Even though we’re miles from the ocean, there are still some amazing beaches in Ohio. Some are beautiful Lake Erie beaches while others are found on various lakes across the state. You can enjoy a day in the sun and sand and even go boating. So, check out the list below for details on the best beaches in Ohio, then pack up your towel and sunblock and head out for some fun in the sun this summer!

Note: As usual, contact information is provided. Please call to confirm hours and pricing, or check the websites listed before planning your trip. Before you head to the lake, be sure to check out the Ohio Department of Health website to see there are any beach advisories.

Alum Creek State Park Beach

Located in Delaware, OH, this Columbus area beach is one of the largest inland beaches in the state with 3,000 feet of sand to enjoy. Amenities include restrooms, outdoor showers, a changing area, sand volleyball, and beach vendors.

The beach is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day during the daylight hours only and although dogs/pets are not allowed on the swimming beaches, the park does offer a dog park and beach just for your pets. FREE admission. 

Alum Creek State Park
3615 S. Old State Rd., Delaware, OH 43015
Website

Atwood Lake Park Beach & Landzedge Water Park

As part of a beautiful privately owned park on Atwood Lake, visitors can relax and swim from the wide, sandy beach and enjoy a floating obstacle course water park. The beach and water park is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Atwood Lake Park
9500 Lakeview Rd. NE, Mineral City, OH 44656
Website

Baylor Beach Park

This park features a two-acre waterpark and swimming lake with a gradual sloping entrance and sandy bottom. Amenities include water slides, shallow-end water activities, and sand volleyball. Paddle boats, aqua bikes, and Funyak rides are available for an additional fee.

The water at the man-made lake is chemically treated and spring-fed daily. Season opens Memorial Day Weekend. Daily Rates for little ones ages 2 and under are FREE, ages 3 and up: $15 on weekdays and $17 on weekends. 

Baylor Beach Park
8777 Manchester Ave. SW, Navarre, OH 44662
Website

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Catawba Island State Park

Catawba Island State Park is one of 5 Lake Erie Island parks and is a small, quiet place to fish, boat, and enjoy Lake Erie beach views. The park offers a wide cobblestone beach area for relaxing and wading which also serves as a launch for kayaks and canoes.

Amenities include two large covered picnic areas, modern restrooms, 4 free boat launch ramps, and a fishing pier. FREE admission. 

Catawba Island State Park
4049 E. Moore’s Dock Rd., Port Clinton, OH 43452
Website

Conneaut Township Park

Conneaut Township Park is a 60-acre park on the shores of Lake Erie. The quarter-mile-long beach area includes a long boardwalk connecting the beach to the parking areas, a concession stand, a wide sandy beach, and acres of outdoor activity including swimming, searching for beach glass, and a large variety of sports including basketball, bocce ball, pickleball, and more. 

The park also hosts a variety of events each year including their very popular annual D-Day re-enactment in August. Gates are open seasonally, April 1-November 15, from 7 am to dusk. FREE admission.

Conneaut Township Park
480 Lake Rd. (State Route 531), Conneaut, OH 44030
Website

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East Harbor State Park

This Lake Erie beach park is located on the quiet shores of Marblehead and features a 1,500-foot sand beach with a large open swimming area, changing area, showers, concession stand, picnic benches, walking trails, lake and marsh fishing, a bike lane, and more. 

The park also includes one of the largest campgrounds in the state park system with electric, primitive, and camper rentals available. FREE admission.

East Harbor State Park
1169 N. Buck Rd., Lakeside-Marblehead, OH 43440
Website

Edgewater Park (at Lakefront Reservation)

Edgewater Park is the westernmost park in Cleveland Metroparks Lakefront Reservation and features 9,000 feet of shoreline with both family and dog-friendly beaches. Enjoy treats at the concession stand and take in the amazing Lake Erie Sunsets and panoramic views of downtown the city.

In addition to Lake Erie beach access, the park offers a variety of activities and amenities including cabanas/chairs and other rentals, lifeguards on duty, hiking, a fishing pier, kayak access, a boat launch, picnic areas, grills, restrooms, and more. Don’t forget to snap a picture with the ‘Cleveland’ sign while you’re there! FREE admission. 

Edgewater Park
6500 Cleveland Memorial Shoreway, Cleveland, OH 44102
Website

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Euclid Beach Park

Euclid Beach Park is part of the Cleveland Metroparks Euclid Creek Reservation and offers 650 feet of swimming beach with picnic areas and a lifeguard on duty during the summer months.  

