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Ohio
52

Ohio State Parks

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USA Parks
Ohio
Northwest Ohio Region
Crane Creek State Park
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Crane Creek State Park Crane Creek Snow © Wes Weimer
Snow on the beach at Crane Creek SP
Crane Creek State Park Beach Trail © Wes Weimer
Northwest view from the Wildlife Beach Trail at Crane Creek SP.
Crane Creek State Park Crane Creek Driftwood © Wes Weimer
Snow-covered driftwood on the beach at Crane Creek SP.
Crane Creek State Park Crane Creek Beach © Wes Weimer
Northeast view from the beach at Crane Creek State Park.
Crane Creek State Park Crane Creek Marsh2 © Wes Weimer
View looking southwest from the parking area at Crane Creek State Park
Crane Creek State Park Crane Creek Estuary © Wes Weimer
Southerly view of the marsh at Crane Creek Estuary
Crane Creek State Park Crane Creek Marsh © Wes Weimer
The view southwest from Park Road 1 at Crane Creek State Park.
Crane Creek State Park Crane Creek Gulls © Wes Weimer
Gulls swoop and soar near the estuary of Crane Creek on the lake Erie shoreline
Crane Creek State Park Crane Creek Gull © Wes Weimer
A gull cruises the Lake Erie shoreline at Crane Creek State Park.
Crane Creek State Park scarlet tanager © Michael Greene
Crane Creek State Park © Michael Greene
Crane Creek State Park yellow warbler © Michael Greene
yellow warbler
Crane Creek State Park © Michael Greene
Crane Creek State Park © Michael Greene
Crane Creek State Park © Michael Greene
Crane Creek State Park © Michael Greene
Crane Creek State Park © Michael Greene
Crane Creek State Park © Michael Greene
Crane Creek State Park Red Dawn © Maggi Dandar
Crane Creek State Park Black Crowned Night Heron © Maggi Dandar
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CRANE CREEK STATE PARK
CRANE CREEK STATE PARK
13229 OH-2
Oak Harbor, Ohio   43449
(lat:41.6121 lon:-83.1886) map location

Phone: 419 898-0960
Located on the scenic shore of Lake Erie, Crane Creek State Park offers a vast freshwater marsh and spacious sandy beach for enjoyment. This coastal environment is home to more than 300 species of birds. Herons, waterfowl, warblers, gulls and the magnificent bald eagle make this park one of the best birdwatching areas in the country.
Nature of the Area
Crane Creek is located along the shores of Lake Erie, one of the largest freshwater bodies in the world. Lake Erie is the result of the massive ice sheets that entered Ohio during the ice age. As the ice melted, the area from Fort Wayne, Indiana to western New York was covered by a large lake. Eventually, the lake shrank in size as waters drained from the state leaving a vast area of swamps and marshes. The wetlands of the Crane Creek area are remnants of those ancient swamps.

These Lake Erie marshes provide food, shelter and nest sites for many species of waterfowl, birds-of-prey, songbirds and others. The bird population grows enormously during spring migration as weary migrants take refuge in the marsh and rest for a time before winging northward across Lake Erie into Canada. Known as one of the premier birdwatching areas in the country, it is not uncommon to observe more than one hundred species in a day's time. Throughout summer, swallows in flight delight the eye, while ducks, geese, coots and egrets are easily sighted in their natural habitat. In the winter, short-eared owls can be seen hunting over the open meadows and marshes. Careful observers may see the elusive bittern or horned grebe.

The Lake Erie shoreline provides one of the last strongholds of the bald eagle in Ohio. Several nesting pairs have been reported recently in the Crane Creek vicinity.

