17 Low-Key Beaches Within Driving Distance of Cincinnati

By CityBeat Staff on Fri, May 21, 2021 at 12:06 pm

Ohio may be landlocked, but that don't let that fool you — we have plenty of breezy beach options for when the water is calling your name. Yes, they may be on a lake or riverfront, but they check most of our boxes when we're in need of a little sand between our toes, sunshine on our skin and a cool, refreshing dip in the water.

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Indiana Dunes National Park

1600 N. 25 East, Chesterton, Indiana
Distance: 4 hours
Indiana Dunes is the state’s only National Park. With a 15-mile coastline, 70 miles of trails and several sand dunes on the shore, the park is a beautiful hidden gem in northern Indiana.
Photo via Facebook.com/INDUNES

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Caesar Creek State Park

8570 OH-73, Waynesville, Ohio
Distance: 1 hour
Caesar Creek State Park offers a 1,300-foot beach that is open to the public from dusk to dawn. After a day of hiking, mountain biking, fishing or boating, hang out on the beach or take a dip in the lake.
Photo: Jason Hale

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East Fork State Park

3294 Elklick Road, Bethel, Ohio
Distance: 45 minutes
One of Ohio’s largest state parks, East Fork in Clermont County is home to a beach on East Fork Lake. Additional camping amenities and trails for hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking, as well as access to fishing and boating, make East Fork a must-see weekend getaway this summer.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

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Nolin Lake State Park

2998 Brier Creek Road, Mammoth Cave, Kentucky
Distance: 3 hours
The 333-acre Nolin Lake State Park is on the northern perimeter of Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky, but the lake itself covers nearly 5,800 acres. Nolin Lake is home to unique wildlife, beautiful scenery and plenty of areas to explore. Caves along the water and plenty of jumping rocks make the destination a no-brainer for the adventurous, and the beach at the state park is a great place to relax after a long day on the water.
Photo via Facebook.com/NolinLakeStatePark

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Jump Rock Swimming Hole

Robbie Ridge Road, Stanton, Kentucky
Distance: 2 hours
Jump Rock is a famous spot to those familiar with Red River Gorge. Drive into the RRG Geological Area and soon after passing through Nada Tunnel, park at the Sheltowee Trace Trail parking lot. Hike the short trail and cross the suspension bridge over Red River to gain access to the small sand beach and the best swimming hole in the gorge.
Photo via Facebook.com/OfficialRedRiverGorge

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Hueston Woods

College Corner, Ohio
Distance: 1 hour
Hueston Woods Beach is free to the public and open dawn to dusk. Sit on the beach and watch boats pass by, rent a kayak or camp or stay in one of the many cabins or the lodge within the state park.
Photo via Facebook.com/HuestonWoodsStatePark

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Old Field Beach at Indian Lake State Park

OH-235, Lakeview, Ohio
Distance: 2 hours
Within Indian Lake State Park, Old Field Beach provides two beaches for swimmers on its 5,100-acre man-made lake .
Photo via

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Brookville Lake

14108 State Route 101, Brookville, Indiana
Distance: 1 hour
A lakefront park only an hour from downtown Cincinnati that offers camping, hiking and boating in addition to the beach that you can kick back and relax on.
Photo via Facebook.com/BrookvilleLakecom

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Nickel Plate Beach

1 Nickel Plate Drive, Huron, Ohio
Distance: 3 hours 45 minutes
Nested on Lake Erie, Nickel Plate Beach is on the shore right between Toledo and Cleveland. Cookout on one of the available grills and play beach volleyball at the courts, or rent paddle boards and kayaks and hit the water.
Photo via Facebook.com/NickelPlateBeach

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Kelleys Island State Park Beach

920 N. Division St., Kelleys Island, Ohio
Distance: 4 hours 15 minutes
Kelleys Island State Park is located in Lake Erie’s Emerald Isle. The small but beautiful 100-foot beach is great for families and those looking for some relaxing time with Mother Nature.
Photo via kelleysisland.com/swimgatsandybeach

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East Harbor State Park Beach

1169 N. Buck Road, Lakeside-Marblehead, Ohio
Distance: 3 hours 30 minutes
East Harbor State Park on Lake Erie is home to a 1,500-foot beach. Spend the day hiking in the State Park or check out the Marblehead Lighthouse before relaxing on the sand.
Photo via Facebook.com/EastHarborStatePark

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Alum Creek State Park Beach

3400 Lewis Center Road, Lewis Center, Ohio
Distance: 2 hours
Alum Creek State Park is home to the Ohio state park system’s largest inland beach. The 3,000-foot beach offers designated swimming areas, picnic areas and beach volleyball courts as well as close proximity to north Columbus.
Photo via Facebook.com/AlumCreekStatePark

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Salt Fork State Park Beach

14755 Cadiz Road, Lore City, Ohio
Distance: 3 hours
Salt Fork is the largest state park in Ohio. Fire up one of the provided grills to cookout on the beach, go fishing or hiking within the park, or spend a day on the water at this 2,500-foot inland beach.
Photo via Facebook.com/SaltForkStatePark

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Geneva State Park Beach

4499 Padanarum Road, Geneva, Ohio
Distance: 4 hours 15 mins
Geneva State Park is home to a child and pet-friendly beach that sits on the shore of Lake Erie in Northeast Ohio. After spending some time on the shore, head over to Geneva-on-the-Lake for some time in the quaint, old-school beach town.
Photo via parks.ohiodnr.gov/geneva

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Headlands Beach State Park

9601 Headlands Road, Mentor, Ohio
Distance: 4 hours
Headlands Beach State Park is home to the largest natural beach in the state of Ohio and neighbors the Headlands Dunes State Nature Preserve.
Photo via

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Cedar Point Beach

1 Cedar Point Drive, Sandusky, Ohio
Distance: 4 hours
Starting July 9, Cedar Point's world famous amusement park will open its doors for Season, Gold and Platinum pass holders. The park will fully open to the public on July 11. Cedar Point isn’t only home to the world-class amusement park however. Visitors at Cedar Point Amusement Park and Soak City Waterpark also have access to Cedar Point Beach, a one-mile beach along Lake Erie. During the summer, stick around the beach for parties and firework shows, as well as late park hours.
Photo via Facebook.com/CedarPoint

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Burr Oak Lake Beach

10220 Burr Oak Lodge Road, Glouster, Ohio
Distance: 3 hours
Burr Oak Lake is a small man-made lake in Glouster, Ohio. The 500-foot beach lies within Burr Oak State Park and is a great place to take in the natural landscape of Ohio. Sit back and watch the diverse bird population or start up a game of beach volleyball right by the water.
Photo via stayburroak.com

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