Visitors can also take in beautiful Lake Erie views from the park’s observation pier, search for remnants of the amusement park from the area’s past, as well as enjoy hiking, biking, fishing, and more outdoor activities and attractions the reservation has to offer. Remember to get a photo with the ‘Cleveland’ script sign while you’re there! FREE admission. 

Euclid Beach Park
16301 Lakeshore Blvd., Cleveland, OH 44110
Website

Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park

Featured in Coastal Living Magazine as the best beach in Ohio, this Lake Erie beach offers beautiful views and a variety of activities. Open year-round with lifeguards on duty Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.

The sandy bottom beach has a gradual slope to the water’s entrance and offers a concession stand, restrooms, playground, harbor view boardwalk, walking trails, and more. For fun, check out the park’s webcam on their website before you go. FREE admission. 

Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park
301 Huntington Beach Dr., Fairport Harbor, OH 44077
Website

Geneva State Park Beach

This Ohio State Park includes a 300-foot sandy swimming beach on the shores of Lake Erie. Amenities include restrooms, shelters, picnic tables, and beach rentals. In addition to beach access, the park offers paved walking trails with shoreline views, marsh and wetland views, boating, fishing, camping, and more. FREE admission. 

Geneva State Park
4499 Padanarum Rd., Geneva, OH 44041
Website

Headlands Beach State Park

As the largest natural sand beach in Ohio on 35 acres in Mentor, this beach offers picturesque views, a concession stand, restrooms, a boardwalk with wheelchair access, a picnic area with grills, and lifeguards on duty during the summer season. 

The park also offers unique beach glass hunting, biking and hiking trails, fishing, and more. Open early for visitors to enjoy Lake Erie sunrise and sunsets. FREE admission. 

Headlands Beach State Park
9601 Headlands Rd., Mentor, OH 44060
Website

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Hinkley Spillway Swimming Area

As part of the Cleveland Metroparks, the 90-acre Hinckley Reservation offers a unique and refreshing swimming area. Kids and adults alike enjoy playing and wading in the spillway area inside this beautiful park. Concession stand and restrooms are available.

In addition to the swimming area, Hinckley Reservation includes picnic areas with grills, lake kayaking, a variety of outdoor activities, and acres of walking and hiking opportunities including Whipps Ledges and Worden’s Ledges. FREE admission. 

Hinkley Spillway Swimming Area
Located on Bellus Rd. and East Dr. in Hinckley Reservation
Website

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Huntington Beach

Located in Bay Village and part of Cleveland Metroparks, Huntington Beach is a beautiful place to swim, sunbathe, and take in amazing Lake Erie Views. The park offers a covered picnic pavilion, paddling access, restrooms, and lifeguards on duty during the summer months.  In 2023, Cleveland Metroparks added a large natural play area for kids.

Visitors will also find several hiking trails and scenic overlook views of Lake Erie close to shopping and other area attractions. FREE admission. 

Huntington Beach
28649 Lake Rd., Bay Village, OH 44140
Website

Kelleys Island State Park Beach

Located on the north bay of Kelleys Island, this calm water 150-foot sandy beach is a relaxing place for families to relax, swim, build castles, and enjoy the lake access while visiting the island. 

In addition to swimming, the beach offers a double-lane boat ramp and kayak launch with rentals available in the summer months. The state park also offers camping, walking/hiking trails, fishing, and viewing and learning areas of the island’s glacial grooves. FREE admission. 

Kelleys Island State Park Beach {Find Out More}
920 Division St., Kelley Island, OH 43438
Website

Kim Tam Park at Melanie Springs

Also known as Lake Kim Tam, this inland swim park lake has a sandy beach with a concrete entrance, diving boards, a slide, concessions, beach rentals, camping, and more. Visitors are welcome to bring their own pool floats with a quick inflate air compressor on site.

Open for the summer months, starting Memorial Day Weekend. Admission charge for a single-day pass with season passes available.

Kim Tam Park at Melanie Springs
2881 Canton Rd., Uniontown, OH 44685
Website

Lake Cable Beach

If you’re looking for a local, hidden gem for summer fun, Lake Cable Recreation Association in Canton, OH, offers memberships and day passes to a private beach on the beautiful 150-acre lake. 

The family membership includes access to the private beach, concession stand, and a variety of recreational sports. Check their website for details and membership information.

Lake Cable Beach
5725 Fulton Rd. NW, Canton, OH 44718
Website

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Lakeshore Park Ashtabula

Lakeshore Park in Ashtabula is a beautiful place to enjoy Lake Erie views with a day of beach fun. The sandy beach amenities include a concession stand, picnic pavilion, restrooms, and more.

