15 Best Beaches in Ohio

Author Anietra Hamper is an Ohio native and expert on the best places to visit in the state, including where to relax on the beach.

It is no surprise that most people do not think of Ohio when they daydream of hitting the beach, but the Buckeye state holds some hidden surprises for Midwesterners who want to relax on the sand and do not have time to travel to a more tropical destination.

The closest ocean beaches to Ohio are in Ocean City, Maryland; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; and Virginia Beach, Virginia. While those are top driving destinations for Ohioans for summer beach vacations, they are still nine to 10 hours away by car.

The 312 miles of Lake Erie shoreline on Ohio's northern border boasts some of the most visited beaches in the state, which you can reach with a short ferry ride from Sandusky to Kelleys Island, for a true Midwestern version of an island beach getaway.

While many Ohioans and visitors from nearby states, like Pennsylvania and Michigan, flock to the Lake Erie region for the Ohio beach scene, nearly all of the 75 Ohio State Parks have public beaches. While you will not hang 10 on ocean waves in Ohio, you will find plenty of safe and clean freshwater beaches to enjoy a day in the sun.

Find the best places to visit by the water with our list of the top beaches in Ohio.

Headlands Beach

Highlights: Ohio's largest natural sand beach, sand dunes, beach glass hunting opportunities

The natural sand beach at Headlands Beach State Park in Mentor is the largest beach of its kind in Ohio, making it one of the most popular. It is a mile in length and the largest natural beach in the state. The unique plant species that thrive on the beach will make you think you are somewhere along the Atlantic Coast.

The natural landscape is one of the most picturesque in the state as it sits adjacent to the Headlands Dunes State Nature Preserve. The many conveniences available to visitors, like dumpsters, several restroom facilities, and designated picnic areas, are what help keep the beach in pristine condition.

Headlands Beach is just a few miles from all the attractions of Cleveland, so you can make a weekend out of it.

Address: 9601 Headlands Road, Mentor, Ohio

Alum Creek

Highlights: The largest inland beach in Ohio, easy access to public amenities and food

Alum Creek is the largest inland beach in the Ohio state park system and possibly the most popular public beach in central Ohio. With a 3,000-foot beachfront and on-site amenities, it draws many families in the summer, making it one of the top lakes for outdoor recreation in the state.

There are designated swimming areas, beach volleyball courts, picnic tables, and snack vendors. The bathhouse has showers and changing areas.

Alum Creek State Park is just a few miles away from Delaware and North Columbus where there is plenty of lodging. There are many close restaurant options to satisfy your post-beach appetite.

Address: 3305 S. Old State Road, Delaware, Ohio

Geneva State Park Beach

Highlight: A great family beach that is pet-friendly

The sandy beachfront at Geneva State Park in northeast Ohio is a top vacation spot on the Lake Erie shores. The scenic beach is kid- and pet-friendly, with picnic pavilions available for lunch in the shade. There are nearby hiking trails and a departure point for fishing charters.

The Geneva-on-the-Lake beach in the state park is conveniently close to the other attractions along the main one-mile tourist area in this old-school beach town. The Geneva-on-the-Lake village looks untouched by time over the last 60 years.

After a day trip to the beach, a hot dog and fresh squeezed lemonade next to the jukebox at Eddie's Grill is a must.

Address: 4499 Padanarum Road, Geneva, Ohio

Old Field Beach

Highlight: Designated swim area sectioned off from the main waterway for people arriving from land and by boat

One of the best quick beach visits in Ohio is at Old Field Beach at Indian Lake. There are two public inland beaches at Indian Lake, but Old Field Beach is the most popular. The beach is clean and comfortable. The sandy beachfront has plenty of space, with modern facilities like picnic shelters and restrooms.

The swimming areas are located near the docking point for boaters and jet-skiers who stop by for a swim. Unless you are staying at the campground cabins at Indian Lake State Park, your closest modern accommodations are chain hotels in Bellefontaine.

The beach conveniences and nearby restaurants make it easy to spend a full day on the sand and enjoy the lake sunsets and frequent summer evening concerts. Oldfield Beach is only an hour from Columbus and is one of the closest beaches to Cincinnati.

Address: 13156 State Route 235 N., Lakeview, Ohio

Kelleys Island State Park Beach

Highlights: Adjacent nature preserve, coveted spot to find beach glass on the Lake Erie shoreline

Kelleys Island State Park Beach is one of the most popular beaches on the shores of Lake Erie. While it is not the largest shore option, with only a 100-foot stretch of sand, it is one of the most pristine and beautiful spots to spend the day at the water. Its particular geological limestone landscape and surrounding nature preserves are what regularly draws visitors.

