Presque Isle State Park

Gorgeous nature at Lake Erie's JEALOUSLY Guarded Jewel.

I had a lovely week here recently, the park staff and rangers are excellent, especially in looking out for natural hazards, water quality, safety (I was here water sampling as well). It's an impressive look at the level of nature for foreign and regional tourists getting a view of the Great Lakes for the first time. There is a caveat :

The underage staff of lifeguards are poorly trained, with a strangely entitled attitude which may leave visitors from the region or Atlantic coast beaches perplexed. There is a disrespectful and juvenile attitude towards older adults, with an odd authority complex in general bemusement to the swimmers. Expect to be penned into small areas with children in 3-4 foot deep water, rules are somewhat arbitrarily enforced and not posted about swimming within an area of traffic cones, which are moved in a progressively shrinking space through the day. There was so much whistle blowing about perceived transgressions of boundaries (by adults), gum chewing and whistle twirling - I thought I had stumbled into a small neighborhood pool in a city. Liability is fine, however the letter of the state law should be enforced without creating an atmosphere of tension

If you are used to an Atlantic beach, where lifeguards as simply on lookout for actual safety, do not expect the chance to swim beyond a bathing session. Additionally, parents are the ones who bring their children to the beach and are the prime authority for their safety : they should not be treated like children themselves by a 17 year old. Adults should venture further out to areas 9, 10, 11 looking to look for a quieter experience.

At the end of the last day, I witnessed a 50 year old man jump in the water after the guards had just left duty for the evening. He lead a charge into the water yelling "I can do what I want" and "I just don't care" bringing with him his children, and enticing clapping from the people on the beach, literally no joke. The young lifeguard folded and stormed off the beach. Plan accordingly, LOL. I wouldn't want this place to turn into Myrtle beach either, the opposite, however some adjustments need to be made in the administration of the...

My whole family loves going here! We enjoy fishing either in the bay or on the lake, swimming as well. Perfect place for a picnic, bike riding, catching some rays, going on a boat tour, checking out the light houses etc. We are always seeing alot of different wildlife too. Thankful that the speed is posted with them in mind. A few weeks ago, the person in the lane next to us was going a little faster than he should've been & we almost watched a whole turkey family get wiped out. We were surprised & let out a huge sigh of relief, including the driver, when the babies & mama were able to finish crossing the road!! (If the turkeys were half a second slower, it would've been a terrible outcome!) Restrooms are located at different areas through the park along with areas to shower. I know there's a playground located by the ponds & also a nice newer one located at beach 11. There's a few different walking trails that go through the woods, so it's always a good idea to dress properly & use bug spray that works on ticks. I believe there's signs that say some areas are highly populated tick areas. Always a good idea to check yourselves when you get home to make sure there's none on you. Dog friendly as long as your dog is leashed & you clean up after it. ATTN: PARK RANGERS! Please educate your rangers/workers on the monarch butterfly! I had a ranger lecturing me about helping monarch caterpillars, saying they've done just fine by themselves for thousands & thousands of years, they don't need our help & people need to not get involved, that mother nature will take care of it. I was honestly shocked at what I was hearing! I badly wanted to say even my 10 year old knows that the monarch isn't doing fine, not when it's so close to being put on the endangered...

Pressure Isle State Park has been a go to spot since I was a child traveling RT19 (because I79 didn’t exist), with my family in my father’s station wagon with my two brothers and three sisters. I remember as a kid traveling to Waldimere Park to ride the rides, today, the park is still going strong. Then in my teens, my father, his buddy and I visited the Isle during the winter, what a site to see. I’ve never personally seen the waves frozen like white sand dunes for as far as you can see. Then as a 20 something, my buddies and I visited the Presque Isle bar, which was torn down and is now condos. Then my most recent memories were taking our old Lab, Dakota, to swim in the lake. There are certain beaches which are dog friendly. BUT, if you take your pet, please be respectful and clean up, feces in the water ends up closing the beaches. Yes, that’s correct, some of the beaches will be closed for this reason so check the website before you venture up. Our latest venture was for our current Lab, Wrigley. Wrigley was spoiled and after swimming in the lake for hours on end catching a frisbee, he was treated to a burger, hotdog and an ice cream cone treat. I know but rest assured, we watch his diet, but everyone deserves a treat every once in a while.

Take your family whether young or older and go make your...