CLEVELAND, Ohio – Welcome, summer. We’re glad you’re (finally!) here.

To honor your return, we’ve put together a list of our favorite Lake Erie beaches, perfect for early-morning strolls, late-afternoon swims and everything in between.

Whatever kind of beach you prefer – loud and crowded, small and serene – there’s a stretch of sand nearby that’s perfect for you.

True, Lake Erie isn’t the ocean, and the sand here isn’t the fine white powder you’ll find in the Caribbean.

But you can’t beat the amenities – from volleyball courts to paddleboard rentals to a beach toy library.

We’ve got big-city beaches and small-town beaches, suburban beaches and even one on an island.

All have restrooms (although Nickel Plate in Huron uses portable toilets), many have concessions, some have lifeguards.

And while we’re focused on the Ohio coast, we just had to include one park in Pennsylvania — Presque Isle State Park in Erie, which might just be Lake Erie’s finest stretch of sand.

As always, do some research before heading to the shore to make sure the water is safe to swim in.

Related: Is it safe to swim in Lake Erie? What to check before heading to the beach

Here, then, our list of 15 best beaches on Ohio’s Lake Erie coast, plus one in Pennsylvania, organized east to west:

480 Lake Road, Conneaut

Head to the northeastern corner of Ohio for this quarter-mile long stretch of sand, clean and well-maintained, with a network of boardwalks for stroller-pushing parents. Amenities include a playground, restrooms and concession stand.

There’s a mobility mat for wheelchair users, plus a beach toy library if you forget your pail and shovel.

Reminder: Come mid-August, the beach will be transformed into 1944-era France, for what is considered the largest D-Day re-enactment in the world. The event, Aug. 14-16, is free and open to the public, although the beach will be closed to regular users.

Information: conneauttownshippark.com

Walnut Beach Park

1645 Walnut Blvd, Ashtabula

This lovely stretch of sand, spread across 28 acres, features lifeguards, beach volleyball courts, a new inclusive playground, a mobility mat for wheelchair use, plus a concession stand.

Walnut Beach is just west of the Ashtabula River, a five-minute drive from Ashtabula’s fun, funky Bridge Street District, with restaurants, shopping and the new 43-room Riverbend Hotel.

Information: cityofashtabula.com/parks

Geneva State Park

4499 Padanarum Road, Geneva

The stretch of sand runs 600 feet in length, part of a state park that includes nearby camping, hiking, ziplining and the lovely Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake. You’re also a short drive from Geneva-on-the-Lake, the summer vacation town with a retro vibe.

Information: ohiodnr.gov

Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park

301 Huntington Beach Drive, Fairport Harbor

Located just east of the Grand River, Fairport Harbor’s beach is among the region’s very best, with kayaks and paddleboards to rent, a playground, concessions, restrooms and lifeguards. There are plenty of picnic tables, plus a boardwalk for easy beach strolling. There’s even a stretch of the beach designated for our four-legged family members.

The beach is free, but there is a fee to park: $2 for Lake County residents, $3 for others.

Don’t forget to stop at Fairport Harbor Creamery on your way out for a perfect post-beach treat.

Information: lakemetroparks.com

Headlands Beach State Park

9601 Headlands Road, Mentor

Across the river from Fairport Harbor is Ohio’s largest stretch of sand, Headlands Beach. A mile long and a football-field deep, Headlands is one of the state’s most popular parks, although you shouldn’t have much trouble finding a stretch of sand here on a hot day. There’s room enough for all in this giant sandbox.

The park is adjacent to Headlands Dunes State Nature Preserve, with another long stretch of beachfront.

Information: ohiodnr.gov

16301 Lakeshore Blvd., Cleveland

These side-by-side beaches, part of Cleveland Metroparks’ Euclid Creek Reservation, stretch across 650 feet of lakefront about 10 miles east of downtown Cleveland. Lifeguards are on duty at the eastern, Villa Angela portion of the beach. Also here: the Euclid Pier, playground, picnic areas and concessions at nearby Wildwood Marina.

Information: clevelandmetroparks.com

Edgewater Beach

6500 Cleveland Memorial Shoreway, Cleveland

Just west of downtown, Edgewater is the premier lakefront spot in Greater Cleveland, with a terrific, 2,400-foot-long sandy beach, plus the Beach House, with a variety of concessions, including Honey Hut ice cream, as well as a second-floor bar.

There’s a Cleveland Public Library BookBox here, with books available for beach readers, plus concerts on select Thursdays. The Nature Shop rents chairs, umbrellas, lockers and games on weekends.

