Cabin camping options near Vickery, Ohio provide convenient access to Lake Erie, located in north-central Ohio approximately 60 miles west of Cleveland. The region experiences warm summers with average temperatures in the 70-80°F range and cold winters dropping below freezing. Most cabin facilities remain open from April through October with limited winter availability primarily at year-round private campgrounds.
What to do
Water activities at East Harbor State Park: Visitors can enjoy swimming at the designated beach area and explore the shoreline. "I enjoy this campground because there are lots of great spots to choose from. I love the ability to walk or bike to the beach... It is a great place for birding, fishing, boating and close to marblehead lighthouse and the ferries to take you to Kelleys Island and Put In Bay," notes Jaclyn B.
Island exploration from South Bass: The island offers unique activities beyond the mainland experience. "The town is about 1.5 miles down the road and easy to get to via bicycle or island taxi. The town has numerous bars and restaurants with lots of live entertainment on the weekends," explains Stephen S. at South Bass Island State Park Campground, who also notes the harbor typically has "100 to 200 boats including some in the 40 to 50 foot range in the harbor on the weekends."
Local attractions from Crystal Rock: The campground provides access to nearby destinations. "Definitely a place to stay if you're fishing Lake Erie or visiting Cedar point," mentions Derrick J. from Crystal Rock Campground. Another visitor adds that the location offers "plenty of things to do in the area" making it ideal for short stays.
What campers like
Waterfront sites with views: Lakeside camping spots offer direct water access and scenery. "A lot of shaded sites and waterfront sites that are right on the water. 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. about Kelleys Island State Park.
Family-friendly amenities: Campgrounds offer various recreational options. "They have a nice little bay which works out great for having a small boat, jet-ski, and also a small swimming area," notes Rebecca F. about South Bass Island. At Cedarlane RV Resort, one camper shares: "The pools and bathrooms were clean... 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."
Clean facilities: Maintenance standards vary but many campgrounds maintain good hygiene. Mark S. reports about East Harbor State Park: "The benefit of C is that there is a very nice newer shower house by the pull through lots, the facility is hard to beat in a state park!" Another camper at Lighthouse Point mentions "Concrete pads. Level! Full hookups were simple to use. The pool area was super clean."
What you should know
Ferry transportation required: Island campgrounds require advance planning. "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," explains Blythe J. about South Bass Island. Another camper adds: "The Miller ferry stops running about 8pm, ie: near sunset" and warns of long Sunday return waits.
Site selection matters: Campground layouts vary significantly across facilities. "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," advises Mark S.
Seasonal considerations: Camping experiences differ drastically between peak and off-peak periods. At Sandusky-Bayshore KOA, campers note it's "way cheaper than staying at cedar point and worth it" despite being located where "Train does go by frequently and the tracks are close." For South Bass Island, one visitor recommends: "We generally only camp here off-season now" due to the summer crowds.
Tips for camping with families
Beach access options: Several campgrounds offer child-friendly swimming areas. At East Harbor State Park, "there is a very nice newer shower house by the pull through lots" and the campground is "close enough to visit touristy places during the day, but far enough from the noise to feel relaxed." Another visitor notes it has "great hiking, wonderful nature center on site with some planned activities to participate in."
Kid-specific amenities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated children's facilities. Jeffrey C. says Cedarlane "has lots of stuff for kids to do" including "a great splash pad and wading pool for kids" plus "horseshoes, basketball court and lots of kids activities." The campground also offers "a nice little swimming area with floatables for kids and sandy beach," according to another review.
Safety considerations: Some locations require extra precautions with children. At South Bass Island, visitors should note that "about twenty of the tent spots overlook the cliffs with great views of the water" but "families with young children, unstable adults, and those who like to party would find these sites profoundly dangerous" as "the tents are two feet from the edge of the cliff."
Tips from RVers
Site specifications: RV campers should research pad types and layouts. At Lighthouse Point, campers enjoy "Concrete pads. Level! Full hookups were simple to use" and note "There were arborvitae trees between each site so plenty of privacy too." Another visitor mentions the campground has "premium sites with upgraded grills and fire pits and crazy good lake views."
Hookup availability: Utilities vary across campgrounds. Timothy G. reports at Kelleys Island: "Check in crew were real nice. 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." At Tall Timbers, campers note "No sewer hook up. Level sites. Sites pretty close to each other so only 1 car per site."
Accessibility and maneuverability: Some areas present challenges for larger RVs. Crystal Rock offers "lots of different options for camping" but has roads that are "tight" according to reviewers. At Cedarlane, campers note "The sites are not huge and a little close together but very nice and well maintained" despite being a big park with "plenty of different things to do."
