Summertime is the best time.
If you’re looking for some neat places to swim that aren’t your local—and likely crowded—pool, then these 10 lesser-known swimming spots in Ohio are perfect. From stunning quarries to natural swimming holes in Ohio, there’s a little something for everyone. Take the day off, gather the family and head to one of these beautiful spots for an unforgettable beach (or poolside) day of fun in the sun.
- White Star Quarry
whitestarquarry.com Most people don’t know there’s a stunning, sapphire quarry in Sandusky County. Tucked away in the small town of Gibsonburg, Ohio, you’ll find White Star Quarry. It’s a little-known diving resort that Ohio explorers will fall in love with. If you’d rather not scuba dive, you can always check out the designated swimming area or have a picnic by the quarry. Address: 925 South Main Street, Gibsonburg, OH, 43431 Click here for directions and more information.
- The Slip N Fly
The Slip N Fly/Facebook If you’ve ever wanted to know what it’s like to fly, there’s a truly epic waterslide in Ohio that belongs at the top of your bucket list. Most people have no idea there’s a truly massive slip n’ slide hiding at Ohio Dreams Action Sports Camp in Butler, Ohio. The camp’s famous Slip N Fly launches its riders several feet in the air for the ultimate ride you just can’t experience on the average waterslide. Address: 3495 Tugend Road, Butler, OH, 44822 Click here for directions and more information.
- Headlands Beach
George Bernstein/Flickr Although Ohio isn’t home to any white sand beaches, there’s a gorgeous beach along Lake Erie that comes pretty close. Headlands Beach State Park in Mentor, Ohio features a mile-long natural sand beach that’s unbelievably picturesque. A beach day here will make you temporarily forget you’re in Ohio—because Lake Erie really is our own special sort of ocean here. Address: 9601 Headlands Road, Mentor, OH, 44060 Click here for directions and more information.
- Natural Springs Resort
Natural Springs Resort/Facebook Natural Springs Resort in New Paris, Ohio is a lesser-known gem that features a beautiful, spring-fed lake. It’s the picture perfect place to take a dip on a sunny day or camp for the weekend. (And if you’d rather not swim in the spring-fed lake, there’s also a heated pool at Natural Springs Resort.) Address: 500 South Washington Street, New Paris, OH, 45347 Click here for directions and more information.
- Sunlite Pool
Coney Island Amusement Park/Facebook Coney Island Amusement Park in Cincinnati is home to the world’s largest recirculating pool in the world. Sunlite Pool is truly massive. In fact, it’s larger than a football field. Most people don’t realize how much of a hidden gem it really is. Address: 6201 Kellogg Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45230 Click here for directions and more information.
- Mineral Springs Lake
Mineral Springs Lake Resort Peebles Ohio/Facebook Tucked away in Adams County, you’ll find the hidden gem of Mineral Springs Lake, a picturesque lake fed by natural spring water that’s loaded with nature’s healthy minerals. The lake covers more than 100 acres with five and a half miles of peaceful shoreline. It is surrounded by approximately 500 acres of serene nature—and it’s a truly peaceful, all natural getaway from it all. Address: 160 Bluegill Road, Peebles, OH, 45660 Click here for directions and more information.
- Long’s Retreat Family Resort
Long’s Retreat Family Resort/Facebook Long’s Retreat Family Resort in Latham is a hidden gem that locals enjoy summer after summer for some unforgettable family fun in the sun. With three water slides, a large swimming beach and a splash pad, there’s something for everyone here. Address: 50 Bell Hollow Road, Latham, OH, 45646 Click here for directions and more information.
- Deer Creek State Park Lodge
Mangement Photos/Trip Advisor Deer Creek State Park is home to an incredible lodge and conference center that’s the perfect place for some peace, quiet and a little adventure. There’s an outside pool, an inside pool and much more to do here. Address: 22300 State Park Road 20, Mt Sterling, OH, 43143 Click here for directions and more information.
