Best Beaches in Ohio
Searching for the best Ohio beaches to visit on your next day trip or vacation? Well, you are in the right place! The Buckeye State may not be the first place that comes to mind for a beach getaway, but I found that its Lake Erie shoreline is home to some surprisingly beautiful spots! Having explored the region for four weeks, I’ve found that Ohio’s beaches offer a mix of relaxation, family-friendly fun, and scenic views that make them well worth a visit.
I’ve enjoyed sandy stretches perfect for swimming and sunbathing, peaceful parks where the sunsets are unforgettable, and lively waterfronts with plenty of activities. From hidden gems to popular summer escapes, Ohio’s beaches have something for everyone. Here are the ones I recommend, and I hope you’ll enjoy them too.
1. Headlands Beach
I fell for this quintessential lakeside beach with its broad sandy expanses, bordered by gentle dunes and the Headlands Dunes State Nature Preserve!
Just a quick 30-minute drive from Cleveland, I think Headlands Beach is one of the best beaches in Ohio. Why? The mood here was unhurried and restorative. I walked along the mile-long sandy shoreline (the longest in Ohio!). I checked out the historic Fairport Harbor Lighthouse nearby, climbed its tower for panoramic views, and strolled into the harbor town for fish fry dinners and ice cream cones. We also ate at nearby Pickle Bill's Lobster House.
- Location: On the southern shore of Lake Erie in northeast Ohio, near Mentor
- Map & Directions
- Best Time to Visit: Weekdays in summer for smaller crowds
What I loved best:
I adored walking on the trails of the adjacent preserve, watched migratory birds.
2. Cedar Point Beach
This has to be one of my favorite beach escapes in Ohio because it offers calm when you want it, and thrills when you don’t mind the adrenaline!
We drove about 1 hour west from Cleveland to Sandusky, home to Cedar Point, “The Roller Coaster Capital of the World.” In addition to the thrill rides, the resort also has a mile-long Lake Erie beach that’s been welcoming visitors since 1870. We spent two care-free nights at 3-star Hotel Breakers. I lounged in a cabana with views of the water, then later darted off for a two hours in the park. Families built sandcastles, paddleboarders skimmed the shoreline, and couples lingered at sunset with Cedar Point’s skyline behind them.
- Location: Along the Lake Erie shoreline in Sandusky, Ohio, situated on the Cedar Point Peninsula adjacent to the Cedar Point Amusement Park
- Map & Directions
What I loved best:
Watching my son enjoy the beach!
A downside? You have to pay for parking. In addition, Hotel Breakers sells out quickly because of its location so you have to book early.
3. Maumee Bay
While we were based in Toledo this month, I loved visiting this 1,336-acre stretch of shoreline, and it quickly became my favorite Ohio beach just outside Toledo!
If you want to totally unplug, settle into the 3-star Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center for a weekend, a lakeside retreat where we appreciated having a balcony overlooking the water. Start your days with sunrise walks along the boardwalk trail, relax at the beach and end the day with roasting marshmallows by the campfire.
If you get bored of the beach, hop over to Toledo and check out Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo Zoo & Aquarium, National Museum of the Great Lakes, Imagination Station, and the wonderful Toledo Botanical Garden.
- Location: On the southwestern shore of Lake Erie near Toledo, Ohio, within Maumee Bay State Park
- Map & Directions
- Maumee Bay website
What I loved best:
I loved that the park combines beach, marsh, and meadow, the best of Ohio's natural wetlands.
4. Edgewater Beach
This is one my favorite beaches to relax on when I'm in Cleveland! I adore the lively urban shoreline that blends city energy with lakeside calm. In addition, the beach is broad and sandy, with sweeping views of Lake Erie’s horizon on one side and the Cleveland skyline rising on the other, so you couldn't wish for a better view!
Just minutes from downtown, I settled in for an afternoon that felt like a quick mini-vacation. The park came alive with families grilling at picnic shelters and cyclists cruising along the Cleveland Lakefront Bikeway that completely won me over.
