lake erie circle tour

• Overview & Introduction
• Lake Superior Circle Tour
• Lake Michigan Circle Tour
• Lake Huron Circle Tour
• Lake Erie Circle Tour
• Great Lakes Seaway Trail
• Other Circle Tours
• Illinois Tourism Info
• Indiana Tourism Info
• Michigan Tourism Info
• Minnesota Tourism Info
• New York State Tourism Info
• Ohio Tourism Info
• Ontario Tourism Info
• Pennsylvania Tourism Info
• Québec Tourism Info
• Wisconsin Tourism Info
• Technical Resources
• Circle Tour Signs & Graphics
• Official Contacts
• History of the GLCT
• All In-Depth Articles
• What's New?
• Site Map & Search
• Sources & Credits
• Corrections & Feedback
• Other Sites

Great Lakes Circle Tour

The initial impetus for the creation of this website was the 2014 Great Lakes Coastal Trails Conference held on May 15–16, 2014 in Saugatuck, Michigan. The content and focus of this website will continue to grow and change over time. The navigation tools provided, including the menus across the top of each page, should help you navigate through the website. More content and new information is always in the planning. Please check back regularly to see what has been added!

As always, visitor feedback, comments, corrections and suggestions are eagerly accepted. Follow the various links under the About This Site menu above for more on how to provide your welcomed feedback.

Thanks for visiting, Christopher J. Bessert Cartographer, GIS Specialist, Highway Historian, Webmaster

Copyright © 1997-2014 Christopher J. Bessert. All Rights Reserved.  |   [email protected]   |  Last updated Thursday, May 15, 2014 .

Lake Erie, Circle Tour - U.S.: A Tale of Two Worlds

Brian Shaney

Detroit. The name alone conjures up images of cars rolling off assembly lines, factories belching smoke, Henry Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler. In a word, industry.

First settled in 1701, Detroit (aka: Motor City) is one of the oldest metropolitan areas in the Midwest. Along with holding responsibility for the mass production of automobiles, Motown is also the birthplace of personalities as diverse as Soupy Sales, Eminem, Francis Ford Coppola, and Casey Kasem. Lying along the aptly named Detroit River, it’s a busy thoroughfare for commercial freighters passing through the Great Lakes. Lake Erie is just downstream. It’s undeniable that Detroit has had its share of ups and downs over the years, and while it may be the punch line in some unflattering jokes, the metropolis survives.

Let the Adventure Begin

As my 2010 Harley-Davidson 883R rolls through downtown on this early Sunday afternoon in July, the streets are mostly vacant. Crossing Woodward Avenue reminds me that, in three short weeks, a million or more car enthusiasts from around the globe will gather for the Woodward Dream Cruise, the world’s largest one-day automotive event. Detroit and the surrounding area certainly exude “car culture,” but for me, it marks the beginning of my two-wheeled circumnavigation of Lake Erie.

Heading out of town on I-75, I go by several large factories as well as the Enrico Fermi Atomic Power Plant, which sits on the shore of the lake. I make a stop in Monroe, where I pay a visit to the Vietnam Veterans Museum and Memorial. Unfortunately, the building is closed, but I am able to walk the outside area where commemorative plaques and two Huey helicopters are on display. Monroe bills itself as the “Home of General George Custer.”

Back on two wheels, I cross into Ohio and ride through the port city of Toledo. Positioned at the western end of Lake Erie, the municipality has in some ways mirrored Detroit. I move through quickly in little traffic, and just outside of Toledo, I join up with Route 2. With the sun on my back, I parallel the southern end of Lake Erie, the fourth largest of the Great Lakes. Beyond the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, the shore comes into view as I notice small marinas scattered by the roadside. Before long, I enter Port Clinton, a little town on the slope of a peninsula that jets into the lake. At the tip of that peninsula, Miller Ferry offers service to the unique village of Put-in-Bay. Located on South Bass Island, it is a popular tourist spot. Judging by the traffic in the area, it’s a great day for visitors.

There are no official road maps of the Lake Erie Circle Tour route, and most websites state: “just follow the signs.” I was skeptical of this at first, but I have to admit, there is no shortage of signage directing me. Departing Port Clinton I notice that the Lake Erie Circle Tour sign is accompanied by a second sign that reads “Coastal Ohio Trail.” On occasion, the two signs diverge; farther on, they are once again conjoined.

