The Glacial Grooves – Kelley’s Island, Ohio
How often do you get to see something that is 18,000 years old? You can see something created by the great ice sheet which covered part of North America when you visit the Glacial Grooves on the north side of Kelley’s Island. It is the largest easily accessible such place to see the grooves in the world.
The solid limestone bedrock was scoured by the ice sheet. A trough 400 feet long, 35 feet wide and up to 10 feet deep are there for you to see today.
The Lake Erie basin was created by the hundreds of feet thick ice flow that went over the area. The Devonian limestone contains the grooves which contain marine fossils that are 350 to 400 MILLION years old. The sad thing is that many other grooves were quarried away during the last century.
The area is now protected by fencing. It is a National Natural Landmark. There is a walkway and stairs to permit visitors to get an excellent view of the grooves.
Hours: Open all year round during Daylight hours.
Admission is FREE
Location: Glacial Grooves is located on Kelley’s Island, Erie County, in Lake Erie 8 miles north of Sandusky. Ferries depart from Marblehead and Sandusky.
Note: The island is accessible by ferry from Marblehead daily (weather permitting) and from Sandusky during the summer season. Call the Kelley’s Island Ferry Boat Line at 419-798-9763 or Goodtime Island Cruises, Inc. at 419-625-9692 for ferry schedules.
Contact: Glacial Grooves
Ohio Department of Natural Resources 4049 East Moores Dock Road Port Clinton, OH 43452
Phone:
419-797-4530
How often do you get to see something that is 18,000 years old? During your package holidays in Egypt or somewhere in South Africa or Asia? You can see something created by the great ice sheet which covered part of North America when you visit the Glacial Grooves on the north side of Kelley’s Island. It is the largest easily accessible such place to see the grooves in the world.