Kelleys Island State Park Campground accepts pets at designated sites with a well-maintained beach area accessible by ferry. The 5-mile by 5-mile island offers diverse accommodations including tent sites, RV spots with electric hookups, and pet-friendly cabins and yurts. East Harbor State Park, also pet-friendly, provides similar amenities with clean facilities. Most campgrounds enforce standard leash policies and require proof of vaccinations. The campground areas feature level sites with fire rings and picnic tables, with some waterfront locations offering spectacular lake views. Bathrooms and shower facilities are generally clean though can become busy during peak season. Camping photos and user guides for Kelleys Island, Ohio are available on The Dyrt.
Dog owners find ample recreation opportunities around the campgrounds with walking paths and beach access. The island's small size makes it ideal for exploring with pets, with many campers opting to rent golf carts or bring bicycles to tour the entire island. The ferry ride costs approximately $100 round trip for a vehicle and passengers, with extra charges for larger RVs or trailers. Island amenities include a general store near the campground entrance selling essentials, ice, and firewood. Weather conditions can change quickly with lake winds, so packing appropriate gear for pets is recommended. While phone service can be spotty (occasionally connecting to Canadian networks), the island's relative isolation creates a peaceful environment for camping with dogs away from urban areas.
$26 - $90 / night
"I love the ability to walk or bike to the beach. The camp store has all the necessities you may have forgotten. I enjoy walking to the pond at night and flashlight frogs."
"A great campground in Ohio. So clean and so many things to do. Campsites are close together but they do honor quiet hours. Great trail around the lake and a fun and challenging disc golf course."
$26 - $120 / night
"Kelleys Island State Park is a small, family friendly campground with a beautiful beach. There are kayak rentals available, many nature trails, and fun things to do in the town as well."
"I have been coming up to Kelleys Island for 39yrs and this year really tested my happiness."
$28 - $660 / night
"Beautiful place, well kept, lots of sites overlooking the lake and a lot of shade. The island is pretty well known as a party island so we generally only camp here off-season now."
"Great location with many shoreline sites facing west with some of the best sunsets to be seen. Easy access for canoeists and kayakers, gentle shoreline, office is just a short walk away."
$150 - $500 / night
"a 1 year old so we weren't able to do anything at the park, but will definitely come back and try it again. also you can't bring animals into the park, so leave them with the in-laws. they do have a pet"
"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!"
"We travel with 2 large Labrador retrievers and love being able to let them play off leash in the kamp k9 dog park."
"Nice site in Northern Ohio!"
$32 - $1 / night
"This campground was family friendly, dog friendly, and very clean. About 30 minutes from cedar point."
"We did stay in a Travel Trailer next to seasonal campers and they were very kind and helpful. The lot size was ok...not spacious but not as small as I've experienced."
"Due to covid our family decided to go to Lake Erie instead of the ocean this year. this was our first trip up. While looking for places to stay we came across cedarlane and were so glad we did."
"This place is big and plenty of different things to do perfect location"
$23 - $105 / night
"Very pet friendly around here. Close to downtown, near Cedar Point and all the other attractions over here. They have 2 pools, one being heated."
"Positives: Clean
- Very close to Cedar Point Park
- Friendly staff
- All you can eat pancake breakfast ($5)
- Water and electrical access
- Easy highway access
- Roads well kept
Negatives:
- One of"
"This is a quiet campground near Lake Erie. The campground seems like it’s mainly seasonal but they did have some transient camping and tent sites. We stayed at site 156."
"We were on the end (which is always a plus for us), and were able to see Lake Erie! Very Quiet, but not much really goes on when it is raining."
TravelerKelleys Island State Park is a small, family friendly campground with a beautiful beach. There are kayak rentals available, many nature trails, and fun things to do in the town as well. Be sure to check out the glacial grooves! You can bring your vehicle over on the ferry, or rent a golf cart when you get there.
RangerI 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.
LegendBeautiful place, well kept, lots of sites overlooking the lake and a lot of shade. The island is pretty well known as a party island so we generally only camp here off-season now. There is a lot to see and explore like the caves, the monument in the world famous bars. The entire island is pretty rowdy during the summer so plan accordingly. We usually do kelleys island in the summer and Put-in-Bay in the offseason if we're headed this way. Wifey says the bathrooms were below average (most important for her).
GuideKelley’s island is absolutely beautiful. The site is clean and quiet and has lots of space. My only complaint is the water near us was not working at the primitive sites.
RangerIf you have the chance to stay on a lake front site, do it here! My family has been going to Kelleys Island for over 150yrs, and we live it to this day. The sites are the perfect size, with enough parking either at your site or the extended parking lot by the Ranger station. Kids get the most out of this campground, with Ranger learning experiences, theatre on the weekends, and Ranger educational hikes throughout the week. This is my ultimate happy place because the Island is 5 miles by 5 miles, so bicycling is key, there are many trails for bikes and foot traffic. The quarries are beautiful, the history is so amazing. If you vo the last week of July, they usually have a huge festival called, "Islandfest". Which is a must see.
GuideI enjoy this campground because there are lots of great spots to choose from. I love the ability to walk or bike to the beach. The camp store has all the necessities you may have forgotten. I enjoy walking to the pond at night and flashlight frogs. Typically there are a lot of raccoons so keep your food locked up tight. It is a great place for birding, fishing, boating and close to marblehead lighthouse and the ferries to take you to Kelley's Island and Put In Bay.
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.
TravelerTo 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.
ScoutAlot of campground unfinished, poor wifi, no dog park
Kelleys Island offers unique camping experiences in Lake Erie, approximately 5 miles wide with limestone bedrock forming the island's foundation. Water surrounds this isolated camping destination, with summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F and frequent lake breezes that can shift weather patterns rapidly. Ferry service remains the only access point for campers heading to the island and nearby mainland parks.