Motorcycle & Gear

2010 Harley-Davidson 883R

Helmet: Bell Arrow Jacket: Joe Rocket Sonic 2.0 Pants: Draggin’ Jeans Gloves: Joe Rocket Atomic 3.0 Boots: Bates Tactical Sport Side Zip

Just across the Sandusky Bay Bridge lies Sandusky. Slightly larger than Port Clinton, but no less quaint, the city is mostly asleep, and I rumble through the small lakeside towns of Huron and Vermillion before arriving in Sheffield Lake and the Lake Breeze Inn. After 171 miles, the inn will be my home away from home for tonight.

Shuffle off to Buffalo

After a great night’s rest, I pack the little gear I have, bid “adieu” to my hosts, and hit the streets. I’m excited to be back on the Harley and looking to reach Buffalo before nightfall. I do have a couple planned stops along the way, however. Lake Road leads me directly into downtown Cleveland and on to some villages where large Victorian and contemporary houses line the water. Home not only to the Indians and the Browns, Cleveland is also the home of rock ‘n’ roll. I stop for a photo op, and I can’t help but feel that Cleveland should give hope to other Rust Belt cities still trying to recover from an early ‘80s recession. Cleveland today appears as a clean, modern metropolis that beckons travelers near and far with plenty to see and do. It’s 10 a.m. on a Monday and the streets, while not exactly “bustling,” are alive. Construction abounds; a sure sign of even more to come.

Leaving the city behind, I again travel through several townships. Most notable are Geneva-on-the Lake and Ashtabula; the latter for its revitalized downtown area where I stop for lunch at the River’s Edge Diner and enjoy a great burger. Once back in the saddle with a full belly, I continue on as the pavement develops a little more character. I glide the (mostly) smooth blacktop through to Pennsylvania where the Coastal Ohio Trail signs are replaced by Great Lakes Seaway Trail signs. My time in the Keystone State is short, and once in Erie, I am reminded of the trials and tribulations of cities left behind following the deindustrialization in the last quarter of the 20th century.

Once across the New York state line, Hwy 5 gives me the good stuff. I open the throttle a little and dive into miles of wide, smooth, sweeping tree-lined blacktop as it traces the shoreline. Traffic has melted away and gone now are the tar snakes. Thank you, New York!

Account Options

• Toll Free: 1-800-347-7126
• Intl: 1-403-259-5447
• Agent Portal
• Online Check-in

Get RV Rental Pricing & Availability

• {{pickup.Value}}
• {{dropoff.Value}}
• {{country.CountryNameEnglish}}

Get RV Sales Pricing & Availability

• All RV Types
• {{rvType.Name}}
• All Locations
• {{location.Name}}
• {{sleepCapacity.Name}}
• {{maxPrice.Name}}

Lake Erie Circle Route

Route - 1550 km / 963 mi

Toronto to Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls to Long Point Provincial Park

Long Point Provincial Park to Point Pelee National Park

Point Pelee to Maumee Bay State Park (via Windsor-Detroit bridge)

Maumee Bay State Park to Kelleys Island State Park

Kelleys Island State Park

Spend another day exploring the island today.

Kelleys Island to Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Cuyahoga National Park to Cleveland

Cleveland to Lake Erie State Park

Lake Erie State Park to Niagara Falls (US Side)

Fourmile Creek to Toronto

Trip details, day 1: toronto to niagara falls.

Today's journey is just the beginning of your great adventure circling Lake Erie.

Head south-west on the QEW (Hwy 403) towards Hamilton. Niagara Falls is between one and two hours away, depending on traffic. If you'd prefer to travel only a short distance today, there are campgrounds en route to Niagara Falls , including a provincial park campground near Oakville, only 30km south of our Toronto location.

The QEW leaves Hwy 403 at Burlington and makes its way around Lake Ontario and past St. Catharines to Niagara Falls. Most of the campgrounds in the area are along Lundy's Lane. Plan to spend 2 full days here to enable you to experience all this town has to offer.