Information: clevelandmetroparks.com

One problem at Edgewater (and other urban beaches): Big storms occasionally cause sewage overflows, which makes swimming temporarily unhealthy. The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District monitors conditions at neorsd.org/beaches-and-water-quality

Huntington Beach

8649 Lake Road, Bay Village

Summer in the suburbs doesn’t get much better than this: A 2,342-foot long beach, accessible via several sets of stairs from the shaded bluffs above (with a handicap-accessible pathway for those who can’t do steps). Lifeguards are on duty daily.

Also here: the Noshery, which features a variety of food and drink, including beer and Honey Hut ice cream. Karen’s Way Place Space, a nature-themed playground, was new in 2024.

New this year: A trackless train ride, weekends only, for $5.

Information: clevelandmetroparks.com

Lakeview Beach

1800 W. Erie Ave., Lorain

Lorain County’s premier lakefront park features soft, groomed sand, with lifeguards, a waterfront playground, beach volleyball courts, plus the Sunset Café overlooking the water (open 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday to Friday). Also here: Little Library on the Lake, with beach chairs, umbrellas, games and other equipment to borrow.

Information: loraincountymetroparks.com/lakeview-park

Main Street Beach

Vermilion

This stretch of sand is small but mighty, within an easy walk of delightful downtown Vermilion. A replica of the historic Vermilion Lighthouse sits at the west end of the beach; the Shore Thing concession stand is on the east end.

The park, just 4 acres, sits at the northern end of Main Street, which is lined with restaurants and shops.

Information: cityofvermilionohio.gov

Nickel Plate Beach

1 Nickel Plate Dr., Huron

This lovely strand is tucked along the east side of the Huron River, with scenic views of the Huron Lighthouse. There are beach volleyball courts here, a playground and the Paddle Shack, with snacks for purchase and kayaks, paddle boards and beach games to rent. There are no full service restrooms; you’ll have to make do with portable toilets.

Note: Currents can be tricky here, and there are no lifeguards on duty.

Also note: There is a $7 fee to park at the beach.

Information: cityofhuron.org

Cedar Point Beach

1 Cedar Point Dr., Sandusky

There may be no better place to play in the sand than the historic mile-long Cedar Point beach, with roller coasters and Hotel Breakers as a backdrop.

The beach is free to visit, although you’ll have to fork over $35 for parking.

Although you can’t access the park without a ticket, you can enjoy beach activities, including concessions, parasailing, jet ski and paddle-board rentals.

Information: cedarpoint.com/cedar-point-beach

Kelleys Island State Park

920 Division St., Kelleys Island

The beach at Kelleys Island State Park is small and shallow – perfect for younger kids and their nervous parents. The best part may be getting here: hopping a ferry from Marblehead and then renting a golf cart for the ride to the north side of the island.

There are kayak and paddleboard rentals. And you’re a short walk from the park’s famous glacial grooves.

Information: ohiodnr.gov

East Harbor State Park

1169 N. Buck Road, Marblehead

The 1,500-foot-long beach at East Harbor is protected by several breakwalls, which keep the water calm and shallow. There’s a bathhouse here, plus a playground and picnic tables. This beach is adjacent to the state’s largest campground – with nearly 600 sites – so consider making a weekend out of it.

Information: ohiodnr.gov

Maumee Bay State Park

1400 State Park Road, Oregon

Lake Erie’s westernmost public beach is the centerpiece of one of the state’s top parks, Maumee Bay, with a lodge, camping and Scottish links-style golf course. The beach is nearly a half-mile long, with plenty of space to spread your towel. The park also maintains a beach on a small inland lake, a short walk from the Lake Erie shore (although geese droppings can be a problem).

Restrooms and outdoor showers are located between the two beaches.

When the kids get bored of playing in the sand, there’s a playground, a nature center, plus canoe and paddleboard rentals.

Note: The park’s location just east of the mouth of the Maumee River means that water quality can be an issue. Consult beach advisories before heading into the water.

Information: ohiodnr.gov

Presque Isle State Park

301 Peninsula Dr., Erie, Pa.

Presque Isle – a peninsula that stretches 7 miles into the water — offers 13 sandy beaches, one (or more) for every kind of beachgoer. Among the most popular with families: Beach 7 (Waterworks Beach), with restrooms, playground equipment and picnic areas; and Beach 11, with shallow water, concessions, a playground and more.

Also here: Scenic boat tours, kayak and bicycle rentals, a lighthouse and more.

For a full day of activity, spend a few hours at nearby Waldameer, a family-friendly amusement park on the Lake Erie shore.

