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CALENDAR
Extending into Lake Erie from the Marblehead Peninsula, the 1,500-foot beach at East Harbor State Park is protected from strong waves by four breakwaters and boasts fine, barefoot-friendly sand. The designated swimming area has a gentle gradient with no drop-offs, and because of the shallow waters at two sandbars flanking the beach, boaters like to drop anchor and swim from their vessels. TIP: The park’s beach house has modern facilities, and ramps for launching canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards are located near the beach. 419-734-4424; www.ohiodnr.gov/wps/portal/gov/ odnr/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/eastharbor-state-park
East Harbor State Park Beach
Edgewater Beach, Cleveland
Minutes from downtown Cleveland, horseshoe-shaped Edgewater Beach is famous for its stunning vistas of both the city’s skyline and Lake Erie’s spellbinding sunsets. The 2,400-foot sand beach is a part of Edgewater Park, which offers a marina, a fishing pier, and walking trails. Rent cabanas and paddleboards at the nature shop or dine lakeside at Edgewater Beach House, a seasonal café featuring made-to-order sandwiches and an outdoor bar ideal for people-watching. TIP: Dogs are welcome on the beach’s west end. www.clevelandmetroparks.com/parks/visit/parks/ lakefront-reservation/edgewater-beach
Headlands Beach, Mentor
Ohio’s longest natural beach covers a whopping 35 acres and stretches from Headlands Beach State Park into adjacent Headlands Dunes State Nature Preserve. It’s a haven for swimmers, sunbathers, and beach glass hunters and also attracts nature-lovers and birders — the lakeshore dunes harbor rare flora and fauna, as well as migrating songbirds and monarch butterflies. TIP: Fairport Harbor West Breakwater Lighthouse is visible from the beach and provides an excellent backdrop for photos.
Edgewater Beach
Headlands Beach (from previous page)
COURTESY OF OHIO DEPARTMENT
Kelleys Island State Park Beach, Kelleys Island
What better escape than a beach tucked away on the north bay of an island? Considered one of Lake Erie’s prettiest expanses of sand, the 100-foot swimming beach is surrounded by shade trees and has a gradual slope that is especially favorable for younger children. Slide kayaks into the lake at the convenient launch and pick up soft drinks, snacks, and sunblock at the park office. TIP: Walk over to the Glacial Grooves State Memorial to witness eye-popping evidence of the massive ice sheets that carved the Great Lakes.
Kelleys Island State Park Beach
COURTESY OF LAKE ERIE SHORES & ISLANDS
Lakeside Beach, Lakeside Chautauqua
Lakeside Chautauqua is a gated community dedicated to nurturing the mind, body, and spirit. Thanks to a prime location on the Marblehead Peninsula, it also possesses “Ohio’s Most Beautiful Mile.” The delightfully scenic shoreline includes a small, sandy beach adjacent to a large, 700-foot swimming and fishing dock, and you’ll find a raft of recreational options — sailboats, kayaks, and paddleboards; minigolf; and picnicking in the airy, Victorian-style pavilion — available at or near the water.
TIP: Lakeside requires guests and residents to purchase passes, but youngsters under age 12 are admitted free.
419-798-4461, ext. 266; www.lakesideohio.com
The fact that Vermilion’s Main Street ends on a beach tells you all you need to know about why the little town is a quintessential Lake Erie destination. Marked by a replica of an erstwhile lighthouse, the popular beach has an observation deck for watching boats, birds, and sunsets, and its kayak launch provides access to a unique river and open-water paddling experience on the 27-mile-long Vermilion-Lorain Water Trail.
TIP: It’s an easy walk from the beach to downtown Vermilion’s wealth of indie shops and restaurants.
Nickel Plate Beach, Huron
Known for exceptionally soft sand, the beach occupies 12 acres of Nickel Plate Railroad property and has volleyball courts, a playground, a picnic shelter, a designated swimming area, and a good view of the Huron Lighthouse. Rent kayaks and beach gear at the on-site Paddle Shack, but bring your own game equipment to use the permanent pingpong table and cornhole boards.
TIP: The parking fee is $6 per vehicle.
Nickel Plate Beach
www.cityofvermilion.com; www.mainstreetvermilion.org
Main Street Beach
Lakeside Beach
