South Bass Island State Park Campgrounds

About

South Bass Island State Park Campground provides a unique island camping experience on South Bass Island in western Lake Erie. As the only public campground at Put-in-Bay, it draws visitors seeking both natural beauty and proximity to the island's attractions. The campground sits steps from Lake Erie, offering a stone beach for swimming, a fishing pier, and fish cleaning station. Getting to the island requires a ferry ride from either Port Clinton or Catawba Island, and once there, visitors explore by golf cart or bicycle since cars are not permitted. The campground features approximately 125 non-electric primitive sites and 10 full hookup sites with electric, water, and sewer connections. Electric-only sites provide 30-amp service. Modern facilities include flush toilet restrooms, hot showers, a dump station, laundry facility, and camp store for supplies and snacks. Every campsite comes equipped with a picnic table and fire ring. Six cabins are also available, sleeping up to six people with electricity, air conditioning, and heating, though guests must bring their own bedding. This is one of Ohio's most popular campgrounds, and reservations are essential, especially for summer weekends. Booking opens six months in advance through ReserveOhio. The campground operates seasonally from April through mid-October, with cabins available for weekly rental from Memorial Day through late September. Pets are welcome at campsites but not in cabins. The park offers ADA-accessible facilities including paved pathways, ramps, and handicapped-accessible restrooms and fishing pier.

Directions

Take Miller Ferry or Jet Express ferry from Port Clinton or Catawba Island to South Bass Island. The campground is located at 1523 Catawba Avenue in Put-in-Bay. No personal vehicles are allowed on the island; rent a golf cart or bicycle at the ferry dock.