- Cedar Point Beach
Andrew Borgen/Flickr While the beach behind Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky, Ohio isn’t necessarily a secret, it’s not the most accessible beach—making it seem a like an exclusive, picture perfect beach away from it all. If you’ve never been here before, it’s definitely worth a visit. Take a peaceful break from your roller coaster mania or check into the beach’s nearby hotels for a picturesque Ohio beach experience you won’t soon forget. Address: 1 Cedar Point Drive, Sandusky, OH 44870 Click here for directions and more information.
- Baylor Beach Park
Baylor Beach Park/Facebook This 2-acre water park lake in Navarre features tons of family fun. Make a mini summer vacation out of it and camp here as well. Address: 8777 Manchester Avenue Southwest, Navarre, OH 44662
Have you been to any of these places before? What other little-known swimming holes in Ohio would you recommend? Share your thoughts, photos and experiences with us!
whitestarquarry.com
Most people don’t know there’s a stunning, sapphire quarry in Sandusky County. Tucked away in the small town of Gibsonburg, Ohio, you’ll find White Star Quarry. It’s a little-known diving resort that Ohio explorers will fall in love with. If you’d rather not scuba dive, you can always check out the designated swimming area or have a picnic by the quarry. Address: 925 South Main Street, Gibsonburg, OH, 43431 Click here for directions and more information.
The Slip N Fly/Facebook
If you’ve ever wanted to know what it’s like to fly, there’s a truly epic waterslide in Ohio that belongs at the top of your bucket list. Most people have no idea there’s a truly massive slip n’ slide hiding at Ohio Dreams Action Sports Camp in Butler, Ohio. The camp’s famous Slip N Fly launches its riders several feet in the air for the ultimate ride you just can’t experience on the average waterslide. Address: 3495 Tugend Road, Butler, OH, 44822 Click here for directions and more information.
George Bernstein/Flickr
Although Ohio isn’t home to any white sand beaches, there’s a gorgeous beach along Lake Erie that comes pretty close. Headlands Beach State Park in Mentor, Ohio features a mile-long natural sand beach that’s unbelievably picturesque. A beach day here will make you temporarily forget you’re in Ohio—because Lake Erie really is our own special sort of ocean here. Address: 9601 Headlands Road, Mentor, OH, 44060 Click here for directions and more information.
Natural Springs Resort/Facebook
Natural Springs Resort in New Paris, Ohio is a lesser-known gem that features a beautiful, spring-fed lake. It’s the picture perfect place to take a dip on a sunny day or camp for the weekend. (And if you’d rather not swim in the spring-fed lake, there’s also a heated pool at Natural Springs Resort.) Address: 500 South Washington Street, New Paris, OH, 45347 Click here for directions and more information.
Coney Island Amusement Park/Facebook
Coney Island Amusement Park in Cincinnati is home to the world’s largest recirculating pool in the world. Sunlite Pool is truly massive. In fact, it’s larger than a football field. Most people don’t realize how much of a hidden gem it really is. Address: 6201 Kellogg Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45230 Click here for directions and more information.
Mineral Springs Lake Resort Peebles Ohio/Facebook
Tucked away in Adams County, you’ll find the hidden gem of Mineral Springs Lake, a picturesque lake fed by natural spring water that’s loaded with nature’s healthy minerals. The lake covers more than 100 acres with five and a half miles of peaceful shoreline. It is surrounded by approximately 500 acres of serene nature—and it’s a truly peaceful, all natural getaway from it all. Address: 160 Bluegill Road, Peebles, OH, 45660 Click here for directions and more information.
Long’s Retreat Family Resort/Facebook
Long’s Retreat Family Resort in Latham is a hidden gem that locals enjoy summer after summer for some unforgettable family fun in the sun. With three water slides, a large swimming beach and a splash pad, there’s something for everyone here. Address: 50 Bell Hollow Road, Latham, OH, 45646 Click here for directions and more information.
Mangement Photos/Trip Advisor
Deer Creek State Park is home to an incredible lodge and conference center that’s the perfect place for some peace, quiet and a little adventure. There’s an outside pool, an inside pool and much more to do here. Address: 22300 State Park Road 20, Mt Sterling, OH, 43143 Click here for directions and more information.
