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12 Best Cleveland Beaches (By a Local)
Many people don’t think of beaches when they think of Cleveland. However, Cleveland, Ohio borders Lake Erie and is home to many great beaches.
I lived in Cleveland for 10 years and have put together a list of the top 12 beaches worth visiting.
Checking out the city’s beaches is one of the best things to do in Cleveland. Whether you want to do water sports or just lounge on the sand, there’s a perfect beach for you.
Want to jump around?
12 Best Beaches in Cleveland
Euclid Beach Park
A former amusement park on the Euclid Creek Reservation.
📍 Google Maps | Euclid Beach Park Website | 🅿️ Parking: Free parking in a private lot
You only need to drive about 15 minutes to the east from downtown Cleveland to get to Euclid Beach Park. This 650-foot-long beach is part of the Euclid Creek Reservation along the shores of Lake Erie.
Euclid Beach Park was once the site of the Euclid Beach Amusement Park. Today, you can enjoy remnants of the amusement park, such as a shuffleboard area.
Euclid Beach Park has a creek, playground, and pavilion where you can relax. Euclid Beach Pier is a scenic observation pier that offers a great view of the water and the Cleveland skyline. The grilling areas come in handy for barbecues and picnics.
Additionally, animal lovers can enjoy a small area of Euclid Beach Park with their canine companions!
📚 Related Reading: Did you know that Lake Erie is the warmest and most biologically productive of all the Great Lakes? Read about this and other interesting tidbits in my list of Cleveland facts!
Edgewater Beach
A large beach, known for stunning skyline views, Edgewater Park, and fun events.
📍 Google Maps | Edgewater Beach Website | 🅿️ Parking: Free parking in a private lot
Edgewater Beach is incredibly popular and one of the biggest beaches in Cleveland occupying 9,000 feet of the Lake Erie shoreline. It is the closest beach to downtown and is located right near Ohio City, one of the best areas to stay in Cleveland.
Edgewater Beach offers an amazing view of the Cleveland skyline. The beach tends to be packed in the summer, so come on weekdays to avoid crowds.
Edgewater Live is a popular summer event on Thursday nights that includes fun games and music, in addition to food trucks. Get snacks and drinks from the Edgewater Beach House, including Honey Hut ice cream.
Edgewater Park is adjacent to Edgewater Beach. It’s the location of one of the iconic white Cleveland script signs and an awesome beach volleyball area.
Cedar Point Beach
A stretch of beach that neighbors one of Ohio’s best amusement parks.
📍 Google Maps | Cedar Point Beach Website | 🅿️ Parking: Parking fee of $15-$25 per day for the park and beach
Many people know of Cedar Point Amusement Park. However, fewer people know that this Sandusky park is home to Cedar Point Beach. It’s about one hour west of downtown Cleveland.
The beach is visible from the tops of some of the park’s roller coasters. This opportunity to cool off is almost impossible to resist after an activity-filled day at the park! Access to the beach is included with admission to Cedar Point.
Cedar Point Beach is a mile-long beach with plenty of space to play whatever beach sports you want, including frisbee and beach volleyball. You can also rent jet skis and kayaks to have some fun in Lake Erie.
👉 Don’t Forget to Pack: A life jacket is crucial for any swimming excursion at the beach.
Nickel Plate Beach
This Huron beach is great for fishing, picnicking, and beach aerobics.
📍 Google Maps | Nickel Plate Beach Website | 🅿️ Parking: Parking fee of $6 per day (cash only)
Nickel Plate Beach consists of 12 acres and is the biggest public beach in Huron, a town 45 miles from Cleveland. You can have a picnic on the sand or under one of the picnic shelters. There are also grills available for use.
The Paddle Shack offers up an opportunity for you to rent beach equipment for fun water activities. There are no lifeguards, so swim with caution.
Dry off with a game of beach volleyball afterward! Anyone who wants to go fishing can do so at the Fishing Pier. Or walk to the nearby Huron Harbor Lighthouse for serene views of the lake.
Walk to Lake Front Park, a smaller beach with picnic areas, if you want a quieter experience.
Huntington Beach
A super-clean Bay Village beach with amazing views and lots of local wildlife.
📍 Google Maps | Huntington Beach Website | 🅿️ Parking: Free parking in a large lot and overflow lot
Huntington Beach is one of the cleanest beaches near the Cleveland area. It’s located in the Bay Village area. This is among the best beaches for observing wildlife.
You can explore the three miles of walking trails in the Huntington Reservation. Visit the onsite Lake Erie Nature & Science Center to learn more educational information about the area.
Relax on the sand or play games for a classic beach experience. You can go swimming or rent a kayak at Huntington Beach. When you’re hungry, enjoy food and beverages (including cocktails and Honey Hut ice cream) at the Noshery.
Head to the shaded picnic areas at Huntington Beach to see great views of Lake Erie.
Headlands Beach
The longest natural beach in Ohio, connected to a lighthouse and a nature preserve.
📍 Google Maps | Headlands Beach State Park Website | 🅿️ Parking: Free parking spaces in a numbered lot
Headlands Beach is located in Mentor and is a part of Headlands Beach State Park. This mile-long beach is the longest natural beach in the state and one of the most unique places to see in Ohio.
The neighboring Headlands Dunes State Nature Preserve is an amazing place to observe local wildlife. Monarch butterflies and bald eagles abound! Headlands Beach is connected to a small strip of land that crosses the Grand River to the Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park.
