Kelleys Island - Glacial Grooves

Located adjacent to the Kelleys Island State Park Campground and Public Beach on the island’s north side, Glacial Grooves are the finest example of glacial scouring an scoring in North America and probably the world. The example shown here at about 430 foot in length, 15 foot deep, 35 foot wide and is only a small sample of the grooves that at one time extended into the lake. The remainder of the grooves was quarried, burned to make lime, and sold for limestone. Since 1923 the site has been protected and maintained by various state protective agencies and groups, and is currently under management by the Ohio Historical Society.

The deep grooves and markings were caused as the heavy glacial wall, which had rocks and boulders embedded in its base, moved south carving out the relatively soft island limestone. Embedded and very visible throughout the limestone is a multitude of fossils.

Encompassing Glacial Grooves are informative plaques with additional information about the grooves, the excavation of the grooves and on the surrounding area, known as the North Quarry. While walking around the grooves visitors can see the North Quarry Canyon which is accessible from the State Park Beach lower parking areas. A section of the grooves was cut away and shipped to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.

Last updated on July 31, 2006