Things to do nearKelleys Island
Kelleys Island, a small Lake Erie gem in Ohio, draws visitors with its ancient glacial grooves, sandy beaches, and relaxed island pace.
Kelleys Island has been shaped by forces both geological and human. Long before European settlers arrived, the island was home to the Erie people, and traces of their presence remain in the form of ancient pictographs at Inscription Rock State Memorial, a flat limestone slab near the south shore.
The island's most dramatic natural feature is its glacial grooves, wide channels scored into the bedrock by advancing ice sheets during the last ice age. The grooves stretch over a hundred feet and rank among the finest examples of glacial erosion open to the public anywhere in North America.
Beyond geology, the island offers sandy swimming beaches, kayak launches, and quiet hiking paths through the Kelleys Island State Park, where cedar and hardwood forest shelter migratory songbirds each spring and fall. Birdwatchers find the island especially rewarding during migration season.
The small village at the island's south end has a handful of casual restaurants, a winery, and locally owned shops that reflect the community's relaxed, seasonal character. Kelleys Island earns its reputation as one of Lake Erie's most rewarding natural escapes.
7-day forecast
Chance of rainTips for visiting Kelleys Island
Visit during late spring or early fall to enjoy the trails and shoreline with smaller crowds and cooler temperatures.
Stop at Glacial Grooves State Memorial to see some of the largest accessible glacial grooves in the world, carved by ice sheets thousands of years ago.
Bring a bicycle since the island is compact and most roads and attractions are easy to reach on two wheels.
Try fresh perch or walleye at one of the island's waterfront spots, as Lake Erie fish are a regional staple.
Take an evening walk along the north shore for unobstructed views of the lake at sunset, especially vivid on clear summer nights.
Top tours & experiences near Kelleys Island
Jet Express Ferry From Kelleys Island To Put-In-Bay
Ride the fastest ferry across Lake Erie and scan your ticket as you board
Ride a 20-Minute Ferry to Kelleys Island
Skip the ticket window on the Jet Express from Put-in-Bay to Kelleys Island
Cedar Point to Kelleys Island 25-Minute Ferry
Ride the Jet Express from Cedar Point to Kelleys Island in 25 minutes
25-Minute Ferry Ride From Kelleys Island to Sandusky
Ride the Jet Express from Kelleys Island to Sandusky in 25 minutes
Ride the Ferry From Sandusky to Kelleys Island
Fast Jet Express ferry from Sandusky to Kelleys Island in 25 minutes