Lake Erie Islands Stone Quarry Circuit
Island quarry crawling in Lake Erie
The abandoned limestone quarries on South Bass Island (Put-in-Bay) offer a unique off-road experience accessible only by ferry from the mainland. These century-old quarries, which supplied stone for Cleveland’s breakwaters, feature flooded pits, limestone ledges, and narrow quarry roads that wind between 40-foot walls of Devonian-era rock. The main circuit connects Perry’s Cave quarry to the South Shore quarry via the old tramway grade, passing through dense island forests where cars are outnumbered by golf carts.
Moderate difficulty requiring careful line choice over limestone shelves and around deep water pits. Ferry restrictions limit vehicle size, making this perfect for compact 4x4s and side-by-sides. Summer months offer the best ferry schedule, but spring and fall provide solitude on the island. No camping on the quarry sites, but nearby state park campgrounds are available. This geological playground combines Great Lakes island culture with legitimate rock-crawling challenges.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Rock |
| Features | Historic, Remote, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 12 mi / 19.3 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 630 ft |
| Best season | May-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Put-in-Bay, Ohio |
| Land manager | Private/Ohio State Parks |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Good |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Wrangler handle this without modifications?
A stock high-clearance 4WD will get through, but limestone slab sections are uneven and can be sharp on tires — all-terrain tires minimum, mud terrains preferred. Lifted rigs will have an easier time on the steeper quarry ledges, but it's not a dealbreaker if you're bone stock.
Is this trail accessible year-round or does Lake Erie winter shut it down?
Stick to May through September. Winter ferry service to South Bass Island is extremely limited or suspended depending on ice conditions, and wet limestone in freezing temps gets dangerously slick. Spring runoff can also flood lower quarry sections into early May.
Do you need a permit to run the quarry sections, and is there a fee?
Portions of this circuit cross private land and Ohio State Parks jurisdiction — contact the Put-in-Bay township office and Ohio State Parks ahead of your trip to confirm current access status and any required permits. Rules on private quarry sections can shift seasonally, so don't assume last year's info is still good.
What's the hardest part of this trail and what should I actually expect?
The toughest sections are the raw limestone slab climbs inside the abandoned quarry cuts — think broken, angled rock shelves with minimal traction on anything wet, combined with tight shelf roads where one edge drops into flooded quarry pits. It's not a death trap, but line choice matters and you can absolutely beach a rig if you're sloppy.
How do you actually get a vehicle to South Bass Island, and where does the ferry load?
You need the Jet Express or Miller Ferry out of Port Clinton or Catawba Island — both carry vehicles, but call ahead to book a vehicle slot, especially on summer weekends when spots fill fast. The ferry crossing is roughly 20-25 minutes, and you're limited to whatever fuel you bring since gas on the island is expensive and supply is limited, so top off on the mainland before you board.
Trail track
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