Best Glamping near Kelleys Island, OH

I have been coming up to Kelleys Island for 39yrs and this year really tested my happiness. The campground has gone through quite a bit of changes over the last couple years and it's not entirely for the better. We stayed on the water front site directly next to the trail for the public beach. I do not recommend this site unless you want everyone to walk through the site at any time all day long. People do not respect quiet hours and leave their porch lights on in the cabins that now sit on the water front. There used to be VIPs that cleaned the park everyday and maintained everything. Not anymore and the park seems a little less friendly now. Golf carts are or were prohibited from entering the campground but now drive around the park all day long creating quite the ruckus and disturbing the beauty of nature. The bathrooms did get an upgrade of fixtures and super bright LED lights, but they took out the ADA accessible showers that had detachable shower heads and a bench to sit on in the shower. This beautiful well kept secret feels a lot like it's sister island Put-in-Bay now with all the rules stripped no care for the environment with partying all day. We did however have beautiful weather the entire time we were there. The site was clean but we noticed a lot of trees had been lost over the years and our camper sat in full sun all day long. They have replanted a tree that will cover the parking pad with shade in probably 10 years. The stairs to get to the public beach we decaying railroad ties that need some TLC but work. The dumpstation has moved to back of the campground by the old pet section which is nice and keeps the noise away from the rest of the park. They also stripped the Ranger program and no longer offer education hikes, movie nights, island history hikes, or the nature program. These were all favorites of mine as a child and made me appreciate the island more.

To reach Kelley's Island, you have to take the only ferry. Our round trip roundtrip fare for 3 adults and a vehicle was a around $100. It's around 25 mins across to the island. The island has about 500 full time residents. The road that runs up the center of the island, Division Street, starts a little west of the ferry stop and ends at the State Park. There are some small shops, restaurants, miniature golf, ice cream and fudge shops. There are golf cart rentals and lots of bikers and walkers on the island. You could walk the

The state park was beautiful. Filled with boaters, families and RVers. The bathrooms were clean, the park sold firewood and ice. There was an ice cream shop across from the entrance. Our tent spot was level. Quiet hours started at 11 pm. Unfortunately, people ignored it. I kept hoping the camp host would walk around and say something. Someone's car alarm went off at 5 am and the dogs got up and our day started. I would recommend watching the sunrise from the park benches at the water's edge. It was beautiful.

There were places to put your kayaks in as well as a boat launch by the park. People were fishing off the jetting that protects the swimming area.

It will get chilly at night, the sites on the edge of the water were windier. And bring your bug spray. Beautiful island, fun brewery on the island, sites are crowded. I would easily head back.

We've camped at Maumee Bay State Park twice and enjoyed it both times.  The campground is part of a larger resort complex that includes a hotel, marina, a nice beach on Lake Erie, a second beach on an inland lake, golf course, mowed hiking trails and - our favorite - about 5 miles of beautiful, paved bike paths.  It's all very clean and well maintained.  The whole place has a welcoming, friendly vibe.

We camped on site 47, electric only.  Very level and spacious paved spot with its own shade tree.  Nearby shower house accessible by well-lit paved path.  Our only problem was a bit of water puddling near the camper/fire pit but it went away after the first night.  

The campground is spread out so everyone brings bicycles and also saw a few golf carts.  Very nice for family bicycling!  Saw lots of wildlife on our rides.

The surrounding area is kind of industrial.  We toured it the first year we went (very interesting!) but stayed close to camp this year.

Absolutely beautiful RV park! Gorgeous views of Lake Erie and walking distance to the gate of Cedar Point. Beautiful landscaping and very clean. Staff is incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. Good little camp store with reasonable(ish) prices. Too chilly to swim but the pool looks nice. Bathhouses are updated, clean and very nice, but pretty far from about half of the sites. One section has premium sites with upgraded grills and fire pits and crazy good lake views. The regular sites are still well landscaped and each have a grill and an extra long picnic table, but no fire pit. You can bring your own fire pit if your site doesn't have one. No bikes or golf carts allowed on the grounds, but there are Cedar Point buses available day & night as well as rickshaws during the day. Until now I have held Disney World's Fort Wilderness as the penultimate place for camping but they could learn a few things from Cedar Point! We stayed five nights in a pull through sites, #231. I would love to snag a premium site for our next trip but it may be difficult because they allow you to book up five years in advance!