You work hard and the days can be long. That’s why it’s time to start thinking about when and where you’re going to have your next beach day. Fortunately, Ohio beaches can be just as satisfying as ocean beaches. Perhaps you’ve wondered where to find the best hidden beaches in Ohio.
Instead of visiting one of the state’s most popular water parks or Lake Erie beaches, consider taking a trip across the state to visit some of Ohio’s best, little-known beaches. (Be sure to check out this little-known beach where the water is a mesmerizing blue.) From tiny beaches tucked away in little-known water parks to beaches hiding behind roller coasters, the following trip features some of our favorite beaches in Ohio that just don’t get enough attention. See which ones you’ve been to before and which ones you need to add to your Ohio summer bucket list:
Google Maps
The total trip takes about 6 and a half hours, so you can split it up over a few days during a weekend getaway. To view a Google Map of the trip in a separate tab or window, go to this link.
Google Maps
- Walnut Beach (Ashtabula)
Mark K./Flickr One of the most little-known Lake Erie beaches features a nearby playground and a picturesque view of the Ashtabula Lighthouse. You’ll also find interesting rocks and pieces of driftwood along this pretty little beach. It’s one of the best secret beaches in Ohio. Address: Lake Avenue and West 1st Street, Ashtabula, OH, 44004 Lake Avenue & West 1st Street, Lake Ave & W 1st St, Ashtabula, OH 44004, USA
- Breakwater Beach (Geneva State Park)
Thomas E/Trip Advisor While the entire state park is gorgeous, the beach at Geneva State Park is unparalleled. Warm, smooth sands and picture perfect views of Lake Erie await you at this little-known beach. Camp at the park and make a weekend trip out of this one stop. Address: 4499 Padanarum Road, Geneva, OH, 44041 4499 Padanarum Rd, Geneva, OH 44041, USA
- Nickel Plate Beach (Huron)
stim81/Trip Advisor This off-the-beaten-path beach is worth finding. Tucked away behind several cottages you’ll find Nickel Plate Beach in Huron. Volleyball nets, playground equipment, and a nearby Sand Bar make a visit to this lovely little beach extra special. It’s one of the best Ohio beaches to visit. Address: 1 Nickel Plate Drive, Huron, OH, 44839 1 Nickel Plate Dr, Huron, OH 44839, USA
- Cedar Point Beach (Sandusky)
Matt Dempsey/Flickr While the beach behind Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky, Ohio isn’t necessarily a secret, it’s not the most accessible beach—making it seem a like an exclusive, picture perfect beach away from it all. If you’ve never been here before, it’s definitely worth a visit. Take a peaceful break from your roller coaster mania or check into the beach’s nearby hotels for a picturesque Ohio beach experience you won’t soon forget. Address: 1 Cedar Point Drive, Sandusky, OH, 44870 1 Cedar Point Dr, Sandusky, OH 44870, USA
- Baylor Beach Park (Navarre)
baylorbeachpark.com Unless you’re a local, you’ve likely never heard of Baylor Beach Park in Ohio, which features a two-acre manmade swimming lake with sandy beaches. It’s picture perfect for a family day of fun in the sun, as there are activities for all ages here. Just keep in mind that this beach charges admission. It’s one of the best hidden beaches in Ohio for families. Address: 8777 Manchester Avenue Southwest, Navarre, OH, 44662 8777 Manchester Ave SW, Navarre, OH 44662, USA
- Craig Beach (Lake Milton State Park)
Tacia F./Yelp This quiet, little-known beach along Lake Milton is a hidden gem. Picnic tables, a basketball court, playground, and other amenities make this a picture perfect beach the whole family will love. Explore the rest of the state park if you have the time while you’re here. Address: 2265 Grandview Road, Lake Milton, OH, 44429 2265 Grandview Rd, Lake Milton, OH 44429, USA
- Mosquito Lake State Park (Cortland)
Jack Pearce/Flickr Camping at this serene state park is a popular activity but the 600-ft. beach is a hidden gem. (There’s even a dog park along the lake.) Stay in a yurt alongside the lake for an unforgettable visit here. It’s one of the best secret beaches in Ohio. Address: 1439 Wilson Sharpsville Road, Cortland, OH, 44410 1439 Wilson Sharpsville Rd, Cortland, OH 44410, USA
What do you think? Would you take this trip? How many of these Ohio beaches did you know about? Share your thoughts and experiences with us!