CanaDream Club Partners:

• Campark Resorts
• Jellystone Niagara Camp Resort
• Whirlpool Jet Boat Tour
• National Helicopters Niagara Grand Tour
• Niagara Helicopters
• Imax Theatre & Daredevil Exhibit
• Canada One Brand Name Outlets Niagara
• Oh Canada Eh! Dinner Show  

Days 2 to 3: Niagara Falls

What you decide to do during your stay in Niagara Falls will most likely depend on your personal interests. Begin with a visit to the stunning falls and, if you desire to see them from a greater height, consider a helicopter sightseeing tour with either Niagara Helicopters or National Helicopters. National Helicopters also offer a range of romantic tours for couples, including winery visits.

When night falls, Niagara comes alive in a different way. Lighting illuminates both the Canadian and American Falls, and on selected days from mid May until mid October, you can view fireworks over the Falls.

• WildPlay Niagara Falls

Day 4: Niagara Falls to Long Point Provincial Park

A full day of heritage and nature awaits as you cruise down the Niagara Parkway, hugging the shore and skirting the Niagara River until you arrive at Old Fort Erie and your first glimpse of Lake Erie itself. A word of caution – if you are planning to follow the Niagara Parkway and Lakeshore Road to Fort Erie, you will need to divert around the rail bridge as it’s too low for RVs to pass under (3.3M clearance) then rejoin Niagara Boulevard past the bridge.

After leaving Fort Erie, continue west through a number of quaint beach suburbs to Port Colborne. If it’s a sunny day, take a trip down to Nickel Beach, one of Port Colborne’s hidden treasures and perhaps take time out for a picnic, a swim or a stroll along the beach before continuing around the north shore to Rock Point Provincial Park.

If you’re a golfer, take a break at Turkey Point provincial park – the only provincial park with a golf course. Our choice for your overnight stay tonight however is at Long Point Provincial Park.

Day 5: Long Point Provincial Park to Point Pelee National Park

The fastest way to reach Point Pelee National Park is to head inland and join the 401. This route will, however take you away from many of the quaint towns and villages which are the essence of the North shore of Lake Erie. While the Coastal Trail doesn’t exactly follow the coast for much of it’s length, following it is a relaxing drive.

Follow Talbot Trail to Kent Bridge Road then turn off to Rondeau Provincial Park for a visit. After, continue along Talbot Trail towards Leamington and follow the signs to Point Pelee National Park. Point Pelee is the southernmost point of mainland Canada, located on a glacial spit that bites into Lake Erie.

It is possible to visit Pelee Island – a ferry service operates regularly from Leamington – check Ontario Ferries for details. Overnight at Point Pelee National Park Campground.

CanaDream Club Partners:

• Leisure Lake Cottage and RV Resort

Day 6: Point Pelee to Maumee Bay State Park (via Windsor-Detroit bridge)

Today you begin your exploration of the US sections of Lake Erie. If you're not in a hurry to get there, continue following the Coastal Trail to Amherstburg before skirting the Detroit River into Windsor. Amherstburg is a pretty city, sporting pristine English and contemporary gardens, family fun parks and great hospitality.

If you're in a hurry to reach Maumee Bay, join Highway 3, which will take you right to the Ambassador Bridge - the crossing point from Windsor into Michigan. The Ambassador Bridge will bring you into Michigan south of downtown Detroit. After passing through US border control, keep left and take the Fisher Freeway (Hwy 75) south. Look out for signs to the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfields Village if you wish to stop and visit.

After, head south on I75 bound for Maumee Bay State Park Campground. This State park is a great place to relax. A nature centre there is equipped with interactive displays, a research laboratory and viewing windows.

Overnight at Maumee Bay State Park.

Day 7: Maumee Bay State Park to Kelleys Island State Park

Today you’ll head to Marblehead Lighthouse State Park on 9 acres of land at the east end of the peninsula at the entrance to Sandusky Bay.

Take Hwy 2 south-east following the Lake Erie Coastal Ohio Trail signs branching off onto Hwy 163 (W Lakeshore Dr / W Harbor Road to Port Clinton.

The lighthouse, built in 1821 is popular with photographers and is the oldest lighthouse in continuous operation on the US side of the Great Lakes. Lighthouse Tours are offered during summer months. Picnic tables around the shoreline provide a pleasant place to enjoy the surrounding scenery.

