Camping Trip at East Harbor State Park
2nd Week of June, 1998
East
Harbor State Park
1169 N. Buck Road
Lakeside-Marblehead, OH 43440-9610
(419) 734-4424 Park Office
(419) 734-5857 Camp Office
(419) 734-2289 Marina
Located on the shores of Lake Erie, 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.
East of the park on the Marblehead Peninsula is the Marblehead Lighthouse, one of the oldest on the Great Lakes. 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
The campground at East Harbor is the largest in the Ohio State Park system with 365 electric sites and 205 non-electric sites. The campground is equipped with showers, flush toilets, dump station, launch ramp and camp commissary. Pet camping is permitted on designated sites. A youth-group camping area has a capacity for 50 units; the adult group camp can accommodate 100 units. Group camps are available on a reservation basis. Two Rent-A-Camp units consisting of a tent, sheltered picnic table, cots, cooler, cookstove and other equipment can be rented during the summer months.
Boating
Lake Erie offers unlimited horsepower boating opportunities. The park's marina provides seasonal and day-use dock rentals, fuel, launch ramp, supplies and restaurant. Boats and campers can be stored year-round at the marina in a fenced enclosure.
Fishing and Hunting
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. Hunting for waterfowl is permitted on the eastern side of the offshore islands. Five duck blinds in the park are awarded through a lottery drawing held in August. Contact the park office for details. A valid Ohio fishing and/or hunting license is required.
Trails
East Harbor's 7-mile trail system leads through the many different habitats within the park. The Middle Harbor Trail skirts the southern edge of the Middle Harbor game sanctuary and includes a stop at a bird observation blind. The short Blackberry Trail near the camp check-in station invites campers to enjoy a pleasant evening stroll. Other foot trails near the swimming beach offer the opportunity to observe the flora and fauna of a beach community.
Swimming
Thousands of visitors come to East Harbor's 1,500-foot sand beach. A beach concession is available.
Picnicking
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. Two spacious shelterhouses may be rented by the public. Contact the park office for details.
Area Attractions
Crane Creek State Park, west of Port Clinton, is one of the state's foremost birding areas and is noted for its spring and fall bird migrations. It is one of the few areas in the state where the endangered bald eagle may be seen. The Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge borders this park to the west.
Encompassing 2,600 acres of wetland adjoining Crane Creek State Park, Magee Marsh Wildlife Area offers outstanding nature study areas and fishing access at Turtle Creek. Controlled public duck hunting is permitted here.
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 additional information or questions regarding Ohio State Parks, send mail to: parkinfo@dnr.state.oh.us
Click
here to check the Ohio State Park Directory
This is our campsite at East Harbor State Park, which is located near Marblehead Ohio right by the Sandusky Bay. We lived here for 7 glorious days.
Here's another view of the campsite - showing my little truck and me in the background. The closest building is the bathrooms (with electricity), and the farthest one way back there is the showers.
Here is a couple sunsets on the lake, taken from The Loner while we drifted over our favorite shoal a mile or so from the harbor. In the distant center is Mouse Island, on the distant right is South Bass Island, and on the distant left is Catawba Island.
I said we liked camping - this does not necessarily mean "roughing it". In this picture are all the requirements for a nice quiet evening at camp - steaks and corn on the grill, marinade close at hand, and beer within reach.
The Loner, all hooked up and waiting quietly early in the morning, a whole day of fishing ahead. Ron is on the right, getting the cooler ready for the day.
Here we are at the East Harbor dock, getting ready to go for an evening ride and do a little night fishing.
By day, when not fishing or tubing, we just rode around. Here's a few shots of the Perry International Peace Monument, (including one shot that we did not take ourselves) on South Bass Island, located at the point of Put-in-Bay. It honors Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry for his heroic efforts on September 10, 1813, during the War of 1812. Perry was a Naval Captain and fought a sea battle in Lake Erie against the the British, won the battle, and took control of the Great Lakes from the British. Perry's famous words are still with us when he said, 'Don't give up the ship!'" This monument houses the tallest open-air observation deck in the National Park System. On a moderately clear day all of the Lake Erie Islands and the Ohio, Michigan and Canadian mainlands can be observed. The U.S. - Canadian border, the longest unguarded international boundary in the world, is just five miles away.
Click Here for detailed information on the Perry International Peace Monument.
Here's a few shots of us on the Fearless Ski Biscuit! Sure is a fun way to spend a hot afternoon! Hang on TIGHT!
Here is my brother and I on one of our trips out with the boat. Ron is holding up about a 1lb smallmouth bass. I am holding up about a 3lb sheephead. Just our luck......
