Closest beach vacation to ohio
The best beaches in Ohio are found along the state�s mountainous shores. The Lake Erie islands, located just off the coast and accessible via ferry service, have some of the best and most popular beaches in the state.
In today’s ever-changing world of technology, you can work from anywhere, at any time. Heck, why sit in some stuffy office or cubicle when you can be relaxing on a gorgeous beach. With the many options for travel and working remotely, there’s no need to be stuck in one place just because your employer only provides vacation benefits locally.
The closest beach vacation to Ohio is Myrtle Beach, SC.
Myrtle Beach is a popular destination for many people who are looking to get away from their daily lives, or just want a relaxing vacation with their family. Myrtle Beach has over 100 miles of beaches, so there’s sure to be plenty of room for everyone. You can even rent a houseboat if you’re looking to spend more time on the water!
1. Headlands Beach
The natural sand beach at Headlands Beach State Park in Mentor is the largest beach of its kind in Ohio, making it one of the most popular. It is a mile in length and the largest natural beach in the state. The unique plant species that thrive on the beach will make you think you are somewhere along the Atlantic Coast.
The natural landscape is one of the most picturesque in the state as it sits adjacent to the Headlands Dunes State Nature Preserve. The many conveniences available to visitors, like dumpsters, several restroom facilities, and designated picnic areas, are what help keep the beach in pristine condition.
Headlands Beach is just a few miles from all the attractions of Cleveland, so you can make a weekend out of it. For accommodation, it’s hard to beat a stay at Quail Hollow Resort, which has dining on-site, and you can take in some of the sights of the area.
Address: 9601 Headlands Road, Mentor, Ohio
2. Alum Creek
Alum Creek is the largest inland beach in the Ohio state park system and possibly the most popular public beach in central Ohio. With a 3,000-foot beachfront, on-site amenities, and proximity to other outdoor recreation, it draws many families in the summer.
There are designated swimming areas, beach volleyball courts, picnic tables, and snack vendors. The bathhouse has showers and changing areas.
Alum Creek is just a few miles away from Delaware and north Columbus where there is plenty of lodging, like the Hilton Columbus/Polaris or suites at Homewood Suites by Hilton Columbus/Polaris. There are many close restaurant options to satisfy your post-beach appetite.
Address: 3305 S. Old State Road, Delaware, Ohio
3. Geneva State Park Beach
The sandy beachfront at Geneva State Park in northeast Ohio is a top vacation spot on the Lake Erie shores. The scenic beach is kid- and pet-friendly, with picnic pavilions available for lunch in the shade. There are nearby hiking trails and a departure point for fishing charters.
The Geneva-on-the-Lake beach in the state park is conveniently close to the other attractions along the main one-mile tourist area in this old-school beach town. The Geneva-on-the-Lake village looks untouched by time over the last 60 years.
Accommodations closest to the beach are mostly vacation rentals but also include the Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake, chain hotels in Ashtabula, or more unique accommodations like the Steele Mansion Inn & Gathering Hub in nearby Painesville. After a day trip to the beach, a hot dog and fresh squeezed lemonade next to the jukebox at Eddie’s Grill is a must.
Address: 4499 Padanarum Road, Geneva, Ohio
4. Old Field Beach
One of the best quick beach visits in Ohio is at Old Field Beach at Indian Lake. There are two public inland beaches at Indian Lake, but Old Field Beach is the most popular. The beach is clean and comfortable. The sandy beachfront has plenty of space, with modern facilities like picnic shelters and restrooms.
The swimming areas are located near the docking point for boaters and jet-skiers who stop by for a swim. Unless you are staying at the campground cabins at Indian Lake State Park, your closest modern accommodations are chain hotels like the Comfort Inn in Bellefontaine.
The beach conveniences and nearby restaurants make it easy to spend a full day on the sand and enjoy the lake sunsets and frequent summer evening concerts. Oldfield Beach is only an hour from Columbus and is one of the closest beaches to Cincinnati.
