For those who want to experience Erie, but still want the creature comforts of home, consider glamping for your trip. The Dyrt can help find the best glamping in and around Erie, MI. You're sure to find glamping for your Erie camping adventure.
Campground closed for renovations starting Nov 2019
Michigan Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry into state parks and recreation areas, state boat launches, state forest campgrounds and state trail parking lots. The Michigan Recreation Passport does not cover local, county, municipal, or metropolitan parks or recreation areas. Learn more: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/buy-and-apply/rec-pp
$36 - $45 / night
East Harbor State Park Campground is the largest in the Ohio State Park system. It offers Full Hookup, Electric, Non-electric and ADA sites. Pets are permitted at all sites. Other options include a Yurt (ADA), two Sherman Cabins (one ADA cabin), and Group Camping. Reservations are required and can be made online or by calling (866) 644-6727.
Located in Ohio on the sandy shores of Lake Erie awaits an enormous haven of fun, with tons of chances to recreate. Boating, fishing, swimming, picnicking, and camping all attract flocks of visitors to East Harbor State Park.
Nature lovers will rejoice thanks to the dense population of waterfowl, shore birds, and other species of wildlife. Owing to the swampy, wetland climate, a host of migratory species regularly flock to the region. However, the land was not always this rich. It wasn’t until the draining of the Great Black Swamp that the land transformed into an agricultural oasis, producing regional varieties of fruits such as grapes and peaches.
Before European Settlement, East Harbor region was home to Native American tribes like the Ottawa and Wyandot Tribes. Stemming from the translation “trader”, the Ottawa tribe earned its title due to the geographic location of East Harbor. During the period of Westward Expansion, this park’s acreage was first the heart of popular trade routes for Native Americans.
As it developed, the region has long been valued for its recreational potential. In fact, Lake Erie is more similar (and exotic) to a tropical beach resort than you’d first think. This is due to the extensive range of plant and animal life, long sandy beaches, and the immense size of the lake itself. As a result of these factors, 1,831 acres were reserved and protected, to be known today as East Harbor State Park.
Camping at East Harbor is readily available with 352 electric sites. Furthermore, there are 160 non-electric sites available for a cheaper nightly rate. There are also an additional 51 full hook-up sites for those in Recreational Vehicles. Working Nomads and Van Dwellers will be grateful to find Wifi Available, however there is a small fee to use it.
Finally, there’s Dump Stations, Bathrooms, and Showers are routinely located throughout. For a more secure (and expensive) shelter option, there is one Yurt available for reservation. Book in advance, however, as it tends to be very competitive.
If you’ve got furry friends, you can take a breath of relief as pets are permitted on all sites. Moreover, Bike rentals are available as well as games and sporting equipment from the camp office/lodge. Get outside with your friends (any number of legs invited) and enjoy everything that East Harbor State Park has to offer.
Sandusky's Hidden Gem. Crystal Rock Campground has called Sandusky home for over 45 years and is just minutes from Cedar Point Amusement Park and the Lake Erie Islands, including: Marblehead, Port Clinton, Catawba, Put-in-Bay and Kelleys Island! We offer a quiet place to stay with nearby access to a variety of area attractions. Beaches, Boating, Fishing, Roller Coasters (Cedar Point), Water Parks, Hiking, Kayaking, Water Sports, Foodies, Breweries and Wineries, and exploring Nature.
$32 - $1 / night
Guide
We went to crystal rock campground for the first time over memorial day weekend. We knew it would be busy but we didn't know it would be bike week, so not only was the campground fully booked but it was fully booked with loud Harley's!
That didn't spoil our time, we just bought earplugs 😂
The amenities were so nice as we are used to really roughing it while camping. We joked that we were glamping as we took showers everyday, ordered pizza one night and even did a load of laundry!!
The owners and employees were so amazingly sweet and helpful. Tom went out of his way to make extra fun activities for the little kiddos. Our daughter really loved the sandbox, and the playground was great! We even did a little gem mining! The display for the bag contents were really need too. Our daughter wanted to stay forever!
Ranger
This on a bay on the very western side of Lake Erie among a wildlife refuge and wilderness area. I came for the birding and wasn’t disappointed. Parts of this park are very built up as a resort feel but the nature center, shore swimming, and wilderness is still very nice. Unfortunately they allow hunting and trapping, it was disturbing. The campsites are pretty crowded but still ok. There’s a yurt and cabins too.
Guide
We rented a yurt as a local weekend escape. Our kids loved the yurt. It was nice with a little mini fridge and 4 double beds. Campground showers and bathrooms are clean. It is one of the only state parks in northwest Ohio, a beautiful little spot nestled in farmland of Ohio. The lake is nice for swimming and there are bike rentals which was fun as well. We did not use it, but there is a dog beach as well. Sites are crowed and close together.
TravelerWell kept, quiet and fun. Bike rental was easy and did not cost too much. We had a tent site and the yurt site. Water was cold due to it being early June as expected.
TravelerTents are welcome, as well as big campers. Have a couple of cabins and yurts. A lot of groups camp here. Not a lot of kids activities, no pool, but does have a beach on the lake, canoe and kayak and paddleboaed rentals and trails for hiking. If you want a quiet retreat, this is usually the place.
Guide
Great little campground. I ended up here after not being able to find a site at many other locations and I’m glad I did! I’ve gone back many times and it’s always beautiful and quiet. Also there are many different sites to choose from, on the water views and a yurt for a more romantic cozy experience.
