Summertime can be one of the most exciting times in the Buckeye State, especially when spent at one of the beautiful beaches in Ohio! There’s so much fun in the sun to be had, whether at one of Ohio’s lakeside beaches and swimming holes. The following 10 swimming beaches in Ohio have some of the clearest, most pristine water—and they’re some of our all-time favorite beaches and lakes in the Buckeye State. They just might be some of the best swimming holes and beaches in Ohio.
- Tappan Lake
Wikimedia Commons Near a restored Indian village at Shoenbrunn State Park in Deersville, Tappan Lake serves as a popular swimming, boating and camping destination. The water is simply beautiful here. Address: 84000 Mallarnee Road, Deersville, OH 44693 Tappan Lake, Ohio, USA
- Salt Fork Lake Beach
ohiostateparklodges.com One of Ohio’s most beloved state parks is home to one of the state’s most peaceful lakes in Guernsey County. The designated swimming area here is perfect for a day of family fun. Address: 14755 Cadiz Road, Lore City, OH, 43755 Salt Fork Lake, Ohio, USA
- Cedar Point Beach
shoresandislands.com It’s no secret that the shores of Ohio’s Great Lake are pristine, but you’d be surprised how many people don’t know about Cedar Point Beach in Sandusky. After a day (or two) of roller coaster mania, relax on the shores of Lake Erie at this beautiful beach. Address: 1 Cedar Point Drive, Sandusky, OH, 44870 Cedar Point Beach, Cedar Point, OH 44870, USA
- Kelleys Island State Park Beach
Eve Hermann/Flickr Tucked away on the north side of Kelleys Island is a secluded and lovely 100 ft. stretch of sand and a beach perfect for wading waist-deep in Lake Erie. Address: 920 Division Street, Kelleys Island, OH, 43438 Kelleys Island, OH 43438, USA
- Lakeview Park Beach
Rona Proudfoot/Flickr Another gorgeous lake in Ohio, Lorain County’s beloved beach features a summer concert series, beach volleyball, the historic Rose Garden, a nearby cafe and even stand-up paddle board lessons. Address: 1800 West Erie Avenue, Lorain, OH, 44052 Park Avenue, Park Ave, Lakeview, OH 43331, USA
- Headlands Beach State Park
Janet Moore-Coll/Flickr While Lake Erie is home to more than 30 beautiful beaches, Headlands Beach State Park in Mentor stands out among the rest. It is the largest natural sand beach in Ohio, and it features the Fairport Harbor West Breakwater Lighthouse, a beloved local landmark. The water is gorgeous, and the photo opportunities are endless. Address: 9601 Headlands Road, Mentor, OH, 44060 Headlands Beach State Park, 9601 Headlands Rd, Mentor, OH 44060, USA
- Maumee Bay State Park Beach
Becker 1999/Flickr This half-a-mile-long beach in Oregon, Ohio, features an amphitheater for special entertainment, an inland lake for smoother swimming, a large inflatable water slide, beach volleyball and boat rentals. Address: 1400 State Park Road, Oregon, OH, 43616 Maumee Bay State Park Beach, Oregon, OH 43616, USA
- Buck Creek State Park Beach
emma.kate/Flickr This popular camping destination in Springfield features a 2,400-foot sand beach. It’s a pristine place to soak up the sun on a hot summer day. Address: 1976 Buck Creek Lane, Springfield, OH, 45502 Buck Creek State Park Beach, 22003000070001007, Springfield, OH 45502, USA
- Mineral Springs Lake Resort
Mineral Springs Lake Resort Peebles Ohio/Facebook Tucked away in Adams County, you’ll find the hidden gem of Mineral Springs Lake, a picturesque lake fed by natural spring water that’s loaded with nature’s healthy minerals. Address: 160 Bluegill Road, Peebles, OH, 45660 Mineral Springs Lake Resort, 160 Bluegill Rd, Peebles, OH 45660, USA
- Punderson State Park Lake
Punderson State Park This beautiful 150-acre natural lake in Ohio features a small swimming beach within Punderson State Park that’s perfect for taking a serene dip. Address: 11755 Kinsman Road, Newbury Township, OH, 44065 Punderson State Park, 11755 Kinsman Rd, Newbury Township, OH 44065, USA
What do you think are the best swimming holes and beaches in Ohio? Let us know!