Address: 13156 State Route 235 N., Lakeview, Ohio
5. Kelleys Island State Park Beach
Kelleys Island State Park Beach is one of the most popular beaches on the shores of Lake Erie. While it is not the largest shore option, with only a 100-foot stretch of sand, it is one of the most pristine and beautiful spots to spend the day at the water. Its particular geological limestone landscape and surrounding nature preserves are what regularly draws visitors.
This kid-friendly beach has a gradual water depth, and kayaks are available for rent, making it easy to spend a full day on the sand. If you collect beach glass, it is one of the best places to find it on the Lake Erie shores. While there are a couple of places to stay on Kelleys Island, like the campground yurts, lodging is sparse.
A better option is to stay near all the attractions of Put-in-Bay on South Bass Island at the Bay Lodging Resort, or on the mainland in Sandusky and hop on the Jet Express ferry and visit Kelleys Island for a day trip.
Address: 920 N. Division Street, Kelleys Island, Ohio
6. Huntington Beach
One of the best beaches in northern Ohio near Cleveland in Bay Village is Huntington Beach. The beach is part of the Huntington Reservation, which is part of the Cleveland Metroparks. The recreation area includes a public swimming beach on the shores of Lake Erie.
The beach has changing areas and restrooms, as well as grills and picnic tables for dining in the park. There is also a concession stand. You can rent a cabana or beach chairs for the day on-site. The park that surrounds the beach is nice, too, with walking and hiking trails.
Address: 28649 Lake Road, Bay Village, Ohio
Official site: https://www.clevelandmetroparks.com/parks/visit/parks/huntington-reservation
7. Burr Oak Lake
The inland beach at Burr Oak Lake is a man-made lake in Glouster, Ohio with a small public beach. It is a tucked-away gem perfect for swimming. The 500-foot sand beach is surrounded by nature and waterfowl within the Burr Oak State Park.
The pristine and quiet beach provides a unique serenity and front-row seat for nature lovers to observe Ohio’s colorful trees, migrating birds, and even an occasional bald eagle. The beach has public facilities and sand volleyball courts and is also a popular lake for boating and kayaking. If you stay on-site at the Burr Oak Lodge, you can mix in some hiking along the shoreline trails in the park.
Address: 10220 Burr Oak Lodge Road, Glouster, Ohio
8. Maumee Bay State Park Beach
Maumee Bay State Park has two public beaches that are conveniently located near the Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center and park activities. One beach is located on the shores of Lake Erie, offering great swimming in the designated areas, with restrooms and showers available.
The other beach is an inland beach, which is ideal for families and children to spend a day by the water without the worry of changing conditions on the open lake. Restrooms and showers are nearby.
To extend the beach day, you can take advantage of the many trails located throughout the state park, and picnic with the tables and grills near the beaches.
Address: 1400 State Park Rd, Oregon, Ohio
9. Euclid Beach
Many Ohioans know Euclid Beach near Cleveland for Euclid Beach Live, the summer series of concerts along the waterfront and pier. Long before its present day popularity, the beach was part of the historic Euclid Beach Amusement Park, which closed in 1969.
Euclid Beach has beautiful views of Lake Erie and is a nostalgic vacation spot for beach-goers. The 650-foot public beach is a nice way to spend a day in northern Ohio. There are picnic areas near the water and a pier, which is a nice spot to enjoy the sunsets.
Address: 850 Euclid Creek Parkway, Euclid, Ohio
10. Nickel Plate Beach
Nickel Plate Beach is one of the largest public swimming beaches in the Huron region in northern Ohio. It is located just east of the Huron River. The 12-acre beach has soft sand, volleyball courts, playground equipment, and perfect water for swimming. Pack a lunch to enjoy at the picnic shelter and tables or bring hamburgers to cook on the grills located on-site.
Pack your own bean bags or ping-pong paddles and balls to take advantage of outdoor ping-pong tables and cornhole boards. You can also rent paddles and balls from the gate attendant. Kayak, paddleboard, and beach equipment rentals are available from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
This is a pet-friendly beach, with great views of the Huron Lighthouse in the distance. Lodging in nearby Huron is easy with plenty of options, including bed and breakfasts and chains, like the Comfort Inn River’s Edge.