Numerous reptiles, amphibians, mammals, fish and insects inhabit the marshes including the fox snake, northern water snake, painted turtle, green frog, bullfrog, spotted salamander, raccoon, muskrat and a variety of wetland insects.
History of the Area
The Crane Creek area was originally part of the Great Black Swamp, an enormous flat plain 120 miles long and 30 to 40 miles wide. For many years, the swamp was a tremendous barrier to western settlement. In 1859, a law was passed providing for a system of ditches to drain the land. Eventually, after a period of intense lumbering and draining, the swamp nearly vanished as it became a major agricultural area. The area gained fame during the late 1800s as one of the best waterfowl hunting areas in the United States. Most of the land in the area was purchased by wealthy sportsmen, so that by as early as 1890, much of the wetland area was being operated for private shooting. By 1951, the entire 30,000 acres of marshlands along the Lake Erie shore from Toledo to Sandusky was under private club ownership.

In 1951, a total of 650 acres, which included a strip of marshlands and sand beach three miles long, was purchased by the ODNR Division of Parks and Recreation. The purchase was made in collaboration with the ODNR Division of Wildlife which purchased some of the marshlands behind the beach for the purpose of developing a public duck hunting area. A segment of the beach was opened to swimming in 1955.

Today, Crane Creek State Park comprises 79 acres of beach and marshlands adjoining the 2,600-acre Magee Marsh Wildlife Area and Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge. The park's name is borrowed from nearby Crane Creek which flows into Lake Erie just west of the park. Undoubtedly, the creek owes its name to the great blue herons and egrets--often misidentified as cranes--which are abundant in the marsh habitat.
Passes
Ohio does not have an annual pass and does not charge entrance fees to state parks.
FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES OVERVIEW
GeneralLand, acres79
 Water, acresGreat Lake
 Nearby Wildlife Area, acres2,600
Day-UseFishingyes
 Hiking Trail, miles1
 Picnickingyes
 Picnic Shelters, #1
 Swimming Beach, feet3,500
WinterSnowmobilingyes
 Ice Fishingyes
Swimming
A spacious 3,500-foot, sandy beach graces the shore of Lake Erie. Latrines and changing booths are provided.
Boating
Lake Erie offers unlimited opportunities for boaters. Marinas near the park offer access to the lake.
Fishing
Anglers will enjoy catches of walleye, yellow perch, bluegill, crappie, white bass, channel catfish and freshwater drum from Lake Erie, summer or winter. Controlled hunting is permitted on the adjacent Magee Marsh Wildlife Area. Waterfowl hunting is excellent in this area. A valid Ohio hunting and/or fishing license is required. All hunters and fishermen must comply with the rules and regulations established by the ODNR Division of Wildlife.



Picnicking
Tables and grills are scattered along the Lake Erie shoreline providing a scenic picnicking opportunity. One picnic shelter is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Trails
A one-half-mile boardwalk trail provides access to the many different habitats in the park. The wheelchair accessible boardwalk skirts several small ponds, winds through woodlots and borders open marshlands. Birdwatchers delight in the numerous avian species sighted along the trail.
Birding
The park, located in Ohio, offers a variety of birding options. It is known as one of the best places for observing migratory birds in North America with over 300 species recorded. The boardwalk trail through marshland provides excellent opportunities to spot waterfowl and shorebirds while woodland trails are ideal for spotting warblers during spring migration season. Birders can also visit the adjacent Magee Marsh Wildlife Area which hosts an annual Biggest Week In American Birding festival attracting enthusiasts from around the world.
Area Attractions
Encompassing 2,600 acres of wetland adjoining Crane Creek State Park, Magee Marsh Wildlife Area offers outstanding nature study areas and fishing access to Turtle Creek Bay. Controlled public hunting is permitted here.

The Sportsmen's Migratory Bird Center, located on the main entrance road to the 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 of the surrounding terrain.

The Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge borders th southwest portion of Crane Creek State Park. The largest federal wildlife refuge in the state, Ottawa NWR is one of the few nesting sites of the bald eagle left on the Great Lakes. More than 250 species of birds along with a variety of mammals, reptiles and insects have been found in the refuge.

