How far are you willing to go? Have you been up to the islands on lake erie?

Not too far. Other family members want to visit Rock n'Roll Hall of Fame. There will be a few children too 8-11 age range. Was wondering about state parks in that area also. What is the distance from the islands to Cleveland and what kind of activities are there? Any other suggestions for things to do in the general vicinity?

If you go to Cedar Point to the amusement park, i think they let the campers in earlier than the waiting throng, so you can get on some of the rides, and not have to wait an hour. but, you have to camp there the night before! Very nice place.
West of there, up along the lake, are the islands area. We found "Camp Runnin' Muck" there, but i think there are other camps there, too. Lots to see by car, if you want to drive around the area.
by: Rustyj

Hi Heather...sorry this took long, lurked and finally joined the garden web..

try Punderson State Park (east of Cleveland)- close but far enough away from downtown Cleveland - it's about a 40 minute drive to the Rock Hall and also within driving distance of Geauga Lake - another amusement park that Cedar Point owns, used to be owned by Six Flags. Cedar Point is a little too far if you want to hit downtown Cleveland. Just do a Google for Ohio State Parks. Back about 5 years ago we stayed at Punderson when my oldest had to go to summer school - back and forth, waiting at home then back to the park. I live in Garfield Hts. - a suburb of Cleveland. D

Ohio State parks are terrific, as it's an award winning state park system. Punderson is good (East of Cleveland.) East Harbor (west of Cleveland, by Sandusky) is the biggest in the state and is our personal favorite because of all the area activities offered. Aside from the campground amenities (playground, beach on Lake Erie and a terrific nature center) there's lots in the neighboring community. There's Cedar Point, of course, but in all of our camping with our kids, we've never gone there with them...they're too young and it's too expensive. On Marblehead peninsula (where East Harbor SP is) there's a brand new outdoor water park (Monsoon Lagoon), a drive-through African Safari and zoo, the usual mini-golf/go-cart/arcade type places, a really great county visitor's center that's like an interactive museum (kids loved it), a lighthouse to tour, and of course access to the ferry that will take you up the the islands for even more activities.

There's also a Yogi Bear Jellystone campground in Aurora, (south west of Cleveland) close to Geauga Lake park. It's a pricey campground, and does draw a lot of RV campers, but it does have a dedicated primitive area for tent. I don't know what it's like.

Was wondering if you know anything about West Branch state park?

I've never been to West Branch. I had to look it up to find it...it's a smaller state park campsite, but recently upgraded, so I'm sure it's got nice facilities. It's about an hour from downtown Cleveland, about 20 miles east of Akron. Nice country area.

I did notice that they don't have a "pets only" camping area. Don't know if that makes a difference to you.

I've been to West Branch, two years ago, while the renovations were going on. Mozy, they do have pet areas, only one section is pet free. We drove thru last September after all the upgrading was done. It's great - shower house has individual "bathrooms" with doors! A little changing area, then the shower.
two washers, two dryers in each shower house, a dish washing station - stainless steel on the outside of the shower house, probably for cleaning fish also. The section along the lake is nicely shaded but taken up quickly, but State Parks now take reservations for most of the sites.

Goose53,

Thanks for correcting me. I did mean to write there was not a "pet free" area (not a "pets only"), but as you pointed out, I was in error.

The online reservation system for Ohio State parks is TERRIFIC!!! I made my reservations today for our trip in July to East Harbor. :)