There’s nothing like a waterfront resort in the heart of summer for a memorable getaway. Few people realize just how many beach resorts are hiding in the Buckeye Sate. From inland lakes and campgrounds to Lake Erie hotels and sandy beaches, the following are nine of our favorite beach resorts—and they all belong on your summer bucket list.

  1. South Beach Resort (Marblehead)

South Beach Resort Hotel Cottages & Marina/Facebook South Beach Resort is a little slice of paradise hiding in Ohio along the shores of the beautiful Lake Erie, overlooking Sandusky Bay. With a 4-story hotel and several cottages, there are plenty of overnight options to choose from. The entire resort covers 8.5 acres and features several outdoor activities, including a private sandy beach and three pools. Address: 8620 East Bayshore Road, Marblehead, OH, 43440

  1. Long’s Retreat Family Resort (Latham)

llongsretreat.com 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. The Beach at Long’s Retreat features swimming, three waterslides and a pretty epic splash pad. You can hook up your RV, pitch a tent or rent a cabin. Address: 50 Bell Hollow Road, Latham, OH, 45646

  1. Kelleys Island Venture Resort (Kelleys Island)

emasonry1/TripAdvisor This lakefront luxury hotel offers some of the most spectacular lodging on Kelleys Island. Outside, the surrounding landscape is gorgeous and bursting with seasonal blooms. You’ll definitely want to check out the pool and outdoor hot tub during your stay. Address: 441 West Lakeshore Drive, Kelleys Island, OH, 43438

  1. Clay’s Park Resort (North Lawrence)

Clay’s Park Resort/Facebook With an adventure water park, RV resort and campground, Clay’s Park Resort is the perfect place to spend a summer weekend. The 10-acre swimming lake features a sandy kid’s beach, dual 150-ft. long water slides, inflatables, dual zip lines, a challenge course, barrel roll and more. Address: 13190 Patterson Street Northwest, North Lawrence, OH, 44666

  1. The Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake (Geneva-on-the-Lake)

management/TripAdvisor The sweeping views here will make you fall in love with Lake Erie. With both indoor and outdoor pools, the whole family can enjoy a favorite pastime. The splash pad by the outdoor pool is especially fun. There’s also a private beach, 24-hour fitness center and a zip line and ropes course. Address: 4888 North Broadway, Geneva-on-the-Lake, OH, 44041

  1. Wood’s Tall Timber Resort (New Philadelphia)

Wood’s Tall Timber Lake Resort/Facebook Hiding in New Philadelphia, Ohio you’ll find an underrated camping and adventure resort with a little something for everyone. From zip lining to paddle boats, there’s never a dull moment at Wood’s Tall Timber Resort. Camping, cabins, cottages and houses are available for overnight stays. Address: 1921 Tall Timber Road Northeast, New Philadelphia, OH, 44663

  1. The Lake Campground (Norton)

management/Trip Advisor The Lake Campground in Norton is a best kept secret for locals and a hidden gem for those that aren’t familiar with the area. The 6-acre swimming lake is tons of fun. It features a sandy beach, water slides, inflatable obstacles, basketball hoops, diving boards and more. Here, you can reserve overnight, monthly and seasonal camping. Address: 2678 South Hametown Road, Norton, OH, 44203

  1. Firefly Beach Resort (Huron)

Firefly Beach Resort/Facebook Plenty of color, Lake Erie waves and the feeling that you’re a million miles away from it all make this a truly unforgettable summer getaway. Firefly Beach Resort features 5 acres of private grounds, a sandy beach, a tavern, primitive campsites, RV campsites and even cottages you can rent. Address: 4903 Cleveland Road East, Huron, OH, 44839

  1. Baylor Beach Park (Navarre)

baylorbeachpark.com Unless you’re a local, you’ve likely never heard of Baylor Beach Park in Ohio, which features a 2-acre manmade swimming lake with sandy beaches. There’s also a designated boating area, where you can rent paddle-boats, “funyaks” and aqua bikes. Both RV and primitive camping are available. Be sure to make your reservation ahead of time. Address: 8777 Manchester Avenue Southwest, Navarre, OH, 44662

Have you been to any of these beach resorts before? If so, we want to know what your experience was like!

South Beach Resort Hotel Cottages & Marina/Facebook

South Beach Resort is a little slice of paradise hiding in Ohio along the shores of the beautiful Lake Erie, overlooking Sandusky Bay. With a 4-story hotel and several cottages, there are plenty of overnight options to choose from. The entire resort covers 8.5 acres and features several outdoor activities, including a private sandy beach and three pools. Address: 8620 East Bayshore Road, Marblehead, OH, 43440

llongsretreat.com

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. The Beach at Long’s Retreat features swimming, three waterslides and a pretty epic splash pad. You can hook up your RV, pitch a tent or rent a cabin. Address: 50 Bell Hollow Road, Latham, OH, 45646

emasonry1/TripAdvisor

This lakefront luxury hotel offers some of the most spectacular lodging on Kelleys Island. Outside, the surrounding landscape is gorgeous and bursting with seasonal blooms. You’ll definitely want to check out the pool and outdoor hot tub during your stay. Address: 441 West Lakeshore Drive, Kelleys Island, OH, 43438

Clay’s Park Resort/Facebook

With an adventure water park, RV resort and campground, Clay’s Park Resort is the perfect place to spend a summer weekend. The 10-acre swimming lake features a sandy kid’s beach, dual 150-ft. long water slides, inflatables, dual zip lines, a challenge course, barrel roll and more. Address: 13190 Patterson Street Northwest, North Lawrence, OH, 44666

management/TripAdvisor

The sweeping views here will make you fall in love with Lake Erie. With both indoor and outdoor pools, the whole family can enjoy a favorite pastime. The splash pad by the outdoor pool is especially fun. There’s also a private beach, 24-hour fitness center and a zip line and ropes course. Address: 4888 North Broadway, Geneva-on-the-Lake, OH, 44041

Wood’s Tall Timber Lake Resort/Facebook

Hiding in New Philadelphia, Ohio you’ll find an underrated camping and adventure resort with a little something for everyone. From zip lining to paddle boats, there’s never a dull moment at Wood’s Tall Timber Resort. Camping, cabins, cottages and houses are available for overnight stays. Address: 1921 Tall Timber Road Northeast, New Philadelphia, OH, 44663

management/Trip Advisor

The Lake Campground in Norton is a best kept secret for locals and a hidden gem for those that aren’t familiar with the area. The 6-acre swimming lake is tons of fun. It features a sandy beach, water slides, inflatable obstacles, basketball hoops, diving boards and more. Here, you can reserve overnight, monthly and seasonal camping. Address: 2678 South Hametown Road, Norton, OH, 44203

Firefly Beach Resort/Facebook

Plenty of color, Lake Erie waves and the feeling that you’re a million miles away from it all make this a truly unforgettable summer getaway. Firefly Beach Resort features 5 acres of private grounds, a sandy beach, a tavern, primitive campsites, RV campsites and even cottages you can rent. Address: 4903 Cleveland Road East, Huron, OH, 44839

baylorbeachpark.com

Unless you’re a local, you’ve likely never heard of Baylor Beach Park in Ohio, which features a 2-acre manmade swimming lake with sandy beaches. There’s also a designated boating area, where you can rent paddle-boats, “funyaks” and aqua bikes. Both RV and primitive camping are available. Be sure to make your reservation ahead of time. Address: 8777 Manchester Avenue Southwest, Navarre, OH, 44662

For more summer getaways in Oho, check out our previous article: The Tropical Themed Resort In Ohio That’s A Summer Dream Come True.

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