Wikimedia Commons
Near a restored Indian village at Shoenbrunn State Park in Deersville, Tappan Lake serves as a popular swimming, boating and camping destination. The water is simply beautiful here. Address: 84000 Mallarnee Road, Deersville, OH 44693
Tappan Lake, Ohio, USA
ohiostateparklodges.com
One of Ohio’s most beloved state parks is home to one of the state’s most peaceful lakes in Guernsey County. The designated swimming area here is perfect for a day of family fun. Address: 14755 Cadiz Road, Lore City, OH, 43755
Salt Fork Lake, Ohio, USA
shoresandislands.com
It’s no secret that the shores of Ohio’s Great Lake are pristine, but you’d be surprised how many people don’t know about Cedar Point Beach in Sandusky. After a day (or two) of roller coaster mania, relax on the shores of Lake Erie at this beautiful beach. Address: 1 Cedar Point Drive, Sandusky, OH, 44870
Cedar Point Beach, Cedar Point, OH 44870, USA
Eve Hermann/Flickr
Tucked away on the north side of Kelleys Island is a secluded and lovely 100 ft. stretch of sand and a beach perfect for wading waist-deep in Lake Erie. Address: 920 Division Street, Kelleys Island, OH, 43438
Kelleys Island, OH 43438, USA
Rona Proudfoot/Flickr
Another gorgeous lake in Ohio, Lorain County’s beloved beach features a summer concert series, beach volleyball, the historic Rose Garden, a nearby cafe and even stand-up paddle board lessons. Address: 1800 West Erie Avenue, Lorain, OH, 44052
Park Avenue, Park Ave, Lakeview, OH 43331, USA
Janet Moore-Coll/Flickr
While Lake Erie is home to more than 30 beautiful beaches, Headlands Beach State Park in Mentor stands out among the rest. It is the largest natural sand beach in Ohio, and it features the Fairport Harbor West Breakwater Lighthouse, a beloved local landmark. The water is gorgeous, and the photo opportunities are endless. Address: 9601 Headlands Road, Mentor, OH, 44060
Headlands Beach State Park, 9601 Headlands Rd, Mentor, OH 44060, USA
Becker 1999/Flickr
This half-a-mile-long beach in Oregon, Ohio, features an amphitheater for special entertainment, an inland lake for smoother swimming, a large inflatable water slide, beach volleyball and boat rentals. Address: 1400 State Park Road, Oregon, OH, 43616
Maumee Bay State Park Beach, Oregon, OH 43616, USA
emma.kate/Flickr
This popular camping destination in Springfield features a 2,400-foot sand beach. It’s a pristine place to soak up the sun on a hot summer day. Address: 1976 Buck Creek Lane, Springfield, OH, 45502
Buck Creek State Park Beach, 22003000070001007, Springfield, OH 45502, USA
Mineral Springs Lake Resort Peebles Ohio/Facebook
Tucked away in Adams County, you’ll find the hidden gem of Mineral Springs Lake, a picturesque lake fed by natural spring water that’s loaded with nature’s healthy minerals. Address: 160 Bluegill Road, Peebles, OH, 45660
Mineral Springs Lake Resort, 160 Bluegill Rd, Peebles, OH 45660, USA
Punderson State Park
This beautiful 150-acre natural lake in Ohio features a small swimming beach within Punderson State Park that’s perfect for taking a serene dip. Address: 11755 Kinsman Road, Newbury Township, OH, 44065
Punderson State Park, 11755 Kinsman Rd, Newbury Township, OH 44065, USA
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Swimming Holes in Ohio June 13, 2019 April Dray Where is the bluest water in Ohio? There are several quarries that could arguably have the bluest water in the state of Ohio. White Star Quarry in Gibsonburg is a little-known diving resort and swimming area, where the water is a jaw-dropping, deep blue. Nelson Ledges Quarry Park in Garrettsville, is a family-owned and operated park that features a stunningly beautiful blue water quarry where you can swim, scuba, snorkel and camp. Does Ohio have any manmade swimming holes? There are several swimming lakes in Ohio, both natural and manmade. Many natural swimming holes in Ohio are tucked away in state parks along hiking trails, but most of these areas prohibit