Andrew Borgen/Flickr
While the beach behind Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky, Ohio isn’t necessarily a secret, it’s not the most accessible beach—making it seem a like an exclusive, picture perfect beach away from it all. If you’ve never been here before, it’s definitely worth a visit. Take a peaceful break from your roller coaster mania or check into the beach’s nearby hotels for a picturesque Ohio beach experience you won’t soon forget. Address: 1 Cedar Point Drive, Sandusky, OH 44870 Click here for directions and more information.
Baylor Beach Park/Facebook
This 2-acre water park lake in Navarre features tons of family fun. Make a mini summer vacation out of it and camp here as well. Address: 8777 Manchester Avenue Southwest, Navarre, OH 44662
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Swimming Holes in Ohio June 11, 2019 April Dray What is the cleanest lake in Ohio? It is difficult to determine what the cleanest lake in Ohio is. Many lakes in Ohio and beaches in Ohio are clean and safe to swim in. To stay up to date on the current conditions and water data, click here. There are several quarries that could arguably have the clearest water in the state of Ohio. White Star Quarry in Gibsonburg features a scuba diving resort and designated swimming area. The visibility rarely gets lower than 20 ft. and it averages in the 30 ft. – 40 ft. range, according to the quarry’s website. Does Ohio have any natural inland lakes? According to the ODNR Division of Water Resources, there are 110 natural lakes in Ohio that are larger than 5 acres. A total of 21 counties in Ohio feature these natural lakes. What is the only state with no natural lakes? Maryland is the only state that does not have any natural lakes. There are lakes within the state, but the lakes are manmade via river embankments and dams. What state has the least amount of lakes? Since the state of Maryland has no natural lakes, it is likely the state that has the fewest lakes total. Additional fun fact: The state of Minnesota might be the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” but the state of Alaska is actually home to more than 3 million natural lakes.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Swimming Holes in Ohio
June 11, 2019
April Dray
What is the cleanest lake in Ohio? It is difficult to determine what the cleanest lake in Ohio is. Many lakes in Ohio and beaches in Ohio are clean and safe to swim in. To stay up to date on the current conditions and water data, click here. There are several quarries that could arguably have the clearest water in the state of Ohio. White Star Quarry in Gibsonburg features a scuba diving resort and designated swimming area. The visibility rarely gets lower than 20 ft. and it averages in the 30 ft. – 40 ft. range, according to the quarry’s website. Does Ohio have any natural inland lakes? According to the ODNR Division of Water Resources, there are 110 natural lakes in Ohio that are larger than 5 acres. A total of 21 counties in Ohio feature these natural lakes. What is the only state with no natural lakes? Maryland is the only state that does not have any natural lakes. There are lakes within the state, but the lakes are manmade via river embankments and dams. What state has the least amount of lakes? Since the state of Maryland has no natural lakes, it is likely the state that has the fewest lakes total. Additional fun fact: The state of Minnesota might be the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” but the state of Alaska is actually home to more than 3 million natural lakes.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
It is difficult to determine what the cleanest lake in Ohio is. Many lakes in Ohio and beaches in Ohio are clean and safe to swim in. To stay up to date on the current conditions and water data, click here. There are several quarries that could arguably have the clearest water in the state of Ohio. White Star Quarry in Gibsonburg features a scuba diving resort and designated swimming area. The visibility rarely gets lower than 20 ft. and it averages in the 30 ft. – 40 ft. range, according to the quarry’s website.
Does Ohio have any natural inland lakes?
According to the ODNR Division of Water Resources, there are 110 natural lakes in Ohio that are larger than 5 acres. A total of 21 counties in Ohio feature these natural lakes.
What is the only state with no natural lakes?
Maryland is the only state that does not have any natural lakes. There are lakes within the state, but the lakes are manmade via river embankments and dams.
What state has the least amount of lakes?
Since the state of Maryland has no natural lakes, it is likely the state that has the fewest lakes total. Additional fun fact: The state of Minnesota might be the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” but the state of Alaska is actually home to more than 3 million natural lakes.
