South Bass Island--Massie Cliffside Preserve

South Bass Island--Massie Cliffside Preserve

Massie Drive Put-In-Bay, Ohio 43456

Official Website
South Bass Island Official Website
South Bass Island State Park website

Also, see all the hotspots at:
Lake Erie Western Basin Important Bird Area

About this Location

This eleven-acre shoreline parcel on the East Point of South Bass Island includes cliff habitat and a great dock for fishing. It was purchased with Clean Ohio Conservation Funds, Coastal Estuarine Land Conservation Program, private donations, and landowner donations in 2015.

Four acres of adjacent woodland were added to the property with a purchase from Len and Connie Knam in March 2016.

Dedicated August of 2016, it has a trail system to link visitors from the OH-357 parking lot all the way to the lake for bird-watching, walking, photography, and nature study.

About South Bass Island

See all hotspots at South Bass Island

The 1,588-acre South Bass Island is only eclipsed by Kelleys Island in size among the Ohio Lake Erie islands. It receives the heaviest visitation of any island in the lake, Ohio, or otherwise, thanks to the popular Put-in-Bay community. The year-round residents only number about 130, but their ranks are swollen by thousands of visitors from April through October.

As with the nearby islands, birding can be fabulous on South Bass Island, especially during migration when the trees can be full of songbirds. Tourist traffic is also lighter in early to mid-May and September when migrant numbers and diversity peak. The island is too large to readily cover by foot, but golf carts can be rented, or autos can be brought over via ferry.

Restrooms at South Bass Island State Park and Perry’s Memorial.

Content from Official Website and South Bass Island Official Website