Information: pa.gov

Related

Live like a winemaker in the Lonz Mansion, Middle Bass Island’s newest overnight inn

Exploring Lake Erie’s Pelee Island, an easy Canadian getaway via ferry from Sandusky

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Junior Vera Sjöberg of the Boston University women’s track & field and cross country teams was named the Patriot League Women’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year, the league announced Wednesday.
 

The Stockholm, Sweden native won three individual Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors during the season, earning one in each of the cross country, indoor track & field and outdoor track & field seasons. She was also named to the Academic All-Patriot League Team in each season and won a major award from the league for her athletic accomplishments.
 
“I am so proud of Vera for earning Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year,” said Grant Cartwright, Boston University’s Director of Track and Field and Cross Country. “Her resume of work in the Patriot League is historic on both the conference and national levels. She has accomplished all this while being an excellent scholar. She is a true role model and a shining example of the type of person we want representing Boston University.”
 
Sjöberg earned her bachelor’s degree in just three years on Comm. Ave, finishing with a 3.97 GPA as an English major with a minor in women, gender and sexuality. She was named to the Dean’s List six times and has won five total Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors, with two coming during the 2023-24 academic year.
 
During the cross country season, Sjöberg was the individual champion at the PL Cross Country Championships and earned Runner of the Meet honors. She went on to finish seventh at the NCAA Northeast Regional, earning All-Region status and advancing to the NCAA Cross Country Championships. She took 42^nd at that meet, just two spots shy of All-American status.
 
At the Patriot League Indoor Championships, Sjöberg dominated, winning the mile, 3000m and 5000m, leading for every single lap she raced. The Swede earned Patriot League Track Athlete of the Meet and Highest Point Scorer honors. Sjöberg also became the first BU woman to qualify for the NCAA Indoor Championships since 2014, as she finished eighth in the mile and was named First Team All-American.
 
Once she shifted to the outdoor season, her reign over the League continued, as she won the 1500m and 5000m at the Patriot League Championships, with meet records in both, and contributed to BU’s school record-breaking 4x800m gold medal win. Sjöberg once again snagged Track Athlete of the Meet honors and at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, she became the first woman in League and BU history to double, racing in both the 1500m and the 5000m.
 
Sjöberg finished as national runner-up in the 5000m with a time of 15:34.77 at the NCAA Championships, the best finish by a League or BU woman ever. That also earned her First Team All-America honors in the event. She also qualified for the 1500m final and finished 11^th, snagging a Second Team All-America nod.
 
Sjöberg is the third Terriers’ women’s student-athlete to receive the prestigious League award, joining Caitlin Coker (softball, 2023) and Allison Barwise (outdoor track and field, 2014).
 
The Patriot League Women’s and Men’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year is presented annually. The candidates for these honors are comprised of student-athletes selected as the scholar-athlete of the year in their respective sports. For the 2024-25 academic year, there were 22 different candidates from 24 Patriot League sports.

CHAMPAIGN — Illinois volleyball coach Chris Tamas moved quickly to fill the open spot on his coaching staff, hiring former Pennsylvania coach Meredith Schamun as associate head coach Tuesday.

“We interviewed several great candidates and as the process went on, it was clear that Meredith’s experience as an assistant and head coach will help Illinois volleyball tremendously as we transition into the new era of college athletics,” Tamas said in a statement. “She has a vast recruiting background as well as a deep knowledge of Xs and Os of our game. Her passion and drive for coaching and developing players will add our continued success here at Illinois.”

Schamun, who spent the past four seasons at Penn, will replace Krista Hendrickson on the Illinois coaching staff. Hendrickson was hired away by her alma mater, Washington, last week.

Schamun went 27-67 in four seasons leading the Quakers after inheriting a program that did not compete in 2020 (either in the fall or the delayed spring season) like rest of the Ivy League. That four-year mark includes a 13-10 record last fall with a 7-7 record in the Ivy League. Both were a significant improvement compared to the 2022 and 2023 seasons.

“I was not actively searching for a new coaching position; I was excited for the upcoming season and especially the direction the program is heading,” Schamun said in Penn’s release announcing her resignation. “However, an opportunity has come my way that I believe is the right choice for me at this point in my career. I am grateful to for the opportunity I have coming up, to coach in the Big Ten at the University of Illinois.”

Penn hired Schamun following her two-year run as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Villanova. She also spent two seasons at Tulane as an assistant coach and was also the director of volleyball operations at UCF for two seasons.

Schamun was a four-year starter at setter for Rice and was the Conference USA Setter of the Year in 2009 as a junior when she also earned honorable mention AVCA All-American honors. She left Rice as the Owls’ all-time leader in assists with 5,190.