The Most Beautiful Islands in Ohio

You don’t have to jet to the Caribbean for an island vacation this year. Plan a trip to Ohio and get the castaway experience in scenic Lake Erie, home to 28 islands — 16 of which belong to the Buckeye State. While most are uninhabited, some of these scenic outcrops are accessible by private boat or ferry and have plenty of facilities for boaters, hikers, campers, birdwatchers, and sightseers. Exploring the Ohio islands is a great way to experience the state’s stunning natural beauty, rich history, and unique geography. Pack a picnic and head for the water; these beautiful islands show you a side of Ohio most tourists miss.

Kelleys Island

Kelley’s Island is the largest of Ohio’s Lake Erie islands and home to the 676-acre Kelley Island State Park. Private ferries run a daily schedule to the island, leaving from Marblehead and Sandusky. Once on the island, visitors can rent a golf cart or bicycle to explore the state park or small community downtown. Be sure to check out the unique glacial grooves on the north shore, a marker of Ohio’s glacial past and an officially designated National Natural Landmark. On the southern shore, you’ll find the fascinating Inscription Rock State Memorial, where you can see Native American petroglyphs carved into a huge limestone boulder. To learn more about the natural and human history of the island, visit the Kelley’s Island Historical Museum.

North Bass Island

There are three Bass Islands in the Ohio section of Lake Erie. North Bass is one of the most unspoiled and secluded, making it a paradise for nature lovers and those looking for a relaxing escape. The island is only accessible by private boat and includes the sprawling 688-acre North Bass Island State Park, a popular destination for birdwatchers thanks to its seasonal population of migratory songbirds who stop here in spring and fall. The island is also a mecca for anglers who come to catch walleye, yellow perch, smallmouth bass, white bass, and channel catfish. To the southwest of the island is the Fox’s Marsh Wildlife Area, 60 acres of pristine wetlands bustling with wildlife, including turtles, waterfowl, and snakes. Keep an ear out for the Western Chorus frog, which likes to serenade guests in spring.

Middle Bass Island

Sandwiched between Kelley’s Island and South Bass Island, Middle Bass once went by a more attractive name. Originally known as Ile de Fleurs or Island of Flowers, this picturesque island offers stunning lake views, scenic wetlands and woodlands, and gorgeous beaches. But there’s more to Middle Bass than its scenery. The island was known for its thriving grape industry and was once the site of one of the largest wineries in the United States. The Lonz Winery traced its history back to the early 1900s, but sadly, the historic structure collapsed in 2000. Shortly afterward, the state purchased a 124-acre parcel of land on Middle Bass and transformed it into the Middle Bass Island State Park. Visit the park today, and you can see the remains of the winery, along with facilities for hiking, fishing, boating, and camping. In the summer, daily ferries run to the island from mainland Catawba.

South Bass Island

Also known as Put-In-Bay, South Bass Island takes its nickname from early French and English explorers who dropped anchor here as they traversed Lake Erie. Today, the island welcomes over a million visitors a year to the Put In Bay community, a lively island town with plenty to see and do. Tour and climb the historic lighthouse overlooking the bay, visit Heineman Winery, founded in 1888, or simply spend the day on the beach in the South Bass Island State Park. And, of course, you won’t be able to miss South Bass Island’s most famous landmark - the towering obelisk of the Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial. Rising 352 feet over Lake Erie, the monument was built to commemorate those who fought in the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812.

Johnson’s Island

Known as Ohio’s most significant Civil War site, Johnson’s Island is a small island in Sandusky Bay on the south shore of Lake Erie. It’s very easy to get to, with a paved causeway allowing visitors to drive right over from the mainland. A prisoner of war camp from 1862 to 1864, the island contains a large Confederate Cemetery, which is open to the public. The site, strewn with over 200 graves and several large monuments, has an eerie beauty to it and is particularly pretty in the fall when the foliage glows with autumnal colors. To learn more about Johnson’s Island’s fascinating history, call into the Johnson’s Island Museum, housed in the Maritime Museum of Sandusky on the mainland.

Liebs Island

The gateway to Buckeye Lake State Park, Liebs Island, is a small island on the lake’s western tip where you’ll find the park’s headquarters. Buckeye Lake is the oldest state park in Ohio and one of the most spectacular. The 3,100-acre lake contains several islands, although Liebs is the most populated. An ideal destination for boaters, birdwatchers, and anglers, the park also has a beautiful four-mile waterfront paved path that winds from Liebs Island along the northern shore of the lake. Liebs Island also has an accessible boat ramp, a scenic swimming beach, and a campsite for nature lovers who want to spend the night beneath the stars at Buckeye Lake.

Gibraltar Island

Not to be confused with its counterpart in the Mediterranean, Gibraltar Island is a small island in Put-in-Bay Harbor. Formerly owned by Civil War magnate Jay Cooke, the island was handed down through the Cooke family from the 1800s to 1925 when it was sold and then donated to the Ohio State University. Now the home of the Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory, this scenic island is closed to the public but available for tours upon request in the summer months. Notable attractions on Gibraltar Island include the historic Cooke House, built in 1865, and the Aquatic Visitors Center where guests can view educational displays and aquariums. The island also has a swimming beach and some unique landmarks in the form of glacial grooves that were etched into the rocky landscape more than 10,000 years ago.

Set Sail for Ohio’s Most Beautiful Islands

There’s a whole world to explore on Ohio’s waterways, from the unspoiled paradise of Buckeye Lake to the historic ports, coves, and harbors of Lake Erie. These beautiful islands offer an Ohio vacation like no other, taking travelers off the beaten path for an adventure on the water. Whichever island you’re visiting, be sure to plan ahead. Check fishing, boating, and camping regulations along with the weather forecast. Many of Ohio’s islands are wildlife preserves or state parks, so it’s especially important to leave no trace of your visit and respect the local wildlife.