From Lake To Amusement Park To Pool — 5 Kinds Of Swimming Adventures In Ohio

OHIO — Come on in, the water is fine!

As the heat beats down, nothing is quite as refreshing as a dip in the water. If you aren't lucky enough to have your own pool, or you just want to try out some exciting other options, check out our list of places for swimming in Ohio.

We chose five different types of swimming options so everyone can find a location that suits them. Enjoy!

Cedar Point Beach is a lesser-visited part of Cedar Point, but it is included with admission to the amusement park and water park and available to overnight visitors at a Cedar Point property and season passholders. The beach stretches 1 mile along Lake Erie, and it includes swimming during the amusement park's operating hours. Beach volleyball and lounge chairs rentals are also available. Cedar Point offers kayaking and paddleboarding rentals, priced by the half hour. This is the perfect place to go for a refreshing and relaxing swim or an activity-filled break from the heat or the long lines for rides at the park.

Kelleys Island State Park swim beach is located on the popular camping and boating island near the campground. The public swimming beach stretches 150 feet along Lake Erie with designated areas where swimming is permitted during daylight hours. The location is perfect for cooling off while camping on the island or visiting for the day. The Ohio Department of Health's BeachGuard provides water quality advisories throughout the summer, so check there to be sure the water is clean and clear before you cannonball.

Put-in-Bay is known for a lot of activities, but swimming is not one of them. On the opposite end of the main activity on South Bass Island lies South Bass Island State Park, which features a swimming area in a more relaxed spot, in contrast to the tourist hubbub of Put-in-Bay. The park also includes cabins and campgrounds, as well as a boat launch if you are looking for a more natural experience when staying on the island. BeachGuard is helpful here as well. The area is also reportedly "one of the best places to visit on the island to catch a spectacular, unobstructed view of a Put-in-Bay sunset. There is green space with park benches for relaxing and waterfront viewing." Plus, the campground still contains the remnants of the Old Victory Hotel, which was the largest in the 1800s until the resort burned to the ground in 1919, leaving only the old swimming pool and other relics. Swimming and exploring sounds pretty fun to us.

If you do not have time for a trip to the islands, look a little farther south at Portage Lakes State Park for a fantastic swimming option. Turkeyfoot Lake offers visitors a public swimming beach that is 900 feet long. You won't feel packed like a sardine as there is plenty of room to spread out and swim comfortably. If you partake in boating in Portage Lakes, you have a couple more swimming options. Rex Lake and Cottage Grove Lake also offer swimming areas designated for boaters.

Obviously, everyone cannot go to theme parks and islands every day — so for the last option, we have a free standby that never lets us down when we need a dip in the pool. Most public city pools are open and ready for business as of Memorial Day — the unofficial kickoff to summer. Be sure to check your local parks and recreation department website to confirm that your nearest location is open. For example, the city of Cleveland outdoor pools and spray parks do not open until the second weekend in June. In contrast, the city of Independence's outdoor pool and splash pad is already open.

Happy swimming!

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