Are you in need of a good old-fashioned beach day? This summer, take to the coast for a day and enjoy the fresh water, natural sand and beautiful views of our majestic Great Lake. The following are 5 of our favorite Lake Erie beaches in Ohio that will make you feel like you’re at the ocean—without all the jellyfish, sharks and other salt water creatures, of course.

  1. Maumee Bay State Park Beach (Oregon)

Cynthia K/TripAdvisor This half-a-mile-long beach features an amphitheater for special entertainment, an inland lake for smoother swimming, a large inflatable water slide, beach volleyball and boat rentals. The park’s campground is also popular for both locals and visitors alike.

  1. Nickel Plate Beach (Huron)

psalms3115/TripAdvisor Tucked away behind several cottages you’ll find Nickel Plate Beach in the small coastal town of Huron. In addition to some beach volleyball nets, you’ll find some playground equipment for the little ones on this beach.

  1. Headlands Beach State Park (Mentor)

Erik Drost/Flickr The Headlands Beach State Park features a mile-long natural sand beach that’s unbelievably picturesque. It’s actually the longest natural sand beach in Ohio. In the distance, you’ll notice a beautiful lighthouse, which has stood there since the mid-1920s. There’s also a 0.15-mile boardwalk trail along this waterfront park. It’s short, sweet and stunning.

  1. Breakwater Beach (Geneva State Park)

TravelerELO/TripAdvisor While the entire state park is gorgeous, the beach at Geneva State Park is unparalleled. Warm, smooth sands and picture picture views of Lake Erie await you at this little-known beach.

  1. Walnut Beach (Ashtabula)

Melika G/TripAdvisor 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.

Have you been to any of these beaches before? If so, we want to know what your experience was like!

Cynthia K/TripAdvisor

This half-a-mile-long beach features an amphitheater for special entertainment, an inland lake for smoother swimming, a large inflatable water slide, beach volleyball and boat rentals. The park’s campground is also popular for both locals and visitors alike.

psalms3115/TripAdvisor

Tucked away behind several cottages you’ll find Nickel Plate Beach in the small coastal town of Huron. In addition to some beach volleyball nets, you’ll find some playground equipment for the little ones on this beach.

Erik Drost/Flickr

The Headlands Beach State Park features a mile-long natural sand beach that’s unbelievably picturesque. It’s actually the longest natural sand beach in Ohio. In the distance, you’ll notice a beautiful lighthouse, which has stood there since the mid-1920s. There’s also a 0.15-mile boardwalk trail along this waterfront park. It’s short, sweet and stunning.

TravelerELO/TripAdvisor

While the entire state park is gorgeous, the beach at Geneva State Park is unparalleled. Warm, smooth sands and picture picture views of Lake Erie await you at this little-known beach.

Melika G/TripAdvisor

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.

For more beautiful places to swim in Ohio, check out our previous article: These 6 Ohio Quarry Lakes Are Perfect For A Day Of Fun In The Sun.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

Address: Maumee Bay State Park, 1400 State Park Rd, Oregon, OH 43616, USAAddress: 1 Nickel Plate Dr, Huron, OH 44839, USAAddress: Headlands Beach State Park, 9601 Headlands Rd, Mentor, OH 44060, USAAddress: 4499 Padanarum Rd, Geneva, OH 44041, USAAddress: Lake Avenue & West 1st Street, Lake Ave & W 1st St, Ashtabula, OH 44004, USA