ScoutLoved the close lake erie, inland beach, and deer wildlife is plentiful.
Guide
open space, good for RV camping. access to Lake Erie...goog fishing.
GuideNice campground on Lake Erie! Very private with trees surrounding most of the sites.Trails, board walk, nice beach, hotel with restaurant and pool.
RangerI stayed here with my kids because it was close to home and town. It makes for an easy getaway for a night or two.
It is rustic with just vault toilets. Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring.
The lake is not good for swimming as it is very mucky and covered in Lilly pads.
It can fill up quick because it is close to town.
There is a Yurt for rent here as well through the Waterloo Recreation web page.
RangerNice park very clean. Nice bike trails and large campsites. First time at Lake Erie don’t know if I would swim in it… but there is a large beach as well.
Ranger
The ferry ride it takes to access this state park island is well worth the time and fees! Fun beach side restaurants, dirt roads and pretty beaches. The state park has camping that can accommodate launching your boat if needed. They have showers, although they aren't always very clean. The campground has a beach and playground. You can also purchase wood. Yurts are available for rent. accommodates RV, tent and group camping, although tent spots can be cramped. But nothing beats a lake view spot! I recommend bringing or renting bikes to tour the island!
GuideNice state park with clean bathrooms. Bike and walking trails. Also has a smaller lake good for kayaking and fishing. It has a boat ramp to put into Lake Erie. Not a lot of shade on the sites!
Scout
Accessible from ferry, this camp ground offers stunning views of Lake Erie. With clean running water and facilities, the only downside is that the camp grounds are a tad too crowded for my preference.
GuideWonderful campground located on Lake Erie! Sites were somewhat private with a thin layer of trees or brush between them. Campground is separated into multiple cul-de-sacs which kept car traffic to a minimum. Great place to explore with kids!
LegendNice state park on shores of Lake Erie. Plenty of activities to keep you busy including a paved bike trail. Nice wooden boardwalk near small but pleasant visitor's center. Campsites are large and spaced well with hedgerows between sites for privacy. Clean bath and shower facilities.
ScoutI've been camping here for years! Some of the sites are smaller. You can find some with great shade. All the trails are cool with smaller lakes and of course Lake Erie. You can walk to the lodge and boardwalk. Beaches nature center. Overall a pretty good park
TravelerMiles of maintained trails and boardwalks for wildlife viewing has a 5 star golf course sits on the shore of Lake Erie and bike trails for miles you will not be board here tennis and basketball courts on property and a stay at the resort is a life of luxury
LegendRight on Lake Erie this is a gorgeous park. There is a lovely boardwalk by the nature center. A very clean beach and lots of trails. I wish we would have brought bikes. It a large park and I feel like we might have missed some of it. The lodge was also nice and they have a golf course that looked nice.
ScoutWe drove down from MI for a quick weekend getaway. Nice and friendly staff with plenty of things to do in the area. Bathrooms and showers were clean which is always a plus. Wifi reception was also good. Definitely a place to stay if you’re fishing Lake Erie or visiting Cedar point.
ScoutThis is a beautiful place to stay when visiting put-in-bay. You are secluded from the party central street but a golf cart away if you wanted to join the festivities. This camp ground is on lake erie and offers beautiful views of the lake and access to the water. Will definitely stay here again!!! Books up quickly
Scout
One of the premier state parks in the state of Ohio, on the shores of Lake Erie. Plenty of things for the kids, and fishing, boating, and hiking here. It can get busy in the summer but well worth the trip, make reservation for the weekends in the summer and enjoy what the area has to offer.
TravelerThe park is beautiful! Lake Erie is beautiful! Lots to explore on the island. It was a little costly getting my camper across on the ferry. The staff are amazing. The entire campground is a dead zone. Wouldn’t have been a big deal, but we were there for 2 weeks and my son is home schooled.
TravelerWe went tent camping for the weekend and really enjoyed it! Many tent sites available and rather spacious sites. The beach was full since it was Labor Day weekend, but clean and shallow for kids to easily play. Clean bathrooms and shower houses and lots of places to ride our bikes. A nice place to stay if you want to take advantage of the lake, Sandusky or the Lake Erie islands.
Traveler
Great location! Situated adjacent to Iron Vengeance roller coaster and across the parking lot from the water park. You can see the coasters and hear the screams from your rig!
Great value as your stay gets you in Cedar Point an hour early.
You are right on Lake Erie and the sites are RV only on level concrete pads and no fire pits. There is a camp store that is open late and sells beer, wine, snacks and other camp essentials.
ScoutLast time I came here was in 2019. Words cannot describe how great this camp ground was. The wild life In the area was abundant making hikes in the afternoon great especially near sunset when the deer in the area started to come out. Also watching the sun set and rise on the beach/ swimming area was a great experience. The location of the camp ground puts you right on Lake Erie and close to great locations such as Put in Bay, Kelly’s island and cedar point.
ScoutBeautiful scenery. Located right on the water, with beautiful views of Lake Erie. Well maintained campground, although the bathrooms had limited number of toilets. I usually had to wait to get a stall. You can rent a golf cart, but I took my bicycle and everything was a short ride away. It’s a very quiet island; especially during the week, which is when I went. If you want more shopping and nightlife, consider Put-in-Bay. But Kelley’s Island is a perfect quiet getaway.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Erie, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Erie, MI is Maumee Bay State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 41 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 26 glamping camping locations near Erie, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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