Kelleys Island boasts acres of protected areas, reclaimed land, and a pristine beach. According to a CNN article last summer, Kelleys Island offers one of America’s healthiest beach and lake getaways. All the nature vistas are open and free to the public.
At over four square miles, Kelleys Island is the largest American island in Lake Erie. Miles of scenic trails show off the island’s natural features. The island offers a variety of attractions, including camping, hiking, fishing, and boating as well as a winery and brewery. Most of the scenic features are on the north end of the island.
Kelleys Island is internationally known for its Glacial Grooves, the largest easily accessible groves in the world. While much of the grooves were quarried away, a 400 foot long groove remains, protected and fenced. Embedded in the grooves are thousands of fossils. A section of the grooves is on display at the Smithsonian Institution.
The North Shore Alvar on Kelleys Island is a horizontal exposure of nearly barren limestone or dolomite rock exposed by glaciers. A few specially adapted plants grow on the alvar, including the endangered bog violet. The alvar is one of the last remaining intact alvar communities in Ohio.
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History operates the 24 acre Scheele Preserve which protects the endangered rock elm trees. Wafer ash and prickly ash also grow on the preserve, which are the only two Ohio citrus-family trees. Birds love the area as well as birders during migratory season.
Horseshoe Lake is a rapidly aging lake with abundant plant, fish and aquatic life. Quarried from 1933 to 1940 the quarry houses a wide variety of fossils, birds, trees, and quarry ruins. Hiking around the lake gives a spectacular view of the quarry, showcasing trees, wildflowers and wildlife that have returned to reclaim the abandoned quarry.
Kelleys Island State Park is on the north shore of the island located within walking distance of the Glacial Grooves, the North Shore Alvar and the North Pond and a very clean beach where people still actually swim in the lake. The park has over 80 camping sites.
Inscription Rock has one of the finest examples of aboriginal art in the Great Lakes region. Research suggests that roving bands of Iroquoian peoples carved the rock after 1643. The rocks have suffered from exposure and the weather until the inscriptions have been almost completely obliterated. They are currently covered in an attempt to preserve what is left.
Anyone wanting to explore Ohio should become familiar with Kelleys Island.