- Location: On the Lake Erie shoreline in Cleveland, Ohio, within Edgewater Park
- Map & Directions
- Edgewater Beach website
What I loved best:
I think Edgewater Beach is one of the best city beaches in Ohio. Why? Because it offers the perfect blend of urban convenience and waterfront escape.
I checked out the Edgewater Pier, and enjoyed skyline views, my personal favorite.
5. Catawba Island State Park
This beach won me over because it's such a peaceful lakeside retreat, tucked along the shores of western Lake Erie.
We drove about 1 hour 20 minutes west from Cleveland to Catawba Island State Park, a 10-acre gem on the Lake Erie shore. Despite its name, it’s actually a peninsula rather than an island, but it’s long been a launching spot for fishing trips into the lake’s western basin. 2-star Holiday Inn Express & Suites Port Clinton-Catawba Island nearby has affordable rooms just a short drive to the beach.
- Location: On the western end of Lake Erie in Ottawa County, Ohio, situated on the Catawba Island Peninsula near Port Clinton
- Map & Directions
What I loved best:
How this beach was no frills, just water, sky, and open space.
A downside? Unlike Ohio’s broad sandy beaches, the shoreline here is more rugged and rocky.
6. Geneva State Park
I fell for this scenic beach within the 698-acre park, a broad, inviting shoreline that captures the easygoing charm of Ohio’s Wine Country! I especially enjoyed the way the beach stretched in a wide crescent of golden sand along Lake Erie.
Just outside the park, the small resort town of Geneva-on-the-Lake offered classic boardwalk fun with arcades, diners, and ice cream stands. But inside the park itself, I settled into a quieter rhythm. I walked on the marina docks at sunrise, where anglers prepped their boats for the day. The 4-star Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake is the best place to stay in the area, a wonderful 4-star hotel I've been recommending for decades but book early on busy summer weekends.
- Location: On the southern shore of Lake Erie in Ashtabula County, Ohio
- Map & Directions
- Geneva State Park website
What I loved best:
Behind me, trails wound into woodlands and wetlands alive with birds.
7. Huntington Reservation
For me, this beach in Bay Village has one of Lake Erie’s most picturesque shorelines, and it quickly became one of my favorite beaches in Ohio! I love how the wide sandy beach curves gently along the water, framed by wooded bluffs and grassy picnic lawns above.
On clear days, the horizon stretches far and open, yet turn east, and the distant silhouette of Cleveland’s skyline appears on the water’s edge. The air was fresh and cool, touched with the faint scent of wildflowers drifting from the upland meadows.
- Location: On the southern shore of Lake Erie in Bay Village
- Map & Directions
- Huntington Reservation website
What I loved best:
Seeing Cleveland’s skyline on a clear day was my personal highlight.
8. Nickel Plate Beach
This is beach in Huron is one of my favorite Ohio beaches along Lake Erie! Why? I was charmed by its laid-back shoreline with one of the largest sandy stretches along the lake.
In addition, here you'll find volleyball nets, kayak rentals, and plenty of space for your family to spread out with coolers and umbrellas.
I think Nickel Plate Beach is one of the best “locals’ beaches” on Lake Erie. Why? Because it has the essentials—space, sand, and simple pleasures—without the bustle of Ohio’s bigger waterfront parks.
- Location: Along the Lake Erie shoreline in Huron, Ohio, just east of the Huron River mouth
- Map & Directions
- Nickel Plate Beach website
What I loved best:
The broad and welcoming beach.
For me, Nickel Plate Beach is one of the best spots in Ohio. It's romantic, peaceful, and a favorite escape I can’t wait to return to!
I loved the way the sand felt soft underfoot, the breeze carried the scent of lake water, and the horizon stretched wide and calm, perfect for a simple day outdoors.
Booking Checklist
1. Book Your Flight - I use Expedia because I like their mobile app with my itinerary. They've helped me re-book flights on many occasions. Once you reach their Gold tier, support is especially good.
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3. Book Your Rental Car - I use Expedia.
4. Book your tours on Viator or Get Your Guide.
5. If you are planning to visit more than three national parks in the next 12 months, buy the America the Beautiful Pass.
