Cleveland has beaches! We’re hoping to check out the beaches in Lake Erie when we’re visiting friends there. Here are a few possibilities for a day in the sun. Most beaches have free parking nearby but can be limited, which is very different from Florida, where you have to always pay for it. I will first talk about the eastern beaches since we will be staying on this side of the city then go into the western beaches.
EASTERN BEACHES
Edgewater Beach
This beach is closest to downtown Cleveland and has a huge Cleveland sign for a photo op. You can also see the skyline in the distance.
Hours: 6 am until dusk
Address: Upper Edgewater Dr, Cleveland, OH 44102
Huntington Beach
This beach has concessions, a historic water tower, and free parking, but limited.
Hours: 6 am to 11 pm daily
Address: 28492-28648 Lake Rd, Bay Village, OH 44140
Lake Erie Nature and Science Center (Near Huntington Beach)
Before you go to Huntington Beach you can check out the Lake Erie Nature and Science Center. The center has a planetarium, animals to see and wildlife exhibits. Admission is Free!
Hours: 9 am to 4 pm daily
Address: 28728 Wolf Rd, Bay Village, OH 44140
Wallace Lake Beach
An 18-acre lake in Berea that has this small beach in Mill Stream Run Reservation and nearby you can find the Quarry Rock Café. There are also paddle boat rentals on the lake.
Hours: 11 am to 7 pm
Address: 213 Prospect St, Berea, OH 44017
Lakeview Park
Besides the beach, the park includes a playground, gazebo, and rose garden. Nearby sites include the Lorain Harbor Lighthouse and Charles Berry Bridge, which is a historic drawbridge.
Hours: 8 am to 11 pm
Address: 1800 W Erie Ave, Lorain, OH 44052
Main Street Beach (Vermillion)
A small beach with free parking, although bathroom facilities are only a porta-potty. It is only a short walk from downtown Vermillion that includes a Soda Grill and a small lighthouse.
Address: 480 Main St, Vermilion, OH 44089
Nickel Plate Beach
(Currently Closed for Renovation)
Sandy beach with picnic facilities, volleyball courts and playground.
Hours: Monday- Thursday 6 am – 7 pm; Friday – Saturday 6 am – 6 pm; Sunday 9 am – 10 pm
Address: 1 Nickel Plate Dr, Huron, OH 44839
WESTERN BEACHES
Euclid Beach Park
The beach area was home to Euclid Beach (Amusement) Park until 1969. You can still see a few remnants of this time including a historic archway that was once the entrance. The beach has shaded picnic areas, a pier, a small playground, and pavilion.
Hours: 5 am to 10 pm daily
Address: 16301 Lakeshore Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44110
Headlands Beach State Park
The largest beach in the state at a mile long, there are concessions, playground, first aid station, restrooms, picnic shelter, and a fishing area.
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Address: 9601 Headlands Rd, Mentor, OH 44060
Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park
Beach has a boardwalk, picnic tables and changing rooms. Downtown Fairport is also nearby along with the Fairport Marine Museum and Lighthouse – has limited hours – Open: 1 pm – 6 pm – Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.
Hours: 6 am – 11 pm
Address: 301 Huntington Beach Dr, Fairport Harbor, OH 44077
Madison Township Park
It has a small beach with a playground.
Hours: 8 am – 8:30 pm Monday- Friday and closed Saturday and Sundays
Address: 2065 Hubbard Rd, Madison, OH 44057
Geneva State Park
State park with a 300-foot swimming beach and the park has a number of activities available besides swimming.
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Address: 4499 Padanarum Rd, Geneva, OH 44041
The park is near Geneva-On-The- Lake, which has an amusement park called Adventure Zone and restaurants.
Beach Conditions Note
Before you head out for the day to a Cleveland area beach make sure to check out the websites below to know if the beach is open. They can be closed at times for a variety of reasons, algae blooms, high waves, E.Coli, etc.
https://ny.water.usgs.gov/maps/nowcast/
http://publicapps.odh.ohio.gov/beachguardpublic/
