One of the last things most people think of when they think of Ohio is island life. Few people realize that Ohio is actually home to more than a dozen natural islands, all differing in size, their number of inhabitants, and above-water presence (with the rise and fall of Lake Erie’s water levels). One of the most interesting is North Bass Island.

North Bass Island is one of the least inhabited and most peaceful of these islands. In fact, in 2000, it was home to just 13 permanent residents. Beautiful, quiet, and unbelievably peaceful, North Bass Island is a true hidden gem in Ohio. Take a look at some mesmerizing drone footage of the island via YouTube below.

Situated in the midst of Lake Erie, the island is an unincorporated community because of its small percentage of year round residents.

It takes a particular kind of person to stay on the island year round, but it's a gorgeous place to visit and travelers flock from far and wide to do so.

Also known as Isle St. George, the least developed of the Bass Islands is less than two miles from the Canadian border. In the quiet landscape you'll feel like you've left the country for real!

This beautiful, quiet island is home to a vineyard and North Bass Island State Park, which features 593 acres and even a lake house available for rentals. An important thing to keep in mind if you visit the island is that there are no businesses there, so you need to bring all your own food and supplies with you. Think carefully, you don't want to forget something important like toilet paper.

The vineyard on North Base Island is no ordinary wine making enterprise. It's a designated American Viticultural Area, meaning an area in the U.S. specifically designated for grape growing.

Settlers from Europe began this winemaking tradition in the mid 1800s and it's continued to this very day. The island is approximately one square mile and more than half of that is grape vines.

The island is accessible by private airplane or boat, but there is no ferry service or public dockage available.

Wildlife and nature enthusiasts will especially appreciate the serene solitude of this island. Primitive camping within the state park and fishing along the park's shoreline is permitted.

North Bass Island makes for an excellent day trip if you can charter a boat to get there, or if you own one yourself. You can enjoy hiking, picnicking, kayaking, and wildlife watching while on the island, and don't forget a visit to that exceptional vineyard.

Another option is to stay at one of the charming accommodations on the other Bass Islands and then boat over to North Bass during your visit. If you're not down for some primitive camping, that might be the way to go.

Check out the drone footage in the video below to get a virtual tour of this little-known Ohio island:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdHKUWkLJ_Y

Have you ever explored Ohio's Lake Erie Shores and Islands before? Have you experienced the sensational North Bass Vineyard? What's your favorite island in Ohio? Share your thoughts, photos and experiences with us in the comments below!