If laying on a beach soaking up the sun sounds like a great way to spend a Saturday, listen up.
Whether you’re looking for a beautiful view or some sand between your toes, sometimes there’s nothing that will do the trick quite like going to the beach.
Of course, there are plenty of water parks, lazy rivers, natural swimming holes, and swimming pools open this summer. But nothing beats a day splashing around in the lake.
So pack up the beach bags, grab the umbrella, and head to the car. A sun-soaked day awaits. Don’t forget to practice proper social distancing, wear a mask when you can’t, and wash your hands frequently.
Lake Hope State Park
Lake Hope State Park offers a 500-foot beach perfect for catching some rays. Additional activities at the park include camping, boating, hiking, and mountain biking. From the stunning Zalecki State Forest to the enchanting fields of wildflowers, this park is always worth a visit. Be sure to watch the video above before visiting the beach.
- Where: Lake Hope State Park, 27331 OH-278, McArthur, OH 45651
- Cost: Free
- Features: Camping, boating, hiking, mountain biking
- Distance From Columbus: 70 miles
Long’s Retreat
There are lots of fun activities at Long’s Retreat but just stopping by to swim will only cost you $5 per person. Long’s Retreat is cash only and be sure to bring a little extra in case you want to rent any watersports equipment or ride the waterslides. If you’re interested in staying over, there are cabins available for rent.
- Where: 50 Bell Hollow Rd, Latham, OH 45646
- Cost: $5 per person
- Features: Waterslides, splash pad, diving boards, and more
- Distance From Columbus: 80 miles
Baylor Beach Water Park
The 146 acres of Baylor Beach park are a great place to spread out and get some space. There’s also a variety of activities on the lake including watercraft rentals, slides, inflatables, and more. If you’re camping at Baylor Beach Park, you can get a discounted admission to the waterpark area.
- Where: 8777 Manchester Ave. S.W., Navarre, Ohio 44662
- Cost: $17 a person (kids 3 and under are free)
- Features: Camping, slides, inflatables, diving boards
- Distance From Columbus: 115 miles
Buckeye Lake
There are multiple beaches on the 3,100 acres of Buckeye Lake, all with beautiful scenery and great places to picnic. Due to it’s size, the lake is designed as an unlimited horsepower lake. Got a need for speed? This is your place. There are two beaches at the park and both are monitored frequently for waterlevel and water conditions, so be sure to look for the latest postings before choosing your beach.
- Where: Millersport, Ohio
- Cost: Free
- Features: Camping, boating, fishing, multiple beaches
- Distance From Columbus: 30 miles
Nelson Ledges Quarry Park
Nelson Ledges is a great place to find a little adventure on their 250 acres of forests, meadows, streams, and rock ledges. They offer a variety of activities such as scuba diving, cliff jumping, and kayaking. Their 400 campsites are located in a variety of scenaries to fit everyone’s style, whether it’s wooded or waterfront. The water is usually 30ft deep with lots of shelves, rock formations, plant and fish life to explore while scuba diving.
- Where: 12001 Nelson Ledge Rd, Garrettsville, OH 44231
- Cost: $12 per person on weekends, $10 on weekdays
- Features: Scuba, fishing, camping
- Distance From Columbus: 162 miles
Maumee Bay State Park
Maumee Bay offers 1,336 acres of park land for great camping sites with tents or RV’s. The park has two Lake Erie beaches, a golf course, two miles of trails, and a nature center. Who wants to go bird watching?
- Where: 1400 State Park Rd, Oregon, OH 43616
- Cost: Free
- Features: Trails, fishing, boating
- Distance From Columbus: 135 miles
Kelleys Island State Park
There’s so much to do on Kelleys Island. The 677-acre state park is located on the North end of the island. The park has a 100ft public swimming beach as well as eight miles of trails for hiking.
- Where: 920 Division St, Kelleys Island, OH 43438
- Cost: Free
- Features: Trails, kayaking, fishing, boating
- Distance From Columbus: 136 miles
Nickel Plate Beach
Nickel Plate’s well-maintained beach makes it a great place to experience Lake Erie with 12.3 acres of beach front. There’s soft sand into the water at the public swimming and a network of sandbars in the lake. If you’re interested in a little exploring, the Huron River’s one-third mile east jetty is accessible from Nickel Plate Beach.
- Where: Huron, Ohio
- Cost: Free, with a parking fee
- Features: Volleyball courts, playground, grills
- Distance From Columbus: 115 miles
Salt Fork State Park
A day trip to the 2,500 foot beach at Salt Fork State Park should definitely be on your agenda this month. There are 14 scenic trails in the park and other land activities such as Kennedy Stone Historic House, playgrounds, and even a mini golf course. The dog park is about one acre and features a waterfront area for the puppers to swim off-leash. Let’s see that doggy paddle!
- Where: 14755 Cadiz Rd, Lore City, OH 43755
- Cost: Free
- Features: archery, dog park, fishing, trails
- Distance From Columbus: 91 miles
Buck Creek State Park
Buck Creek is 1,894 acres of park and 2,120 acres of lake that are great for the whole family, including the four-legged members. Unlimited horsepower boating is available on the lake, as well as seasonal dock rental. The hiking trails vary in difficulty and range from 1-8 miles in length. Take a long hike then cool off at the beach! Sounds pretty great, right?
- Where: 1976 Buck Creek Ln, Springfield, OH 45502
- Cost: Free
- Features: Boating, fishing, disc golf, trails, playground, camping
- Distance From Columbus: 80 miles
Have fun and stay hydrated!
Featured image via Maumee Bay State Park Facebook.
