Middle Bass Island State Park RV & Campground Guide
Ohio
Located seven miles north of the mainland in Lake Erie and just over a mile south of the Canadian border, Middle Bass Island State Park is ideal for those who love taking trips on a boat and enjoying watersports such as boating, kayaking, paddleboarding, swimming, fishing, and canoeing. Middle Bass Island State Park was once home to the Lonz Winery, which at one point was the country's largest producer of wine before closing. The state of Ohio purchased the land in 2001, and after purchasing the acreage, the state renovated the winery and re-opened it to the public. You are able to visit the historic wine exhibits and open-air pavilion, but the production and purchase of wine from the winery are no longer available. The island is accessible via a ferry, so RVers planning to spend a few days in the park can load their RVs onto the ship. Outside the park, you can enjoy city life in Sandusky and Put-in-Bay, Ohio.
Spring 28-68 F
Summer 61-82 F
Fall 37-73 F
Winter 18-37 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Middle Bass Island State Park
Whether you visit the park in summer or winter, an RV gives you a comfortable home base protected from the harsh weather. No RV? Get an RV rental from RVshare, and enjoy the trip to the island and the stay at the park.
Middle Bass Island State Park Campground
Middle Bass Island State Park Campground is not RV-friendly. However, there is a lot near the marina where you can park your RV for a day at the state park. Middle Bass Island State Park Campground is an ideal location to enjoy a relaxing experience along the shores of Lake Erie. The campground is within a walking distance from the marina in the southwest part of the island. You can camp here for a multi-day fishing trip or if you are just looking to get out of your motorhome. The campground only opens between May and October. Nightly rates start at $35.
- Water hookup: No
- Electrical hookup: No
- Sewer hookup: No
- Wi-Fi: No
- Pet-friendly: Yes
- Other amenities: fire ring, picnic tables, day shelters, showers, restrooms
Fox’s Den Campground
Fox’s Den Campground is a privately owned RV campground with 60 sites and water and electric hookups. It is one of the few places that allows pets in Put-in-Bay, but you have to leash and pick after your pet. The camp provides a relaxing environment for family gatherings and picnics. You can also play golf, fish, and hike while in the campground. Hot showers, flush toilets, a swimming pool, and a laundromat are available. Fox’s Den Campground is only 1 mile from Middle Bass Island State Park. Nightly rates start at $45.
- Water hookup: Yes
- Electrical hookup: Yes
- Sewer hookup: No
- Wi-Fi: No
- Pet-friendly: Yes
- Other amenities: fire rings, camp store, dump station, fish cleaning house, grocery store, beer and wine carryout store
Cedarlane RV Resort
Cedarlane RV Resort sits 1 mile from Lake Erie in Vacationland. It is a family-oriented facility with more than 300 campsites for big-rigs and pop-ups. There are many amenities for kids and pets, including Tiki Lounges, three heated pools, store and gift shops, shower houses and restrooms, and a sprayground/water play area. You can only park one RV per site with up to six people. There are dump stations throughout the park, and you can rent a pump service at a small fee. Nightly rates start at $40.
- Water hookup: Yes
- Electrical hookup: Yes
- Sewer hookup: No
- Wi-Fi: No
- Pet-friendly: Yes
- Other amenities: laundromat, shuffleboard courts, basketball court
What to Do at
Middle Bass Island State Park
Inside Middle Bass Island State Park
Lake Erie makes Middle Bass Island State Park a relaxing destination to visit. When winter arrives, you can enjoy birding with over 100 bird species in residence and fishing with the 190-slip marina. You can also hike and bike although there are no designated trails. In summer, you can enjoy boating, picnicking, outdoor games in the cornhole and ladder ball areas, and a day at the Kuehnle Wildlife Area.
Outside Middle Bass Island State Park
Located in the western basin of Lake Erie, Middle Bass Island offers a relaxing escape far from the mainland. Put-in-Bay and Sandusky boast of numerous attractions and sightseeing areas. Water activities along the shores of Lake Erie and city life in Sandusky and Put-in-Bay Island are common outside the park. You can also take a cruise on Lake Erie and explore the beauty of the islands surrounding Middle Bass Island.
Restaurants
Pasquales Café
Pasquales Café serves American breakfast and lunch meals. On the menu are food items such as corned beef hash, lobster omelet, steak and eggs, chicken Philly, veggie panini, and other meal assortments. From the restaurant, you will enjoy views of Put-in-Bay harbor and downtown.