Mark K./Flickr
One of the most little-known Lake Erie beaches features a nearby playground and a picturesque view of the Ashtabula Lighthouse. You’ll also find interesting rocks and pieces of driftwood along this pretty little beach. It’s one of the best secret beaches in Ohio. Address: Lake Avenue and West 1st Street, Ashtabula, OH, 44004
Lake Avenue & West 1st Street, Lake Ave & W 1st St, Ashtabula, OH 44004, USA
Thomas E/Trip Advisor
While the entire state park is gorgeous, the beach at Geneva State Park is unparalleled. Warm, smooth sands and picture perfect views of Lake Erie await you at this little-known beach. Camp at the park and make a weekend trip out of this one stop. Address: 4499 Padanarum Road, Geneva, OH, 44041
4499 Padanarum Rd, Geneva, OH 44041, USA
stim81/Trip Advisor
This off-the-beaten-path beach is worth finding. Tucked away behind several cottages you’ll find Nickel Plate Beach in Huron. Volleyball nets, playground equipment, and a nearby Sand Bar make a visit to this lovely little beach extra special. It’s one of the best Ohio beaches to visit. Address: 1 Nickel Plate Drive, Huron, OH, 44839
1 Nickel Plate Dr, Huron, OH 44839, USA
Matt Dempsey/Flickr
While the beach behind Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky, Ohio isn’t necessarily a secret, it’s not the most accessible beach—making it seem a like an exclusive, picture perfect beach away from it all. If you’ve never been here before, it’s definitely worth a visit. Take a peaceful break from your roller coaster mania or check into the beach’s nearby hotels for a picturesque Ohio beach experience you won’t soon forget. Address: 1 Cedar Point Drive, Sandusky, OH, 44870
1 Cedar Point Dr, Sandusky, OH 44870, USA
baylorbeachpark.com
Unless you’re a local, you’ve likely never heard of Baylor Beach Park in Ohio, which features a two-acre manmade swimming lake with sandy beaches. It’s picture perfect for a family day of fun in the sun, as there are activities for all ages here. Just keep in mind that this beach charges admission. It’s one of the best hidden beaches in Ohio for families. Address: 8777 Manchester Avenue Southwest, Navarre, OH, 44662
8777 Manchester Ave SW, Navarre, OH 44662, USA
Tacia F./Yelp
This quiet, little-known beach along Lake Milton is a hidden gem. Picnic tables, a basketball court, playground, and other amenities make this a picture perfect beach the whole family will love. Explore the rest of the state park if you have the time while you’re here. Address: 2265 Grandview Road, Lake Milton, OH, 44429
2265 Grandview Rd, Lake Milton, OH 44429, USA
Jack Pearce/Flickr
Camping at this serene state park is a popular activity but the 600-ft. beach is a hidden gem. (There’s even a dog park along the lake.) Stay in a yurt alongside the lake for an unforgettable visit here. It’s one of the best secret beaches in Ohio. Address: 1439 Wilson Sharpsville Road, Cortland, OH, 44410
1439 Wilson Sharpsville Rd, Cortland, OH 44410, USA
For more of the best hidden beaches in Ohio, check out our previous article: The Secret Tropical Beach In Ohio Where The Water Is A Mesmerizing Blue.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Beaches in Ohio June 05, 2019 April Dray What are the prettiest beaches in Ohio? Some of Ohio’s prettiest beaches are found along Lake Erie and some are hidden quarries that take some time to find. Nelson Ledges Quarry Park in Garrettsville features a beautiful swimming beach where the water is a mesmerizing blue. 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. Many also consider this Lake Erie beach to be the prettiest beach in Ohio. What are the best beach towns in Ohio? Although Ohio isn’t a coastal state, it’s still home to some charming beach towns along Lake Erie. Some of these towns are as follows: Huron, Mentor, Marblehead, Put-In-Bay and Port Clinton. Any of Ohio’s islands could also be considered beach towns. For these waterfront towns, Lake Erie is its own special kind of ocean. What beaches have the clearest water in Ohio? The beach with the clearest water in Ohio is difficult to determine. There are several quarries that could arguably have the clearest water in Ohio. White Star Quarry in Gibsonburg features a scuba diving resort and designated swimming area. The visibility rarely gets lower than 20 ft. and it averages in the 30 ft. - 40 ft. range, according to the quarry’s website.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Beaches in Ohio
June 05, 2019
April Dray
What are the prettiest beaches in Ohio? Some of Ohio’s prettiest beaches are found along Lake Erie and some are hidden quarries that take some time to find. Nelson Ledges Quarry Park in Garrettsville features a beautiful swimming beach where the water is a mesmerizing blue. 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. Many also consider this Lake Erie beach to be the prettiest beach in Ohio. What are the best beach towns in Ohio? Although Ohio isn’t a coastal state, it’s still home to some charming beach towns along Lake Erie. Some of these towns are as follows: Huron, Mentor, Marblehead, Put-In-Bay and Port Clinton. Any of Ohio’s islands could also be considered beach towns. For these waterfront towns, Lake Erie is its own special kind of ocean. What beaches have the clearest water in Ohio? The beach with the clearest water in Ohio is difficult to determine. There are several quarries that could arguably have the clearest water in Ohio. White Star Quarry in Gibsonburg features a scuba diving resort and designated swimming area. The visibility rarely gets lower than 20 ft. and it averages in the 30 ft. - 40 ft. range, according to the quarry’s website.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Some of Ohio’s prettiest beaches are found along Lake Erie and some are hidden quarries that take some time to find. Nelson Ledges Quarry Park in Garrettsville features a beautiful swimming beach where the water is a mesmerizing blue. 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. Many also consider this Lake Erie beach to be the prettiest beach in Ohio.
What are the best beach towns in Ohio?
Although Ohio isn’t a coastal state, it’s still home to some charming beach towns along Lake Erie. Some of these towns are as follows: Huron, Mentor, Marblehead, Put-In-Bay and Port Clinton. Any of Ohio’s islands could also be considered beach towns. For these waterfront towns, Lake Erie is its own special kind of ocean.
What beaches have the clearest water in Ohio?
The beach with the clearest water in Ohio is difficult to determine. There are several quarries that could arguably have the clearest water in Ohio. White Star Quarry in Gibsonburg features a scuba diving resort and designated swimming area. The visibility rarely gets lower than 20 ft. and it averages in the 30 ft. - 40 ft. range, according to the quarry’s website.
