Glacial Grooves State Memorial
Kelleys Island, OH
The largest easily accessible glacial grooves in the world, cut into limestone by the ice sheets, with a walkway around them. Kelleys Island is reached by car or passenger ferry from Marblehead.
The Glacial Grooves are a state memorial on Kelleys Island in Lake Erie, Ohio: a glacier ground grooves into the limestone here. The grooves are about 120 metres long, roughly 11 metres wide and up to 3 metres deep. Lonely Planet calls them "the largest and most easily accessible grooves in the world"; sources give their age as roughly 18,000 to 30,000 years. The ice moved from the north across what is now the Lake Erie basin, and the limestone holds marine fossils, 47 different types according to Ideastream.
You view the grooves from a walkway and stairs. The site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Kelleys Island covers about 11.7 square kilometres and lies roughly 19 kilometres north of Sandusky; it is small enough to explore on foot or by bike.
Please work out in advance how to get to the island and whether access is restricted in some seasons.
- Nearest town
- Kelleys Island, OH
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 41.6155, -82.7078
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and October. Cold, short days in December–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Surf Campground and ResortMotorhome stopover5 mi from Glacial Grooves State MemorialMotorhomes
- East Harbor State Park CampgroundCampsite7 mi from Glacial Grooves State MemorialTentsCaravansWi-Fi
- Lighthouse PointMotorhome stopover9 mi from Glacial Grooves State MemorialMotorhomes
- Kamp KozyMotorhome stopover10 mi from Glacial Grooves State MemorialMotorhomes
- Cold Creek Trout CampMotorhome stopover12 mi from Glacial Grooves State MemorialMotorhomes
- KOA Bayshore CampgroundMotorhome stopover13 mi from Glacial Grooves State MemorialMotorhomesWi-Fi
All campsites in Ohio · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Glacial Grooves State Memorial?
Glacial Grooves State Memorial is in Kelleys Island, OH, at GPS 41.6155, -82.7078. It is about 6 mi from Lakeside.
Can you camp near Glacial Grooves State Memorial?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Kelleys Island State Park Campground, about 0 mi away; within 25 mi there are 35 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Glacial Grooves State Memorial?
Glacial Grooves State Memorial is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Lake Erie’s islands and lighthouses.
What is there to see near Glacial Grooves State Memorial?
Places worth a stop nearby: Marblehead Lighthouse (5 mi), Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial (6 mi), Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (53 mi) and The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation (55 mi).
When is the best time to visit Glacial Grooves State Memorial?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)