Camping sites near Vickery, Ohio provide access to Lake Erie's southern shore within a 30-minute drive. The area sits at approximately 600 feet above sea level with a humid continental climate featuring warm summers and cold winters. Several campgrounds remain open from May through October, though East Harbor State Park accommodates campers year-round.
What to do
Island exploration: Take a ferry to Kelleys Island State Park for unique geological features. "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," shares a Kelleys Island State Park Campground visitor.
Water recreation: Fish in Cold Creek or Lake Erie near campgrounds. "The campground has a little bay which works out great for having a small boat, jet-ski, and also a small swimming area," notes a camper about South Bass Island State Park Campground.
Amusement parks: Cedar Point is accessible from several campgrounds in the area. "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, restaurants that deliver, a short walk to the beach and both water park and amusement park," describes a visitor at Lighthouse Point.
What campers like
Waterfront sites: Lakeside camping spots offer direct water access. "Most sites have some trees. Large playground for kids if you have them. Pedestals worked fine. Plenty of garbage dumpsters. Have waste water stations and a potable water station. Plenty of park area and sites were spaced average apart," notes a Kelleys Island State Park Campground visitor.
Swimming options: Multiple campgrounds offer swimming areas and pools. "They have a nice little swimming area with floatables for kids and sandy beach," mentions a Tall Timbers Campground camper.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and showers are frequently mentioned. "Bathrooms are ok, mostly clean nothing special. Not a lot of arm room. Showers were kind of impressing as far as size and constant hot water. Pressure was good also," reports a camper at South Bass Island State Park.
What you should know
Campsite spacing: Many campgrounds have close quarters, especially during peak season. "Our site literally butted right next to three other sites and it just felt very cramped. We were also the furthest from the bathroom you could be, which was quite a hike to do dishes," notes a visitor at Crystal Rock Campground.
Ferry logistics: Island campgrounds require additional planning. "You have to take a ferry to the camp ground. Kelleys Island Ferry in Marblehead. It is a few miles to camp ground so if you are renting and don't bring a vehicle you will want to rent a golf cart," advises a South Bass Island camper.
Site selection matters: Campgrounds offer varying experiences based on location within the property. "The key is site selection at East Harbor. We happened to be in section C which was a newer section of the park. Section C was nice, though in hot sunny days there is very little shade to protect you. The other sections of the park have tall shade trees that work out great," explains a visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Entertainment options: Look for campgrounds with dedicated kid areas. "This campground has a little bit of everything. RV parking, tent sites and several cabins to rent. Rates are decent. Has lots of stuff for kids to do. Pools are small and can be a little crowded during the summer on weekends. They have a great splash pad and wading pool for kids," shares a Cedarlane RV Resort visitor.
Budget alternatives: Consider less expensive options near attractions. "This was the best decision we made when visiting Cedar Point's Hallo-Weekends in September 2017. It was cheap, convenient, easy to find, book, and use. It had restrooms and clean showers! Definitely cheaper and more fun than a hotel," notes a camper at Cold Creek Trout Camp.
Activities scheduling: Plan for weather variability. "Due to covid our family decided to go to Lake Erie instead of the ocean this year. My daughter had fun doing the gem mining and playing in the pool and splash pad. They have a small convenience store on site that's reasonably priced. They have an adults only pool as well for those looking for a break from all the kids," reports a Cedarlane RV Resort visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site surfaces: Look for level, well-maintained camping pads. "Concrete pads. Level! Full hookups were simple to use. The pool area was super clean. One of the thinks I liked best was there was a garbage can on every site! If you can, get a super patio site," advises a Lighthouse Point at Cedar Point camper.
Electric options: Check for correct power connections. "Perfect for our visit to Cedar Point. We got there late at 9:00 pm and didn't have to check out until 8:00 pm the next day so our RV stayed plugged in all day. The campground stay also included early entry passes into the park at 8:45 AM before the opening for regular entry at 10:00 am," shares a Lighthouse Point visitor.
RV site proximity: Be prepared for varying levels of privacy between sites. "Sites are not huge and a little close together but very nice and well maintained. We visited east harbor state park while there and the beach was weird, there's a rock wall bordering the lake so you have to either climb down the low wall or walk to the designated opening in the wall," notes a camper at Cedarlane RV Resort.