Just note that walking on Headlands Beach barefoot can be a little rough, as pebbles are mixed in with the sand.
Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park
A great family-friendly beach with a boardwalk, water activities, and a nearby creamery.
📍 Google Maps | Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park Website | 🅿️ Parking: Free parking in a lot
The Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park is connected to Headlands Beach State Park. It’s a smaller, family-friendly beach and was awarded the title of “Best Beach in Ohio” by Coastal Living.
This beach is home to a concession stand and playground. The iconic West Breakwater Lighthouse, maintained by the Coast Guard, offers amazing views of the sunset. The wooden boardwalk here contributes to a nostalgic vibe.
There are lifeguards on duty from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. every day. Go swimming, or rent a stand-up paddleboard or kayak. There’s even a dog-friendly swimming area!
And Fairport Harbor Creamery is right nearby – a scoop of ice cream will top off the perfect day at the beach.
Lakeview Park
A Lorain park on Lake Erie with activities for adults and kids.
📍 Google Maps | Lakeview Park Website | 🅿️ Parking: Free parking in a paved lot
Lakeview Park is a hidden gem beach with a fragrant rose garden. It’s located in Lorain, Ohio about 40 minutes from downtown Cleveland.
You can go swimming or kayaking, or just play beach volleyball. Or you can choose to sit and lounge in the amazingly soft sand. There’s a great beach playground for the kids, too!
Lakeview Park has concessions available for most of the day if you get hungry. There’s also The Sunset Café, which is open for lunch on weekdays.
Kelleys Island State Park Beach
Family-friendly, dog-friendly shores on an island within Lake Erie.
📍 Google Maps | Kelleys Island State Park Beach Website | 🅿️ Parking: Free parking in a small lot, $8 to park on the mainland before the ferry
Lake Erie is dotted with islands in addition to mainland beaches. One of these is Kelleys Island, about two hours from Cleveland. Drive to the lakeshore, then enjoy a ferry ride the rest of the way.
State Park Beach on this island is relatively quiet and relaxing compared to mainland beaches. This is no ordinary beach, as you can make a day of visiting island breweries and wineries. Dogs are welcome on leashes!
Of course, there are normal activities, like kayaking and swimming. There’s also the North Pond State Nature Reserve, full of fascinating local wildlife. Don’t forget the Glacial Grooves. This is a geological preserve with stunningly deep grooves in the limestone bedrock land and ancient marine fossils.
Geneva State Park
A quiet beach in the middle of wine country and a charming old-fashioned town.
📍 Google Maps | Geneva State Park Website | 🅿️ Parking: Two free parking lot options in downtown
Visit Geneva-on-the-Lake for a more secluded, private beach experience. It’s about 50 minutes east of Cleveland, and it’s better known as wine country than a beach.
Geneva-on-the-Lake has a very old-fashioned, nostalgic feel. Walking down the street, you’ll see vintage fast food diners, arcades, mini golf courses, and all sorts of other places known for fun family entertainment. It’s worth it to explore the wineries as well.
You can make a memorable day trip to Geneva State Park. Go swimming in the lake, or just sit anywhere on the 300 feet of shoreline and enjoy the view. You can also go on a boating tour, or stay on land and explore the six miles of hiking trails.
South Bass Island State Park
A tranquil gem amidst the hustle and bustle of Put-in-Bay.
📍 Google Maps | South Bass Island State Park Website | 🅿️ Parking: Free parking in a small lot, $8 to park on the mainland before the ferry
South Bass Island is the location of Put-in-Bay, which is popular among partygoers. However, the state park along the lake is quite peaceful.
South Bass Island State Park is home to a quaint rocky beach. There is a campground, so you can spend the night in a full-service campsite (reservations are required). You can also go fishing in this tranquil area of the lake.
Put-in-Bay has many wonderful wineries worth visiting. There’s also a great hidden beach bordering the lake at Scheeff East Point Nature Preserve. Check out the Lake Erie watersnake, gaggles of migratory songbirds, and more.
Perry’s Cave is another great Put-in-Bay destination. It’s a natural limestone cave with a mini golf course, butterfly house, and cool underground lake.
Columbia Beach
A beautiful quiet Bay Village beach with a cool and unusual waterfall.
📍 Google Maps | Columbia Beach Website | 🅿️ Parking: Free parking available across the street
Columbia Beach is a lovely little beach adjacent to the better-known Huntington Beach. Columbia Beach is one of the best-kept secrets of Bay Village and is home to a stunning waterfall that cascades into the lake.
You can enjoy the view of the waterfall and lake from the overlooking observation area or walk down the stairs and see it up close. However, be aware that the beach can be somewhat hard to access depending on the tides. Sometimes the water crashes right up against the bottom few steps, which can be dangerous for small children.
Columbia Park is a great place for dogs. Once you get to Columbia Dog Beach, you can take your canine companion off the leash to move around freely!
👉 Pro Tip: Cleveland has many amazing beaches where swimming is not recommended, but exploring is still worthwhile. Perkins Beach and Rocky River Park Beach are great places to collect beach glass and driftwood.
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I hope you found my guide on Cleveland beaches helpful! Looking for something else to do in Cleveland? Check out my guide on the best Cleveland museums! Have a great day at the beach!
(Featured Image Credit: BLAZE Pro / Shutterstock)
Helpful information, though Cedar Point, Nickle Plate and Geneva (not to mention the islands) are hardly “Cleveland”. They are a good distance and effort to get to. The city really needs to improve its lake access for swimming!