This kid-friendly beach has a gradual water depth, and kayaks are available for rent, making it easy to spend a full day on the sand. If you collect beach glass, it is one of the best places to find it on the Lake Erie shores. While there are a couple of places to stay on Kelleys Island, like the campground yurts, lodging is sparse.

A better option is to stay near all the attractions of Put-in-Bay on South Bass Island, or on the mainland in Sandusky and hop on the Jet Express ferry and visit Kelleys Island for a day trip.

Address: 920 N. Division Street, Kelleys Island, Ohio

Huntington Beach

Highlight: Park surrounding the beach with walking trails and picnic areas

One of the best beaches in northern Ohio near Cleveland in Bay Village is Huntington Beach. The beach is part of the Huntington Reservation, which is part of the Cleveland Metroparks. The recreation area includes a public swimming beach on the shores of Lake Erie.

The beach has changing areas and restrooms, as well as grills and picnic tables for dining in the park. There is also a concession stand. You can rent a cabana or beach chairs for the day on-site. The park that surrounds the beach is nice, too, with walking and hiking trails.

Address: 28649 Lake Road, Bay Village, Ohio

Burr Oak Lake

Highlight: Ample opportunities to see Ohio wildlife and migrating birds, including bald eagles

The inland beach at Burr Oak Lake is a man-made lake in Glouster, Ohio with a small public beach. It is a tucked-away gem perfect for swimming. The 500-foot sand beach is surrounded by nature and waterfowl within Burr Oak State Park.

The pristine and quiet beach provides a unique serenity and front-row seat for nature lovers to observe Ohio's colorful trees, migrating birds, and even an occasional bald eagle. The beach has public facilities and sand volleyball courts and is also a popular lake for boating and kayaking.

Address: 10220 Burr Oak Lodge Road, Glouster, Ohio

Maumee Bay State Park Beach

Highlights: One beach on the Lake Erie shoreline and an inland beach suitable for kids and families

Maumee Bay State Park has two public beaches that are conveniently located near the Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center and park activities. One beach is located on the shores of Lake Erie, offering great swimming in the designated areas, with restrooms and showers available.

The other beach is an inland beach, which is ideal for families and children to spend a day by the water without the worry of changing conditions on the open lake. Restrooms and showers are nearby.

To extend the beach day, you can take advantage of the many trails located throughout the state park, and picnic with the tables and grills near the beaches.

Address: 1400 State Park Rd, Oregon, Ohio

Euclid Beach

Highlight: The Euclid Beach Live summer concert series on the waterfront

Many Ohioans know Euclid Beach near Cleveland for Euclid Beach Live, the summer series of concerts along the waterfront and pier. Long before its present-day popularity, the beach was part of the historic Euclid Beach Amusement Park, which closed in 1969.

Euclid Beach has beautiful views of Lake Erie and is a nostalgic vacation spot for beach-goers. The 650-foot public beach is a nice way to spend a day in northern Ohio. There are picnic areas near the water and a pier, which is a nice spot to enjoy the sunsets.

Address: 850 Euclid Creek Parkway, Euclid, Ohio

Nickel Plate Beach

Highlight: Many non-traditional, but fun, activities available like beach ping pong and corn hole

Nickel Plate Beach is one of the largest public swimming beaches in the Huron region in northern Ohio. It is located just east of the Huron River. The 12-acre beach has soft sand, volleyball courts, playground equipment, and perfect water for swimming. Pack a lunch to enjoy at the picnic shelter and tables or bring hamburgers to cook on the grills located on-site.

Pack your own bean bags or ping-pong paddles and balls to take advantage of outdoor ping-pong tables and cornhole boards. You can also rent paddles and balls from the gate attendant. Kayak, paddleboard, and beach equipment rentals are available from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

This is a pet-friendly beach, with great views of the Huron Lighthouse in the distance. Lodging in nearby Huron is easy with plenty of options, including bed and breakfasts and hotel chains.

Address: Nickel Plate Drive at Tiffin Avenue, Huron, Ohio

Cedar Point Beach

Highlight: The beach is located at the Cedar Point Amusement Park with easy access to lodging, food, and entertainment

Cedar Point is known mostly for its thrilling, world-class roller coasters, but tucked away on the Lake Erie playground is Cedar Point Beach. While the beach does not get as much attention as the coasters, it was one of the first attractions for Cedar Point more than 150 years ago.

