Ohio may be landlocked, but that don’t let that fool you — we have plenty of breezy beach options for when the water is calling your name. Yes, they may be on a lake or riverfront, but they check most of our boxes when we’re in need of a little sand between our toes, sunshine on our skin and a cool, refreshing dip in the water.
Indiana Dunes National Park 1600 N. 25 East, Chesterton, Indiana Distance: 4 hours Indiana Dunes is the state’s only National Park. With a 15-mile coastline, 70 miles of trails and several sand dunes on the shore, the park is a beautiful hidden gem in northern Indiana. Photo via Facebook.com/INDUNES Photo: Facebook.com/INDUNES
Caesar Creek State Park 8570 OH-73, Waynesville, Ohio Distance: 1 hour Caesar Creek State Park offers a 1,300-foot beach that is open to the public from dusk to dawn. After a day of hiking, mountain biking, fishing or boating, hang out on the beach or take a dip in the lake. Photo: Jason Hale Photo: Jason Hale
East Fork State Park 3294 Elklick Road, Bethel, Ohio Distance: 45 minutes One of Ohio’s largest state parks, East Fork in Clermont County is home to a beach on East Fork Lake. Additional camping amenities and trails for hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking, as well as access to fishing and boating, make East Fork a must-see weekend getaway this summer. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Nolin Lake State Park 2998 Brier Creek Road, Mammoth Cave, Kentucky Distance: 3 hours The 333-acre Nolin Lake State Park is on the northern perimeter of Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky, but the lake itself covers nearly 5,800 acres. Nolin Lake is home to unique wildlife, beautiful scenery and plenty of areas to explore. Caves along the water and plenty of jumping rocks make the destination a no-brainer for the adventurous, and the beach at the state park is a great place to relax after a long day on the water. Photo via Facebook.com/NolinLakeStatePark
Jump Rock Swimming Hole Robbie Ridge Road, Stanton, Kentucky Distance: 2 hours Jump Rock is a famous spot to those familiar with Red River Gorge. Drive into the RRG Geological Area and soon after passing through Nada Tunnel, park at the Sheltowee Trace Trail parking lot. Hike the short trail and cross the suspension bridge over Red River to gain access to the small sand beach and the best swimming hole in the gorge. Photo via Facebook.com/OfficialRedRiverGorge
Hueston Woods College Corner, Ohio Distance: 1 hour Hueston Woods Beach is free to the public and open dawn to dusk. Sit on the beach and watch boats pass by, rent a kayak or camp or stay in one of the many cabins or the lodge within the state park. Photo via Facebook.com/HuestonWoodsStatePark
Old Field Beach at Indian Lake State Park OH-235, Lakeview, Ohio Distance: 2 hours Within Indian Lake State Park, Old Field Beach provides two beaches for swimmers on its 5,100-acre man-made lake . Photo via
Brookville Lake 14108 State Route 101, Brookville, Indiana Distance: 1 hour A lakefront park only an hour from downtown Cincinnati that offers camping, hiking and boating in addition to the beach that you can kick back and relax on. Photo via Facebook.com/BrookvilleLakecom
Nickel Plate Beach 1 Nickel Plate Drive, Huron, Ohio Distance: 3 hours 45 minutes Nested on Lake Erie, Nickel Plate Beach is on the shore right between Toledo and Cleveland. Cookout on one of the available grills and play beach volleyball at the courts, or rent paddle boards and kayaks and hit the water. Photo via Facebook.com/NickelPlateBeach
Kelleys Island State Park Beach 920 N. Division St., Kelleys Island, Ohio Distance: 4 hours 15 minutes Kelleys Island State Park is located in Lake Erie’s Emerald Isle. The small but beautiful 100-foot beach is great for families and those looking for some relaxing time with Mother Nature. Photo via kelleysisland.com/swimgatsandybeach
East Harbor State Park Beach 1169 N. Buck Road, Lakeside-Marblehead, Ohio Distance: 3 hours 30 minutes East Harbor State Park on Lake Erie is home to a 1,500-foot beach. Spend the day hiking in the State Park or check out the Marblehead Lighthouse before relaxing on the sand. Photo via Facebook.com/EastHarborStatePark
Alum Creek State Park Beach 3400 Lewis Center Road, Lewis Center, Ohio Distance: 2 hours Alum Creek State Park is home to the Ohio state park system’s largest inland beach. The 3,000-foot beach offers designated swimming areas, picnic areas and beach volleyball courts as well as close proximity to north Columbus. Photo via Facebook.com/AlumCreekStatePark
Salt Fork State Park Beach 14755 Cadiz Road, Lore City, Ohio Distance: 3 hours Salt Fork is the largest state park in Ohio. Fire up one of the provided grills to cookout on the beach, go fishing or hiking within the park, or spend a day on the water at this 2,500-foot inland beach. Photo via Facebook.com/SaltForkStatePark
Geneva State Park Beach 4499 Padanarum Road, Geneva, Ohio Distance: 4 hours 15 mins Geneva State Park is home to a child and pet-friendly beach that sits on the shore of Lake Erie in Northeast Ohio. After spending some time on the shore, head over to Geneva-on-the-Lake for some time in the quaint, old-school beach town. Photo via parks.ohiodnr.gov/geneva
Headlands Beach State Park 9601 Headlands Road, Mentor, Ohio Distance: 4 hours Headlands Beach State Park is home to the largest natural beach in the state of Ohio and neighbors the Headlands Dunes State Nature Preserve. Photo via
Cedar Point Beach 1 Cedar Point Drive, Sandusky, Ohio Distance: 4 hours Starting July 9, Cedar Point’s world famous amusement park will open its doors for Season, Gold and Platinum pass holders. The park will fully open to the public on July 11. Cedar Point isn’t only home to the world-class amusement park however. Visitors at Cedar Point Amusement Park and Soak City Waterpark also have access to Cedar Point Beach, a one-mile beach along Lake Erie. During the summer, stick around the beach for parties and firework shows, as well as late park hours. Photo via Facebook.com/CedarPoint Photo: Facebook.com/CedarPoint
Burr Oak Lake Beach 10220 Burr Oak Lodge Road, Glouster, Ohio Distance: 3 hours Burr Oak Lake is a small man-made lake in Glouster, Ohio. The 500-foot beach lies within Burr Oak State Park and is a great place to take in the natural landscape of Ohio. Sit back and watch the diverse bird population or start up a game of beach volleyball right by the water. Photo via stayburroak.com