10 Of The Closest Beaches To Ohio For Families

Nothing beats a beach vacation. The sun, sand, and surf provide the perfect getaway for families and beachgoers who want scenic views.

But if you’re located in Ohio, planning a beach day can pose a challenge. Some of the closest beaches to Ohio are Ocean City, Myrtle Beach, South Caroline, and a few other places.

In this article, we’ll explore 10 of the closest beaches to Ohio for families looking for a weekend at the shore. From Lake Erie to the Atlantic Coast, these Ohio beaches have something for everyone. From sandy shores to family-friendly activities and are sure to make lasting memories.

So check out our list and get ready to plan your next beach getaway!

10 Closest Beaches To Ohio (Including Closest Ocean Beaches)

Maumee Bay State Park Beach (Oregon)

Firstly, there are no park entrance fees, and this is a popular beach. Maumee Bay Beach is the perfect place to enjoy a summer day with your family. Located in Oregon, this beach is just a short drive from Ohio.

The sand at Maumee Bay State Park Beach is clean and well-maintained. The water is warm and clear, making it perfect for swimming and playing in the waves. There are also plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy, including fishing, picnicking, and hiking.

If you’re looking for a beautiful beach close to Ohio, Maumee Bay State Park is the perfect choice for your next family vacation. Also, there is a Maumee Bay Lodge and Conference Center if you want to spend the night.

Burr Oak State Park Beach (Glouster)

Burr Oak Lake State Park beach in Glouster, Ohio, is a great place to take the family for a day of swimming and sun. The beach has a playground for the kids, a picnic area, and plenty of space to relax and enjoy the views. The water is clean and clear, making it perfect for swimming, fishing, or just floating around.

The views? Tress (oaks and hickories) and hills for miles and a totally natural landscape! Also, the park is home to various wild animals. These include white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, box turtles, and more.

In this park, there is a rustic full-service lodge with a campground if you feel like the family suites aren’t what you are looking for. There are directions on the website.

Cedar Point Beach (Sandusky)

Cedar Point Beach is a great option for families looking for a beach close to Ohio. The beach is located in Sandusky, which is about two hours from Cleveland. Cedar Point Beach has plenty of sand for kids to build sandcastles and play in, and the water is shallow and calm, making it perfect for swimming.

There are also plenty of picnic tables and grills available at Cedar Point, so you can easily make a day of it.

Cedar Point Amusement Park

There is also a Cedar Point amusement park and loads of hotels nearby to stay the night. A few of the hotels you can check out are Hotel Breakers, Lighthouse Point, Express Hotel, Castaway Bay, and Sawmill Creek Resort. Check out their website to see more about ticket prices for the Cedar Point amusement park and the Soak City Waterpark.

On the website, you can also see what type of thrill level each ride has to see if it will suit your family. There are 4×4 rides, the Balloon Race, the Blue Streak, boat charters, a Camp Bus, and many more.

Headlands Beach State Park (Mentor)

If you’re looking for a beautiful beach that’s close to Ohio, look no further than Headlands Beach State Park in Mentor. This state park is situated on a long stretch of sandy beach on the shores of Lake Erie, making it the perfect spot for swimming, sunbathing, and building sandcastles. It’s also a pet-friendly beach, but pets must stay on their leashes.

It’s right next to the Headlands Dunes State Nature Preserve.

There are also plenty of picnic tables and grills available, so you can enjoy a lakeside lunch or dinner. If you’re feeling adventurous, take a hike on one of the many trails through the nearby dunes. A fun fact is that this park has the largest natural beach in Ohio. Headlands Beach is a mile long with natural sand. Apparently, it’s one of the most beautiful beaches in Ohio.

Lakeview Park Beach (Lorain)

If you’re looking for a nearby beach to take your family to, Lorain’s Lakeview Park Beach is a great option. The beach is situated on the beautiful Lake Erie and offers plenty of activities for everyone in the family.

There’s a large playground for the kids, picnic tables for a family lunch, and plenty of open space to run around and enjoy the day. The sand is clean, and the water is refreshing, making it the perfect place to relax and soak up the summer sun.

Lake Erie is the fourth largest Great Lake and is famous for the War of 1812. The temperature of the water is warm, and it’s known to be one of the warmest of the Great Lakes. This means it’s pretty ideal for swimming. In winter, it’s a whole different story as the water reaches freezing and Lake Eerie freezes over.

Another fact is that most of the water flows through the Detroit River, which is from the upper lakes. These upper lakes include Lake Superior, Lake Huron, and Lake Michigan.

Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park Beach (Fairport Harbor)

The Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park Beach is one of the closest beaches to Ohio for families. It is located in Fairport Harbor, which is about 30 minutes east of Cleveland. The beach offers a playground, pavilion, sand volleyball court, and picnic areas.

The beach also has a bathhouse and concession stand. The water is clean and clear, and the sand is soft and white. It’s basically a sanctuary for people and wildlife. It also has free parking and is open from 6 am to 11 pm daily.

The only problem is that there are no lifeguards on duty here, so swimming is carried out at your own risk. We recommend you wear lifejackets if you are not a great swimmer.