The park also hosts a variety of outdoor activities with a free public boat ramp, bait shop, bocce ball court, frisbee golf, duck pond, playground, and a long list of popular events and activities. FREE admission.

Lakeshore Park Ashtabula
1700 E. 1st St., Ashtabula, OH 44004
Website

Lakeview Park

The beach at Lakeview Park is the perfect spot for swimming, sunbathing, and enjoying the spectacular views of Lake Erie. Lorain County Metro Parks’ first lakeside recreational park, guests can relax on the sand while children play on the playground. During summer hours, lifeguards are on duty daily from noon until 6 pm. An updated Bathhouse includes family changing rooms, showers, and a concession stand. The park also offers kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddle boarding, beach volleyball, and a lawn bowling court. FREE admission. 

Lakeshore Park 
1800 W. Erie Ave., Lorain, OH 44052
Website

Maumee Bay State Park Beach

This beautiful Toledo area State Park is 1,336 acres of natural fun and hosts two sandy beaches — one on Lake Erie and a second on the park’s large, calm, inland lake. With modern restrooms available across the park you can swim, sunbathe, walk, hike, kayak, sail, or bike all day long.

The beach and park also feature a concession stand, changing rooms, 2 miles of boardwalk paths, a golf course, lodge stays, camping, and more. FREE admission with rentals and extras available. 

Maumee Bay State Park
1400 State Park Rd., Oregon, OH 43616
Website

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Nickel Plate Beach

This Ohio beach is located on the shores of Lake Erie less than 10 miles from Cedar Point Amusement Park. With a large sandy beach and a variety of outdoor activities, it is a fun place to take in the sun and Lake Erie views when visiting the area. 

Amenities include portable restrooms, changing rooms, picnic areas with grills, beach volleyball, beach rentals, a playground, and more. Paddleboards, kayaks, large float devices, and beach gear can be rented. Open Memorial Day through Labor Day. Daily parking fee is $6 per vehicle (cash only; season parking passes available).

Nickel Plate Beach
1 Nickel Plate Dr., Huron, OH 44839
Website

Pleasant Hill Lake Park Beach & Landzedge Water Park

This 850-acre inland lake park offers a sandy swimming beach and a floating obstacle course water park.

In addition to water fun, the park offers a variety of camping and cabin rental opportunities, fishing, boating, playgrounds, hiking and horse trails, and a variety of outdoor sports. Open Memorial Day Weekend with hourly, daily, and special event passes available. 

Pleasant Hill Lake Park
3431 OH-95, Perrysville, OH 44864
Website

Salt Fork State Park Beach

Salt Fork State Park Beach is a 2,500-foot inland sand beach that offers an opportunity for swimming, sunbathing, wading, or just a beautiful place to cool off when visiting or camping at the park. Amenities include restrooms in the parking area, changing rooms, outdoor showers, picnic tables, and a concession stand.

In addition to one of the largest inland beaches in Ohio, the park offers camping and many outdoor activities including hiking, fishing, hunting, boating, brindle trails, a dog park, and more. Beach FREE, public, and open during daylight hours only. 

Salt Fork State Park
14755 Cadiz Rd., Lore City, OH 43755
Website

Tappan Lake Park Beach

Located on the banks of the beautiful Tappan Lake visitors will find several marked areas for swimming including a sand beach open Memorial Day through Labor Day from 11 am to 7 pm. 

Amenities include changing rooms, a picnic pavilion, concessions, and restrooms. In addition to swimming, Tappan Lake Park offers camping and cabin options with boat rentals, playgrounds, trails, and many outdoor activities. Gate fee admission is required: $5 per single-occupant vehicle, $10 for 2+ occupants.

Tappan Lake Park
84000 Mallarnee Rd., Deersville, OH 44693
Website

Wallace Lake Park Beach

Wallace Lake Beach is a sand beach on the park’s 17+ acres inland lake. Amenities include a concession stand, restrooms, picnic benches, and Lifeguards during the summer months. 

As part of Cleveland Metropark’s Mill Stream Reservation, visitors will find additional amenities, activities, and outdoor sports nearby including boat rentals, fishing, hiking, rope courses, and more. Check the website for details. FREE admission. 

Wallace Lake Beach
213 Prospect Rd., Berea, OH 44017
Website

West Branch State Park Beach

West Branch State Park offers a 700-foot sand beach with a beach house, restrooms, outdoor showers, vending, and picnic tables with grills. 

Visitors can also enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities including boating, camping, disc golf, fishing, hunting, hiking and bridle trails, and a dog park with a pet-friendly swimming pond. FREE Admission. 

West Branch State Park
5570 Esworthy Rd., Ravenna, OH 44266
Website

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