Park. The park is home to a 1,500-foot sandy beach with several designated swimming areas. It is a great place to take children because the water is shallow near the beach.
Biking
All of the trails found at East Harbor State Park are multi-use trails, meaning that you can ride them all. The Wetlands Trail heads into the interior of the park and does not have sandy sections like most of the others, so it may be a better biking experience.
How to Get to
East Harbor State Park
To reach the park from Cleveland, follow I-90 W until you reach OH-2 W. Keep right at the fork, then continue onto OH-2 W. Take exit 125A-B for OH-269 N toward Lakeside/Marblehead. Continue onto OH-269 N, then take a right onto E Harbor Rd. The entrance to East Harbor State Park will be on your left.
Entering East Harbor State Park
East Harbor State Park does not require any entry fee, and there is free parking available near the designated swimming areas.
If you're seeking adventure, East Harbor State Park has plenty to offer. You could explore the park's many nature trails, head out on Lake Erie, or observe some of the many birds and other wildlife species that inhabit the area.
Frequently Asked Questions About East Harbor State Park
Most people find the summer to be the ideal time to visit East Harbor State Park. Between June and August, the weather will be nice and warm for activities like swimming, boating, fishing, and hiking. However, the winter is also an excellent time to visit if you enjoy snowmobiling, ice skating, or ice fishing.
East Harbor State Park is home to numerous birds, reptiles, mammals, and other creatures. Some of the area's avian species include bald eagles, great blue herons, and Canada geese. During your visit, you may also spot white-tailed deer, red foxes, groundhogs, muskrats, and other small animals roaming the woodlands.
Yes, the massive campground at East Harbor State Park features 365 designated RV campsites with electrical hookups. Many of these sites also feature water and sewer hookups, and there's an RV dump station at the campground as well.
Yes, reservations are required for the campsites at East Harbor State Park. You can make a reservation online or over the phone, and there will be an $8 reservation fee.
Yes, you're welcome to bring your pets with you to East Harbor State Park, but you'll need to keep them on leashes of no longer than six feet. Additionally, all dogs visiting the part must be current on their rabies vaccines. You'll also need to clean up after your four-legged companion.