From the Marblehead Lighthouse, return to Marblehead and look for signs to the ferry to Kelleys Island. During the summer months, ferries depart at least every hour. RVs can be carried on the ferry. We suggest you pre-book your campsite at Kelleys Island State Park. Once on the Island, consider touring the world famous Glacial Grooves. If you’re energetic, rent a kayak and paddle around the island. Hike the North Pond Trail or bike the East Quarry Trail.

There’s so much to do on the island that you might like to plan a two-night stay here.

Overnight at Kelleys Island State Park Campground.

Day 8: Kelleys Island State Park

Kelleys Island, known as Lake Erie’s Emerald Isle, is a fascinating destination for nature enthusiasts, and a relaxing retreat for vacationers. The island is renowned for its unique geological, ecological, and archaeological features, and popular for its recreational offerings and picturesque landscapes. The 677-acre state park is located on the northern shores of the island. Here you can find sandy beaches, caressed by the gentle waves of Lake Erie, enticing you in for a swim.

For the more adventurous, enjoy summer diving among the many shipwrecks in the area or go sea kayaking and experience Lake Erie's ever changing moods.

Day 9: Kelleys Island to Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Take the ferry back to Marblehead then continue east on 163 to E Bayshore Road and on to Sandusky. Downtown Sandusky has some beautiful historic buildings and an historic waterfront to wander around. If you decide to spend the day at Cedar Point, you should allow approximately two hours to reach Streetsboro from Sandusky or add an extra day to your itinerary and continue exploring the south Erie lakeshore before heading further east.

If you decide to skip Cedar Point, continue along the Lake Erie Coastal Ohio Trail to Huron and Vermilion and explore these areas.

Tonight’s destination is slightly inland from the Lake but worth the detour. Look out for interesting villages as you make your way south-east on back country roads towards Cuyahoga National Park. Stop in Olmsted Falls and take time to wander through David Fortier River Park and view the covered pedestrian bridge spanning the Rocky River.

The area around Cuyahoga Valley National Park is dotted with vineyards and you might like to call into one or two to sample some of the excellent wines produced here.

There is no camping for RVs in the park but there are a number of good RV parks in close proximity.

Day 10: Cuyahoga National Park to Cleveland

Welcome to Cleveland. Take in a football game or a behind the scenes stadium tour or watch a baseball game. Or, visit the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. The West Side Market is a favourite place for shopping fresh produce and the Great Lakes Science Center is a must visit if you have kids.

Day 11: Cleveland to Lake Erie State Park

Feel free to spend more time today in Cleveland before continuing along the Great Lakes Circle Trail to your overnight stop at Lake Erie State Park. Your journey today will take you from Ohio, across the northern tip of Pennsylvania and into New York State.

Along the way, there’s ample time to explore. There are more pretty towns you may like to visit along the route including Geneva on the Lake, a resort community developed over 130 years ago.

Once you cross over into Pennsylvania, continue along Highway 5 to Erie Bluffs State Park. This is the largest undeveloped stretch of Lake Erie shoreline remaining in Pennsylvania. The park has one mile of shoreline, 90 foot bluffs overlooking Lake Erie, fishing, picnicking, hiking, canoeing and kayaking. 15 km further east, take time out to visit Presque Isle State Park, Pennsylvania’s only seashore.

The coastal route continues on for another 20 miles to the New York border. Vineyards and wineries are abundant. From here it’s only a short hop to Lake Erie State Park, your overnight destination.

Day 12: Lake Erie State Park to Niagara Falls (US Side)

Niagara Falls on the American side, is less than 2 hours away as you continue along the coast trail towards the city of Buffalo. The coastal route will eventually bring you onto highway I90, across Grand Island and into Niagara Falls. The prime viewing area for the American Falls and Rapids is Prospect Point, which is also home to the Visitor Center, Niagara Adventure Theatre and the Observation Tower.

After experiencing the Falls from the American side we recommend you head north on the Robert Moses Parkway then join 18F at Lewiston to follow the Niagara Gorge to Youngstown and Fort Niagara State Park. Camping is available at nearby Fourmile Creek State Park. Advance reservations are recommended during July and August.

Day 13: Fourmile Creek to Toronto

Today marks the end of your Lake Erie Circle Tour. Allow between 1-2 hours for the drive back to Toronto on the QEW Highway.