Type: American
Location: 240 Delaware St, Put-in-Bay, OH 43456-6624
Topsy Turvey's
Topsy Turvey's has an outside deck that gives a great view of the Put-in-Bay harbor. It serves fresh Erie perch, Cuban sandwiches, and a delicious Brandy Alexander. The restaurant also carries marine supplies, bait, tackle, snacks, beer, and wine for fishermen and visitors to Put-in-Bay.
Type: American
Location: 361 Bayview Avenue, Put-in-Bay, OH
The Keys
While at The Keys, visitors enjoy a great view of Lake Erie. The menu is rich with American and Caribbean meals such as French fries, Erie perch, strawberry slushies, and blood orange margaritas among others.
Type: American, Caribbean
Location: 227 Bay View Ave. 43456, Put-in-Bay, OH
Goat Soup and Whiskey
Goat Soup and Whiskey is a perfect place for drinks thanks to its assortment of American and international beers, wines, and other drinks. It also serves a variety of menu items such as shrimp cocktails, soups and salads, dinner sandwiches, dinner entrees, pasta entrees, and classic whiskey cocktails.
Type: American, Pub
Location: 820 Catawba Ave, Put-in-Bay, OH 43456-6558
Hooligans
Hooligans is a place for drinks with the best Irish whiskeys, beers, wines, and many more drinks. It also serves starters, such as Guinness wings; salads and soups, such as Hooligans French Onion Soup; sandwiches; a la carte sides; traditional pub grub; desserts; and large group dishes.
Type: Irish, Bar, Pub
Location: 421 Catawba Ave, Put-in-Bay, OH 43456-6536
Shopping
Middle Bass General Store
Middle Bass General Store is your one-stop shop for wine and beer, fresh coffee, gifts, hardware, groceries, lottery tickets, and meals. You can shop for clothes, jewelry, and camping supplies as you enjoy the free Wi-Fi and play at the lottery machines.
Location: 940 Fox Rd, Middle Bass, Ohio 43446
Cathy’s Wire Art Jewelry
Located on Kelley’s Island, Cathy’s Wire Art Jewelry specializes in ready-made and custom beach glass wire jewelry. You can choose from many designs and watch as the designers create your jewelry.
Location: 144 Division Street, Kelleys Island, OH 43438
Sightseeing
Cedar Point
Located in Sandusky, Cedar Point is an amusement park that gives you great views of Lake Erie. Inside the park are three hotels, a campground, and 18 roller coasters. Those looking for a thrilling experience can ride Dragster, which reaches speeds of 120 miles an hour, and the rest of your travel crew can hike along the shores of Lake Erie and enjoy great vistas and sundowners.
Location: 1 Cedar Point Dr, Sandusky, Ohio 44870
Maritime Museum of Sandusky
This Maritime Museum shows you a snapshot of the maritime activities in Sandusky, Ohio. There are interesting displays such as authentic artifacts from many a century ago, shipwrecks, and more. There are educational programs at different times of the year, so you should check the calendar before visiting.
Location: 125 Meigs St, Sandusky, Ohio 44870
Pickerel Creek Wildlife Area
Pickerel Creek Wildlife Area is a great way to enjoy some of the natural areas in Sandusky. The area has restored wetlands with wildlife, boardwalks, and relaxing natural areas. There is an observation tower east of the park where you can enjoy bird watching and native wildlife.
Location: 3451 Co Rd 256, Vickery, Ohio 43464
South Bass Island State Park
South Bass Island State Park offers one of the best places to watch the Put-in-Bay sunset. Inside the park are remnants of the Victory Hotel, which stood as the world’s largest hotel in the late 1800s. The park is ideal for nature lovers with its green spaces and park benches for great waterfront views.
Location: 1523 Catawba Ave, Put-in-Bay, Ohio 43456
How to Get to
Middle Bass Island State Park
You can only access Middle Bass Island via ferry from Catawba Island, Ohio. Pick the ferry from Catawba Island off OH-53, which is roughly an hour’s drive west from Cleveland, Ohio. You need to make ferry reservations for you to bring your RV with you. Once you get to the Island, the park is to the southwest side, and all roads are paved for smooth driving.
Entering Middle Bass Island State Park
Middle Bass Island State Park is open all year, but the campground is only open between May and October.
Per vehicle : $0
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