The one-mile beachfront is a comfortable place for families to enjoy the Lake Erie breeze and challenge other beachgoers to a spontaneous game of sand volleyball. In addition to swimming in the Lake Erie waters, you can enjoy the beach from a kayak or paddleboard, both available to rent on the boardwalk.

Summertime at the beach includes nighttime beach parties with beach games, music, extended park hours, and fireworks.

The beach is exclusively available to Cedar Point Amusement Park, Soak City waterpark, Cedar Point Resort's guests, and season and platinum passholders.

Address: 1 Cedar Point Drive, Sandusky, Ohio

Salt Fork

Highlight: In Ohio's largest State Park, easy access to other outdoor activities like hiking and fishing

The expansive 2,500-foot inland beach at Salt Fork State Park in southern Ohio is one of the largest in the state. Salt Fork is also the largest state park in Ohio, so there is plenty of hiking, fishing, and boating to do on-site.

While the beach is popular, it is not overcrowded and provides a number of designated swimming areas. There is a bathhouse at the beach with restrooms, showers, and lockers for convenience before and after your day in the sun.

Nearby picnic tables and grills make it easy to pack a lunch, or you can grab a bite at the beach snack bar.

Address: 14755 Cadiz Road, Lore City, Ohio

East Harbor State Park Beach

Highlight: The nearby marshlands are home to many waterfowl species

The beach located in East Harbor State Park is a popular beach on Lake Erie near Marblehead. The 1,500-foot sandy beach draws thousands of families and beachgoers every year. There are beach conveniences like a bathhouse with showers and changing stalls.

There are picnic areas next to the beach with great views of the water and the marshlands that are unique to this section of Lake Erie. You can spend some time in the shade looking for the waterfowl that are drawn to the particular habitat in this region.

Many people who visit stay at the campgrounds or find lodging nearby at Port Clinton and drive to the beach for the day. It is worth packing your tennis shoes to explore some of the other features of East Harbor State Park, like the hiking trails, naturalist programs, and the Marblehead Lighthouse located just east of the park.

Address: 1169 N. Buck Road, Lakeside-Marblehead, Ohio

Turkey Creek Lake

Highlight: The surrounding state forest landscape and some of the most beautiful scenery in southern Ohio

Though not the most tropical name, Turkey Creek Lake has swimming areas surrounded by some of the most stunning landscapes in the state. Located in southern Ohio in the Shawnee State Park near the Ohio River, the lake is popular with swimmers and boaters.

Since the region is located in the Appalachian foothills and away from major cities, it is best to stay at the Shawnee Lodge within the state park and enjoy the beach along with other outdoor recreation like hiking. The beach at Turkey Creek Lake is one of two swimming areas in the park each with picnic areas for a day in the sun.

Address: 4404 State Route 125, Portsmouth, Ohio

Conneaut Township Park Beach

Highlight: Boardwalks that connect the beachfront, pavilions, and parking areas

In the far northeast corner of Ohio is the pristine Conneaut Township Park Beach with Lake Erie swimming. The sandy public beach has swimming and playground areas. There is a concession stand and picnic tables if you pack your own lunch.

The park that surrounds the beach has plenty of recreation, with sand volleyball and horseshoe courts. The Lake Erie waterfront is scenic, so you can take advantage of the boardwalks and gazebo near the beach to just enjoy the breeze and natural surroundings.

Address: 480 Lake Road, Conneaut, Ohio

Best Time to Visit Ohio Beaches:

The best time to hit Ohio's beaches is during the summer months of June, July, August, and even into September, when temperatures can continue to sizzle long after public pools have closed after the Labor Day weekend. Late-season warm temperatures mean extended beach time in the Buckeye state.

The beaches along the Lake Erie shoreline and on the islands of South Bass (home of Put-in-Bay) and Kelleys Island in the northern part of the state are some of the most popular in the summer, with the warmest water temperatures for swimming. Temperatures during the summer months average highs in the 80s and 90s (Fahrenheit) in northern Ohio, and warmer the farther south you go in the state.

Rainfall is common in June and July, which are the wettest months of the year, but the good news is that many of Ohio's best beaches are located within state parks or near towns where you can find something else to do while you wait for the sunshine to return.

More Related Articles on PlanetWare.com

Other Places to Visit in Ohio: If you enjoy Ohio beaches, you will want to review our other articles on outdoor adventures in the state that feature activities like zipling, fishing, and great places to hike in national and state parks. As you explore Ohio, you will stumble upon new places to visit, like some of the small towns, which take you to areas like Amish Country; Hocking Hills in southern Ohio; and along the northern reaches of the Lake Erie shoreline, where you may want to return for a weekend getaway.