Best Cleveland-area beaches

Ohio beaches? Of course. The north coast of Ohio boasts a smattering of excellent sand beaches along the shores of Lake Erie, one of the region's best free attractions. Greater Cleveland features a good selection of these, all well within an hour's drive of downtown. Here are a few of the best.

Edgewater Park
6700 Memorial Shoreway in Cleveland
216-881-8141
dnr.state.oh.us/parks/parks/clevelkf/tabid/721/Default.aspx

Just five minutes west of downtown Cleveland, the beach at Edgewater Park is worth including if only for the spectacular view of the city. But that's not all - the 419-acre park features a 900-foot swimming beach, picnic facilities, ample free parking, a playground and a fishing pier. It's also a great place to view the Fourth of July fireworks over downtown.

Headlands Beach State Park
9601 Headlands Road in Mentor
216-881-8141
dnr.state.oh.us/parks/tabid/742/Default.aspx

Mentor's Headlands Beach State Park, located about 45 minutes east of Cleveland, offers one of the area's most pristine stretches of white sand. It's convenient, too; you can park just a few feet from the sand. The mile-long beach here is the largest in the state, and beachgoers are rewarded with a view of the lighthouse at the eastern end of the beach. Facilities here include concessions, hiking trails, a playground, picnic facilities and a breakwall for fishing.

Geneva State Park
4499 Padanarum Road in Geneva
440-466-8400
dnr.state.oh.us/parks/tabid/736/Default.aspx

Located just west of the resort town of Geneva-on-the-Lake, the beach at Geneva State Park is a (usually) uncrowded 300-foot stretch of sand, backed by dunes and (on a clear day) a striking view of Ashtabula Harbor. Facilities include a six-mile hiking/biking trail, ample parking near the beach, fishing and picnic areas. The park also has a nearby marina and guest lodge with a restaurant, lounge and indoor swimming pool.

Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park
301 Huntington Beach Drive in Fairport Harbor
440-639-9972
lakemetroparks.com/select-park/fairport.shtml

Lake County's 21-acre Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park offers a long, sloping beach with a historic - and reputedly haunted - lighthouse. There are picnic facilities, seasonal concessions, showers and a playground. Fairport Harbor is also the location of the September Perchfest, Ohio's largest fish fry.

Beach at Huntington Reservation
28000 Lake Road in Bay Village
216-351-6300
cityofbayvillage.com/recreation/huntington.cfm

West of Cleveland, the beach at the Huntington Reservation of the Cleveland Metroparks offers a small cove-like sand beach with breakwalls for fishing. The park, which straddles Lake Road, offers picnic facilities and hiking and biking trails. The area is also home to the Huntington Playhouse, Bay Crafters (a shop for locally made arts and crafts items) and the free Lake Erie Nature & Science Center.