Explore glacial grooves: The island features one of the world's largest accessible glacial grooves, showcasing 400 million-year-old limestone bedrock carved by ice. "The island has space to launch kayaks, a boat dock, plenty of hiking, bring your bike to see the whole thing via peddle power. There is a brewery and winery," notes Lauri J. about Kelleys Island State Park Campground.
Visit Marblehead Lighthouse: Located near East Harbor State Park, this historic lighthouse offers excellent photo opportunities and Lake Erie views. "The marblehead lighthouse is also beautiful for photos," shares Ashley R. from Cedarlane RV Resort. "My daughter has been asking to go back since we left."
Beach activities: Multiple swimming areas provide options across various parks. "The state park has a rocky beach (shoes NECESSARY) which is actually a nice swimming area if you aren't looking for sand under your feet or blanket. That beach area is a great area though to launch a kayak or sailboard to use in the cove," explains Stephen S. about South Bass Island.
Island transportation: Most visitors rely on golf carts or bicycles rather than vehicles. "You can bring a car to the island. The camp ground is away from the downtown (think small) a few restaurants and a general store and market," explains Lauri J. about Kelleys Island.
Waterfront sites: Several campgrounds offer direct lakefront views and water access. "The campground has a little bay which works out great for having a small boat, jet-ski, and also a small swimming area," shares Rebecca F. from South Bass Island State Park Campground. "We did have one problem when we were camping, the power went out on the entire island for almost three hours."
Wildlife viewing: The lake region attracts diverse wildlife, especially for birders. "I enjoy walking to the pond at night and flashlight frogs. Typically there are a lot of raccoons so keep your food locked up tight. It is a great place for birding, fishing, boating and close to marblehead lighthouse and the ferries," notes Jaclyn B. about East Harbor.
Stargazing opportunities: The island location provides excellent dark sky viewing. "No city lights and being in the middle of the lake means lots of stars, the sounds of water and being so dark you can barely see," explains Daniel U. from Kelleys Island State Park. "World's largest glacier groves, shallow beach and fun history. The park is always clean and well kept."
Seasonal activities: Parks offer different experiences throughout the operating season. "Been going here my entire life. Amazing small town feel with cute shops, family activities, world's largest glacier groves, shallow beach and fun history," adds Daniel U.
Ferry logistics: Budget approximately $100 round-trip for vehicle and passengers on the ferry. "The slow ferry to the island (Miller) is the car ferry and it has free parking if you can leave your vehicle behind on the mainland and transport your stuff to the campgrounds via a bike trailer or some other way (about a mile+ from the ferry dock to the state park)," explains Stephen S. about South Bass Island.
Phone service challenges: Cell coverage can be inconsistent on the islands. "NO WIFI!! My phone thought we were in Canada which was only a problem because we couldn't connect with our friends in town to make plans," reports Christina C. about Kelleys Island State Park.
Weather preparedness: Lake conditions can change rapidly. "During the week only one shower house was open, they opened them all in the weekend. Got stuck due to rough waters so we got a free night on the island. Always plan ahead and be flexible when going to an island," advises Daniel U. from Kelleys Island.
Busy periods: Holiday weekends transform the experience significantly. "Pick when you want to go depending upon how much you enjoy noise and partying. Mid week during the summer season is the best time for those who aren't into 24 hour partying and weren't able to snag a cliff side camp site," suggests Stephen S. from East Harbor State Park Campground.
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature play areas for children. "The campground has a little bay which works out great for having a small boat, jet-ski, and also a small swimming area," mentions Rebecca F. about South Bass Island State Park.
Educational opportunities: Nature centers and historical sites provide learning experiences. "Great hiking, wonderful nature center on site with some planned activities to participate in. Camp store is also in close proximity to nature center," notes Sheri S. about East Harbor State Park.
Swimming areas: Beaches vary significantly between locations. "East harbor state park, also pet-friendly, provides similar amenities with clean facilities. The state park has a rocky beach (shoes NECESSARY) which is actually a nice swimming area if you aren't looking for sand under your feet or blanket," explains Stephen S.
Pet-friendly options: For families with pets, specific sites accommodate animals. "We ditto Rebecca's and Sarah's reviews below. Tent camped for 5 nights. Brought the dog and bicycles-easy island to bicycle on/around," shares Mary S. about Kelleys Island State Park Campground. "Lots of families and retirees. No issues with rowdy folks-quit time was quiet."
Site selection: Different areas offer varying experiences. "Although we camp in a motor home, this is one of the best tent camping spots I've seen. About twenty of the tent spots overlook the cliffs with great views of the water," explains T S. from South Bass Island. "The flattest RV sites with fair to good locations are Sites 57 and 44 (although even these will require a little leveling)."
Hook-up availability: Electric options vary by campground. "The electric is 50 amp. They have connectors you can use for a $25 deposit and then get your money back when you return the cord. They accept check and cash, no credit cards," explains Renee L. from Fort Firelands RV Park.
Accessibility considerations: Road conditions and site arrangements affect larger vehicles. "The roads are paved and they have a nice outdoor pool, small playground, and small miniature golf course," adds Renee L. "This is a quiet campground near Lake Erie."
Dump station availability: All major campgrounds offer waste disposal options. "2 dump stations are well graded so everything drains well. Shore line near by and beach a couple minutes walk," notes Timothy G. about Kelleys Island State Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Kelleys Island, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Kelleys Island, OH is East Harbor State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 57 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Kelleys Island, OH?
TheDyrt.com has all 67 dog-friendly camping locations near Kelleys Island, OH, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