There are two other state parks near Crane Creek. East Harbor State Park lies east just past Port Clinton via S.R. 2, and Maumee Bay State Park is 17 miles west of the park also via S.R. 2. Camping, fishing, swimming and boating opportunities exist at both parks, while Maumee Bay also provides a resort lodge, cabins, golf course and nature center. Louis W. Campbell State Nature Preserve in Springfield Township, Lucas County, is a 73-acre sedge meadow and beach ridge site. This scientific preserve can be accessed by written permit only by contacting the ODNR Division of Natural Areas and Preserves.

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
September 4 Such a treasure by Patricia s.Young
park review stars; one to five What a shame this once beautiful park has not been kept up. And has been closed since Covid hit. I have so many memories of Crane Creek from my childhood and adult. Every New Years day I walk the beach. I will miss these times.
July 28 great place for family
park review stars; one to five The parks belong to all of us evan the gov. so the money should always be there for the parks
August 3 Childhood memories by Amy A.
park review stars; one to five For most of my childhood, Crane Creek was a destination greatly anticipated. Several times a year, our dad would take us to swim, to walk the beach and trails, or just to take in the sights. From the observatory to the museum, from the beach to the trails, many happy memories were made here. We passed the tradition on to our sons when they were smaller, and now as adults they continue to enjoy all that Crane Creek has to offer. Thanks for the memories!
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Area Campgrounds
The Resort at Erie Landing
4495 Darr-Hopfinger Road
Port Clinton, OH
419-734-2460
Chet's Place
7154 West Harbor Road
Port Clinton, OH
419-898-1104
Inland Mobile Home Park
Inland Mobile Home Park
10655 W. State Rt 2, OH
Wooded Acre Campground
2232 County Road 106
Lindsey, OH
419-665-2414
Portage Cove Park And Marina Condominium
531 South Findlay Street
Port Clinton, OH
Area Fishing Related Businesses
Zunk's Sportsman Bait & Carry
9636 Jerusalem Rd
Curtice, OH
(419) 836-3713
Butch & Denny's Bait Shop
10408 Corduroy Rd
Curtice, OH
(419) 836-7351
Al Szuch Fishery-Live Bait
10950 Corduroy Rd
Curtice, OH
(419) 836-5264
Happy Hooker Bait Store
9688 W State Route 2
Oak Harbor, OH
(419) 898-9676
A-N-J Bait & Tackle
6797 W Lakeshore Dr
Port Clinton, OH
(419) 635-4436
Fenwick Marina
10195 W State Route 2
Oak Harbor, OH
(419) 898-7009
Maumee Bay General Store
7410 Jerusalem Rd
Oregon, OH
(419) 836-4049
Area Accommodations (over 20 miles away)
businesss listing main photo
Camp Patmos - Kelleys Island, OH
Conference Center
Week long youth camps. Located on the shores of Kelleys Island. Guests will learn to sail, wakeboard, waterski while enjoying the beauty of the Lake Erie island.
25.1 miles from park*
businesss listing main photo
Campgrounds
Enjoy Southeast Michigan's Best Family Camping experience at our clean, quiet, friendly campground. Jumping Pillow, WiFi, Paddle Boats, Minigolf, Swimming, Bicycling and more
46.5 miles from park*
Nearby Hotels
Booking.com

Directions
From Cleveland, Ohio: I-71 South to State Route 56 east (Mt. Sterling Exit) into Mt. Sterling, then State Route 207 South 5 miles.

From Columbus, Ohio: I-71 South to State Route 56 east (Mt. Sterling Exit) into Mt. Sterling, then State Route 207 South 5 miles.

From Cincinnati, Ohio: I-71 North to State Route 56 east (Mt. Sterling Exit) into Mt. Sterling, then State Route 207 South 5 miles.

From Toledo, Ohio: I-75 South to US Highway 33 South to I-270 South to I-71 South to State Route 56 east (Mt. Sterling Exit) into Mt. Sterling, then State Route 207 South 5 miles.

From Circleville, Ohio: Take Highway 22 West eight miles to Keyes Road. Turn right on Keyes to the stop sign. Turn right and then an immediate left onto Yankeetown Pike. Follow for approximately nine miles to the park entrance (on left)

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Ohio
52

Ohio State Parks

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