swimming. The best swimming areas in Ohio are lakeside, manmade water parks such as Longs Retreat Family Resort in Latham and Clay’s Park Resort in North Lawerence. These swimming areas feature manmade sandy beaches, water slides, splash pads and other fun amenities. Do I need to look out for algae blooms in Ohio? Yes, however, many lakes and beaches in Ohio are clean and safe to swim in. What are the best beaches in Ohio? It’s difficult to determine what the best beaches in Ohio are. The best sandy beach in Ohio is at Headlands Beach State Park in Mentor. Headlands Beach is the largest natural sand beach in Ohio and it’s a little more than a mile long. Do any Ohio beaches have waves? There are several Lake Erie beaches along the coast of northern Ohio with small waves. The waves are usually not large enough for surfing, however.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Swimming Holes in Ohio
June 13, 2019
April Dray
Where is the bluest water in Ohio? There are several quarries that could arguably have the bluest water in the state of Ohio. White Star Quarry in Gibsonburg is a little-known diving resort and swimming area, where the water is a jaw-dropping, deep blue. Nelson Ledges Quarry Park in Garrettsville, is a family-owned and operated park that features a stunningly beautiful blue water quarry where you can swim, scuba, snorkel and camp. Does Ohio have any manmade swimming holes? There are several swimming lakes in Ohio, both natural and manmade. Many natural swimming holes in Ohio are tucked away in state parks along hiking trails, but most of these areas prohibit swimming. The best swimming areas in Ohio are lakeside, manmade water parks such as Longs Retreat Family Resort in Latham and Clay’s Park Resort in North Lawerence. These swimming areas feature manmade sandy beaches, water slides, splash pads and other fun amenities. Do I need to look out for algae blooms in Ohio? Yes, however, many lakes and beaches in Ohio are clean and safe to swim in. What are the best beaches in Ohio? It’s difficult to determine what the best beaches in Ohio are. The best sandy beach in Ohio is at Headlands Beach State Park in Mentor. Headlands Beach is the largest natural sand beach in Ohio and it’s a little more than a mile long. Do any Ohio beaches have waves? There are several Lake Erie beaches along the coast of northern Ohio with small waves. The waves are usually not large enough for surfing, however.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
There are several quarries that could arguably have the bluest water in the state of Ohio. White Star Quarry in Gibsonburg is a little-known diving resort and swimming area, where the water is a jaw-dropping, deep blue. Nelson Ledges Quarry Park in Garrettsville, is a family-owned and operated park that features a stunningly beautiful blue water quarry where you can swim, scuba, snorkel and camp.
Does Ohio have any manmade swimming holes?
There are several swimming lakes in Ohio, both natural and manmade. Many natural swimming holes in Ohio are tucked away in state parks along hiking trails, but most of these areas prohibit swimming. The best swimming areas in Ohio are lakeside, manmade water parks such as Longs Retreat Family Resort in Latham and Clay’s Park Resort in North Lawerence. These swimming areas feature manmade sandy beaches, water slides, splash pads and other fun amenities.
Do I need to look out for algae blooms in Ohio?
Yes, however, many lakes and beaches in Ohio are clean and safe to swim in.
What are the best beaches in Ohio?
It’s difficult to determine what the best beaches in Ohio are. The best sandy beach in Ohio is at Headlands Beach State Park in Mentor. Headlands Beach is the largest natural sand beach in Ohio and it’s a little more than a mile long.
Do any Ohio beaches have waves?
There are several Lake Erie beaches along the coast of northern Ohio with small waves. The waves are usually not large enough for surfing, however.
