Updated July 2024
Are you itching to get outdoors and soak up the sun? To relax and enjoy the calmness of a cool lake breeze and the sounds of lapping water on the shore? To fully enjoy your summer?!
Lake Erie’s beaches are ready to welcome you. What is summer without a little sand between your toes? From building sand castles to snoozing in the sun, beach life is what summer was made for.
We rounded up six of the best beaches in the region. Visit one of these popular spots on your next road trip to Shores & Islands Ohio!
Huron
Nickel Plate Beach
Nickel Plate Dr. (off US 6 E)
419.433.8487
Nickel Plate Beach, one of the area's largest public swimming beaches, is located just east of the Huron River. The grounds include a picnic shelter and tables, grills, benches, portable restrooms, volleyball courts, and playground equipment.
INSIDER TIP: Rent paddle boards, kayaks, and beach gear at The Paddle Shack.
Kelleys Island
Kelleys Island State Park
920 N. Division St.
419.746.2546
Kelleys Island State Park Beach is a popular beach on the shores of Lake Erie with kid-friendly, gradual water depth. This 100-foot stretch of sand certainly isn't the biggest, but it may be one of the loveliest.
INSIDER TIP: Kayak rentals are available right on the beach for some added water fun! Kelleys Island's beach is a great place to find beach glass also.
Lakeside
Lakeside Beach
236 Walnut Ave.
419.798.4461
The beach at Lakeside is a great location to sunbathe and swim on hot summer days. Lifeguards are on duty throughout the week in-season. Gate fee required Memorial Day-Labor Day.
INSIDER TIP: Got little ones? Adjacent to the beach area, there is a separate, fenced-in kiddie pool and splash park along the shoreline – children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
Marblehead
East Harbor State Park
1169 N. Buck Rd. (SR 269 N)
419.734.4424 ext. 2
Visitors love this 1,500-foot sandy beach. A bathhouse is on site complete with restrooms and changing areas. Pets are permitted in designated areas.
INSIDER TIP: East Harbor State Park also features 11 different hiking and biking trails and an onsite campground for lakeside camping. Beach space may be limited when water levels are high.
Sandusky
Cedar Point Beach
1 Cedar Point Dr.
419.627.2350
Stretching out for approximately one mile along Lake Erie, the beach and its cooling breezes were Cedar Point's first attractions more than 150 years ago. Play volleyball, build a sandcastle, or just soak up the sun. Cedar Point beach is accessible to all amusement and water park guests, overnight visitors staying at a Cedar Point property, and season passholders.
INSIDER TIP: Being next to the world’s greatest amusement park has its perks! You can enhance your beach visit by adding one of these additional experiences: parasailing, jet skiing, kayaking, paddle boarding, rent a boat...all with North Coast Parasail & Watersports located right on the beach!
Vermilion
Main Street Beach
Main St. (off US 6)
440.204.2490
Let the cool waters of Lake Erie splash on your feet as you stroll on this sandy beach, featuring an observation platform, a concession stand, and the Vermilion Lighthouse. Shops and restaurants are nearby.
INSIDER TIP: This beach offers chair and umbrella rentals as well as a mobile snack bar. For a complete list of swimming, recreational, and natural beaches available in the region, visit our Beaches page. Regardless of which beach you choose to visit, be sure to follow and obey all posted signage and warnings prior to swimming. Be alert to changing weather conditions or anything that would make it unsafe to swim. Check BeachGuard from the Ohio Department of Health for the latest on water quality and advisories: https://publicapps.odh.ohio.gov/beachguardpublic/
Beautiful Lake Erie beaches are calling…what are you waiting for?