East Harbor State Park Beach (Lakeside Marblehead)

If you’re looking for a beach that’s close to Ohio but still has that New England charm, then head to East Harbor State Park Beach in Marblehead. The beach is situated on a peninsula, so there are plenty of opportunities for fishing, boating, and swimming.

There is a large parking lot, and the beach is well-maintained. There are plenty of beach umbrellas and chairs to rent. The beach has a lifeguard on duty during the summer months. And if you want to explore the town, there’s plenty to do in Marblehead as well. Check out the Marblehead lighthouse.

Kelleys Island State Park Beach (Kelleys Island)

Kelleys Island Beach is one of the closest beaches to Ohio for families. The beach is located on the north shore of Kelleys Island and offers stunning views of Lake Erie. The area is actually known as Lake Eerie’s Emerald Isle.

The beach has a wide range of activities for families to enjoy, including swimming, sunbathing, picnics, fishing trips, and hiking. Kelleys Island Beach is a great place for families to enjoy a day at the beach. The beach is clean and well-maintained, with plenty of space for families to spread out and relax.

The water is shallow and warm, making it perfect for swimming and splashing around. There are also plenty of shady spots to relax in if you need a break from the sun.

If you’re looking for something more active, there are plenty of options. You can go for a swim, play some volleyball or frisbee on the sand, or take a hike through the woods. The North Shore Cliffs Trail is a great option for those who want to get a workout in, as it includes a fairly steep climb up and down the cliffs.

The South Shore Nature Trail is perfect for those who want to take in the island’s natural beauty as it winds through the woods and along the shoreline.

There’s also a fishing pier if you want to try your hand at catching some fish. No matter what you’re looking for, you’re sure to find it at Kelleys Island State Park Beach. It’s the perfect place to spend a day with your family, enjoying all that Lake Erie has to offer.

Wanting to camp? This is a great place for island camping, and you can park your RV in the area. The park is 677 acres, so there is plenty of space to go exploring.

Edgewater Beach (Cleveland)

If you’re looking for a beautiful beach close to Ohio, look no further than Edgewater Beach in Cleveland! This beach is perfect for families, with plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained. The sand is clean, and the water is clear, making it a great spot for swimming, sunbathing, and simply enjoying the incredible views.

The views are of downtown Cleveland. The area is known to be perfect for sunset. How big is it? 2400 feet with 1000 feet of swimming accessible places.

There’s also plenty to do off the beach, with a playground, picnic areas, and even a fishing pier. And if you get hungry, there are several restaurants and food vendors nearby. For a casual meal, try one of the many burger joints or pizzerias in the area.

If you’re in the mood for something more upscale, there are several great seafood and steakhouses nearby. So whether you’re looking for a day of relaxation or adventure, Edgewater Beach is the perfect place to be! Wondering how to access this beach? It’s accessible from the lower and upper sides of Edgewater Park.

Want to bring your dog with you? You will just have to stay on the western side of the beach as that’s the dog-friendly side. If you enjoy kayaking, you will be happy to know there is kayaking access. Some of the rules include no alcohol and drugs, swim diapers required for little kids, no fishing near swimming areas, no scuba equipment, and more.

Alum Creek State Park Beach (Delaware)

Alum Creek State Park Beach in Delaware is a great beach for families, and it’s free. The 4630-acre park has a wide, sandy beach that is perfect for sunbathing and playing games. The water is shallow and clear, making it ideal for swimming and wading. You can even go hunting in this park.

There are also plenty of picnic tables and grills, so you can enjoy a meal by the water. There are also plenty of opportunities for hiking and bird watching in the park. If you’re looking for a challenge, try the Alum Creek Falls Trail. This trail takes you to the top of the falls, where you can enjoy a stunning view of the Delaware River. If you’re looking for a more relaxed hike, try the Alum Creek Lake Trail.

This trail winds around the lake, offering beautiful views of the water and wildlife. Hiking not for you? Then try the 14 miles of mountain biking trails. Or try the beach volleyball courts. Beach volleyball is popular at this park. If these activities don’t interest you there are also basketball courts.

There are also a number of restaurants and bars located nearby, making it the perfect place to spend a day in the sun.

FAQs

Does Ohio have an ocean beach?

There are no ocean beaches very close by, so you will have to take a short trip to a nearby coastal state.

What beach is closest to Cincinnati, Ohio?

The closest beach to Ohio is Oldfield Beach.

What is the cleanest beach in Ohio?

Cedar Point Resort and Kelleys Island State Park beach have some of the cleanest beaches.

Can you swim in Maumee Bay?

Swimming is allowed in the designated swimming areas.

Is Alum Creek beach free?

Yes, it is free. There is no admission fee for Alum Creek Beach.

How many swimming beaches does Indian Lake have?

Indian Lake has two swimming beaches. One of them being Field Beach. Field Beach is the most popular.

Where is Breakwater Beach?

It’s in the Geneva State Park.

What is Lake Erie known for?

Lake Erie is the seventh-largest lake in the world. Lake Erie is part of the 5 Great Lakes in North America. Lake Erie is the fourth largest lake of the five Great Lakes.