Plan to spend a couple of days in the Toronto area after dropping off your RV. We'd be happy to drop you at Lester B Pearson Airport so you can catch the airport shuttle downtown or arrange a taxi for you. Toronto is a vibrant city with lots to do and see. Take a helicopter tour over the city, visit the observation deck at the CN Tower, take a one hour cruise on Lake Ontario, step back in history at Casa Loma - the possibilities are endless.

• Toronto Helitours
• Gray Line of Toronto
• Haunted Walks Inc.
• Toronto Harbour Tours
• Mariposa Cruises
• Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
• Making Waves Boatel
• Yorkdale Shopping Centre
• Real Canadian Superstore
• Stay Inn Etobicoke
• Canada’s Best Value Inn
• Best Western Plus Travel Hotel Toronto
• Holiday Inn Express & Suites Toronto
• Goreski’s Landing Resort
• Shady Acres Cottage and RV Resort
• North Shore RV Park
• Quinte’s Isle Campark
• Kingston Walks
• Ganagoque Boat Line
• 1000 Islands Helicopter Tours
• 1000 Islands Ivy Lea KOA

Other Itineraries in Ontario

Michigan Highways: Since 1997.

• Introduction
• Michigan's Route Systems
• Michigan's Route Markers
• Master List 1913-Present
• Historical Overview
• The History of Roads in Michigan
• Act 51 of 1951
• Who Maintains the Highways?
• Related Links
• Individual Route Listings
• Routes 10-19
• Routes 20-29
• Routes 30-39
• Routes 40-49
• Routes 50-59
• Routes 60-69
• Routes 70-79
• Routes 80-89
• Routes 90-99
• Routes 100-119
• Routes 120-139
• Routes 140-159
• Routes 160-179
• Routes 180-199
• Routes 200-229
• Routes 230-249
• Routes 250-696
• Business 2-31
• Business 32-94
• Business 96-496
• County Route Systems
• Intercounty Highways
• Intercounty A-2 - C-81
• Intercounty D-19 - H-15
• Intercounty H-16 - H-63
• Unsigned Trunklines

Great Lakes Circle Tours

• Forest Highways
• Pure Michigan Byways (Heritage Routes)
• Polar-Equator Trail
• Other Routes
• All In-Depth Articles
• Michigan Left
• Diagonal Highways
• Controlled-Access Highways?
• Memorial Highways
• M-35 & Henry Ford
• National Highway System
• Historic Auto Trails
• Zilwaukee Bridge
• US-31: Berrien County
• US-31: Ottawa County
• What's New?
• Site Map & Search
• Sources & Credits
• Site History
• Corrections & Feedback
• Other Sites

Michigan Highways > Other Routes > Great Lakes Circle Tours

The links below lead to specific information and precise routings for each of the Circle Tours:

Lake Erie Circle Tour

With the shortest length of any of the Great Lakes Circle Tours in Michigan, the Lake Erie Circle Tour runs through only two counties in Southeast Michigan. The LECT enters from Ohio and departs for Ontario only fifty miles later.

Lake Huron Circle Tour

From Port Huron to Sault Ste Marie, the Lake Huron Circle Tour enters both of Michigan's peninsulas and crosses the Mackinac Bridge. This Circle Tour is the only one of the four which only enters two jurisdictions—Michigan and Ontario.

Lake Michigan Circle Tour

The Lake Michigan Circle Tour enters both peninsulas and crosses the Mackinac Bridge, like its cousin the LHCT. However, the LMCT is also the longest of the the Circle Tour routes within Michigan and is also the only one which, in its entire distance, does not leave the US.

Lake Superior Circle Tour

The first official Great Lake Circle Tour, the Lake Superior Circle Tour has roots which stretch back decades when tourism associations in Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Ontario promoted the route.  

Additional Information

• Great Lakes Circle Tour – new website (under cosntruction) from the author of MichiganHighways.org.
• Great Lakes Circle Tour: Project Archive – project archive from the Great Lakes Commission . It was the GLC who originally helped establishe the Great Lakes Circle Tours, however as of the early 2020s, the Commission has seemed to have abandoned the concept and no longer supports the Circle Tours in an active manner.
• History of the Lake Michigan Circle Tour (link now dead) – from the West Michigan Tourist Association (WMTA). The WMTA helped to coordinate the first of the Great Lakes Circle Tours in the 1980s.
• The 6,500-mile Great Lakes Circle Tour (archived) – an overview article from The Fishwrapper.