Elyria, Ohio campgrounds remain accessible from April through October, with some sites open year-round despite northeast Ohio's varying seasonal conditions. Located between Lake Erie and the forests of northern Ohio, the region features both lakeside camping options and wooded retreats. Several campgrounds provide yurt accommodations for campers seeking alternatives to traditional tent or RV camping.
What to do
Lake activities at East Harbor State Park: Campers can enjoy swimming at the beach, fishing in the harbor, or paddling along the shoreline. A camper noted, "I enjoy walking or biking to the beach. I enjoy walking to the pond at night and flashlight frogs. It is a great place for birding, fishing, boating and close to marblehead lighthouse and the ferries."
Disc golf at Punderson State Park: The park features a full disc golf course among its many recreational options. According to a reviewer, "Opportunities for disc golf, archery range, canoeing/kayaking/row boats, swimming (no lifeguard) and golf."
Island exploration at South Bass Island: Visitors can explore the entire island via bicycle or golf cart rental. A camper shared, "The island is beautiful and we hope that you can enjoy it! P.S. Check local deals on Groupon or Lake Erie Shores and Islands websites to save a bit on your trip."
Fishing at Cleveland Jellystone Park: The campground maintains a stocked fishing pond for guest use. One visitor mentioned, "Stocked pond, kayaks, Gaga Ball, RC track, jump pad, climbing wall etc etc etc!"
What campers like
Water access at East Harbor State Park Campground: The proximity to Lake Erie provides easy water access for swimming and boating. A reviewer appreciated that "The campground is right on the shore of Lake Erie, there are a few restaurants nearby. The sites vary in size, lots of shade trees where we camped."
Level sites at Lighthouse Point: Cedar Point's campground offers concrete pads that require minimal setup effort. A camper observed, "Concrete pads. Level! Full hookups were simple to use. The pool area was super clean. One of the things I liked best was there was a garbage can on every site!"
Wooded privacy at South Bass Island State Park Campground: The mature trees provide shade and natural separation between sites. A visitor mentioned, "The property has mature trees for good shade & there is easy water access for paddling & fishing."
Clean facilities at Milan Travel Park: The campground maintains well-kept restrooms and shower houses. A camper shared, "Showers and bathrooms are very clean and up-to-date. Very friendly and efficient check in."
What you should know
Ferry access required for island parks: Both Kelleys Island and South Bass Island require ferry transport with additional fees. A camper advised, "Access is via ferry. If you chose to leave your car on the mainland (free parking there) & pack in there are multiple sources for golf cart & bike rentals."
Site selection importance at Punderson State Park Campground: The campground features varying site terrain. One visitor warned, "The sites greatly very on size and flatness so make sure you look at the pictures of the site before you book some are basically the parking pad and a fire ring, some are big and flat some are on a incline."
Weekend crowds at island campgrounds: South Bass Island becomes considerably busier on weekends. A reviewer recommended, "For a quiet visit camp Monday thru Thursday; if you like crowds & parties reserve weekend time in advance."
Cell service limitations at Kelleys Island: Connectivity varies across the island. A camper noted, "Cell service is best downtown, I noticed my phone telling me I was in Canada while at the campgrounds but I was never charged an international fee."
Tips for camping with families
Activity options at American Wilderness Campground: The campground offers various structured activities for children. A visitor shared, "We love the fishing available here we also had the kids they enjoyed the arcade and gem mining we also liked the access to self serve laundry and camp store."
Yurt camping in Elyria, Ohio area: Several state parks offer yurt accommodations as alternatives to tent or RV camping. These structures provide protection from weather while maintaining a camping experience. A camper at Kelleys Island mentioned, "Yurts are available for rent. Accommodates RV, tent and group camping, although tent spots can be cramped."
Beach safety at Kelleys Island: The swimming areas have designated sections. A visitor noted, "The island has space to launch kayaks a boat dock. Plenty of hiking bring your bike to see the whole thing via peddle power."
Pool options for kids: Many campgrounds maintain pools as alternatives to lake swimming. A review of Cleveland Jellystone Park stated, "Large campground with a nice mix of seasonal and overnighters. Clean common areas. Nice pool, camp store on site with a nice selection of camp gear."
Tips from RVers
Off-season travel at Streetsboro-Cleveland SE KOA: Visiting during shoulder seasons provides a quieter experience. A camper mentioned, "We were in the area for medical visits in Cleveland. This spot was convenient and a great location to do a little sightseeing. Sites were gravel and level."
Hookup varieties across parks: Electric service varies between campgrounds. An RVer at Punderson cautioned, "Very few full hookups. Rest of the sites only have 15-20 amp service. The lots are not even close the level. You will need a lot of blocks to get close to level."
Pull-through availability at Milan Travel Park: The campground design accommodates easy access. A traveler noted, "Many level pull through sites. We were just passing through so the ability to not have to unhook was important to us."
Proximity to attractions: Several campgrounds provide convenient access to Cedar Point and other regional destinations. A visitor to Lighthouse Point commented, "Not really camping but staying in your camper next to an amazing amusement park. Pricey for sure but the bathrooms are clean, pool and splash pad are nice."
