East Harbor State Park

East Harbor (NW)

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Activities
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Address/Directions

1169 N. Buck Road
Lakeside-Marblehead, OH 43440-9610

Park Office

419-734-4424

Camp Office

419-734-5857

Marina

419-734-2289

Information

Located on the shores of Lake Erie, 1,831-acre East Harbor State Park has unlimited opportunities for outdoor recreation. Boating, fishing, swimming, picnicking and camping are popular while nature enthusiasts will enjoy the abundance of waterfowl, shorebirds and other species of wildlife found in the park’s scenic wetlands.

Nature of the Area

East Harbor State Park is situated on a peninsula of land stretching into the waters of Lake Erie–one of the largest freshwater bodies in the world. The history of Lake Erie began with the glacial period when massive sheets of ice gouged and scoured the bedrock of Ohio. Evidence of the force of the ice is found throughout the lake area. Small scratches in the rock surface known as glacial striations are common while major grooves are rare but awesome. The deep depressions left by the glaciers were filled with meltwater forming the series of lakes we know as the Great Lakes.

East Harbor lies on the fringe of Ohio’s prairie marsh zone. These wetlands are remnants of the Great Black Swamp which once covered an area 120 miles long and 30 to 40 miles wide. After a period of intense lumbering and draining in the late 1800s, the swamp was nearly destroyed. Only ten percent of Ohio’s original wetlands now remain. These wetlands produce more wildlife than any other type of habitat in Ohio. Reptiles and amphibians are numerous including the green frog, American toad, water snake, fox snake and painted turtle. Large numbers of ducks, geese, gulls, terns and other migratory waterfowl delight birdwatchers. Middle Harbor is a game sanctuary where black-crowned night herons, egrets, great blue herons and other shorebirds find refuge. Furbearers in the park include muskrat and red fox. Hundreds of migrating songbirds rest here before winging north across the lake.

History of the Area

Before European settlement, the East Harbor region was home to the Ottawa and Wyandot Indians. Ottawa in native tongue means “trader”. An east-west trail skirted the southern shore of Lake Erie connecting the Pittsburgh and Detroit settlements, and also linked with the famed Scioto Trail from the south. This important area remained in Indian control until the British and Indians were defeated in the War of 1812 by the Americans.

After the Great Black Swamp was eventually drained, the land became highly productive. Fruits, particularly peaches and grapes, were grown extensively. The grape culture became very successful as a result of quality soil, natural drainage and suitable climate.

Marblehead Lighthouse was erected in 1821 east of the park on the Marblehead Peninsula to aid navigation in and out of Sandusky Bay. Johnsons Island on the bay side of the peninsula was the site of a prison for Confederate soldiers captured during the Civil War. A Confederate cemetery still remains on the island.

The region has long been valued as a recreation area. The unique plant and animal life, sandy beaches, marshland and the lake itself led to the development of East Harbor State Park. The park was opened in 1947 and today is one of northern Ohio’s most popular vacation spots.

Camping

225 electric sites
126 electric premium sites
23 full hook-up sites
189 non-electric sites
8 non-electric premium sites
Showers, flush toilets, dump station, launch ramp and camp store
Free WiFi access is available at the camp store to registered campers
Pet camping is permitted on designated sites
Bike rental is available from the camp office and games and sporting equipment are available on loan to registered campers
A fish cleaning building is available for use by campers
10 group camp sites can accommodate up to 100 units are available for reservation
Download the Campground map

Getaway Rentals

2 Rent-A-RV units on full-service sites are available for weekly rental only
2 deluxe camper cabins are also available for daily rental

Trails

11 hiking trails
- Middle Harbor Trail •3/4 Mile • Moderate
- Middle Harbor Extension • 1/2 Mile • Easy
- Meadow Trail • 3/4 Mile • Easy
- Blackberry Trail • 1/2 Mile • Easy
- Red Bird Trail • 1/4 Mile • Easy
- Rock Garden Loop • 0.3 Miles • Easy
- Wetlands Trail • 2 Miles • Easy
- South Beach Trail • 2.5 Miles • Easy
- Water’s Edge Trail • 1 Mile • Moderate
- Channel Dunes Loop • 1.2 Mile • Easy
- West Harbor Trail • 3/4 Mile • Easy
Download the Trail Map

Boating

Lake Erie offers unlimited horsepower boating opportunities
The park’s marina provides seasonal and day-use dock rentals, fuel, launch ramp, full-time mechanic, boat supplies and restaurant
Boats and campers can be stored year-round at the marina in a fenced enclosure
There is one ramp at the marina (fee), and one in the campground (no fee)
Boating laws and information

Fishing

Lake Erie, the walleye capital of the world, provides anglers great catches of yellow perch, channel catfish, smallmouth and white bass in addition to walleye
Both East Harbor and West Harbor are excellent for bluegill, crappie and carp
Valid Ohio fishing license is required

Picnicking

14 picnic areas with fantastic views of the lake and marshlands are equipped with tables and grills
One picnic area is conveniently located next to the beach
3 shelterhouses can be reserved online or by calling 866-644-6727

Swimming

1,500-foot sand beach on Lake Erie
Vending machines are available
Swim at your own risk & be sure to keep an eye on the kids
Pets are NOT permitted on swimming beaches
Check for water quality advisories

Disc Golf

18 holes plus a practice hole
Course is located near the Lockwood Shelter House
Bring your own equipment, rental equipment is not available
No fee is charged to play
See what other parks have disc golf courses

Hunting

Hunting for waterfowl is permitted on the eastern side of the offshore islands
5 duck blinds in the park are awarded through a lottery drawing held on the morning of the third Saturday in August, contact the park office for details
Valid Ohio hunting license is required

Winter Recreation (conditions permitting)

5 snowmobile trails
- Middle Harbor Trail • 3/4 Mile
- Meadow Trail • 3/4 Mile
- Wetlands Trail • 2 Miles
- South Beach Trail • 2.5 Miles
- Channel Dunes Loop • 1/2 Mile
Ice skating
Ice fishing
Ice boating
Cross-country skiing

More To Do

Volleyball, basketball and horseshoe courts, along with playground equipment , are located in the campground or day use area

Area Attractions

Marblehead Lighthouse State Park, in the village of Marblehead, is home to the oldest lightouse in continuous operation on the Great Lakes. Tours are offered during the summer months. Visit the museum operated by the Marblehead Lighthouse Historical Society.
The Sportsmen’s Migratory Bird Center, located on the main entrance road to Crane Creek State Park is operated by the ODNR Division of Wildlife and features displays of native wildlife species and information about the area. An observation platform offers a unique perspective on the surrounding terrain.
Several other state nature preserves are located in the Sandusky area including Sheldon Marsh, Old Woman Creek and Erie Sand Barrens.
For more information on area attractions, visit
- Lake Erie Shores & Islands Welcome Center(s) or call 800-255-3743
- Ohio Tourism Division website or call 800-BUCKEYE