Columbus, OH

With temperatures reaching record highs I want to encourage anyone with sick or elderly relatives or neighbors to please check on them frequently over the next few weeks. Thank you.

Today, lets discuss where you can get to a sandy beach and enjoy some time just relaxing. The summer is nearly over for the kids and the heat is pounding, so try to get out and enjoy a day at the beach while you still have time.

For a list of all Ohio state parks, click HERE.

REMEMBER YOUR SUNBLOCK AND DRINKING WATER

Alum Creek State Park
3615 S. Old State Road Delaware, OH 43015 (740) 548-4631
The closest to Columbus. Nice stretch of beach. Well patrolled. Very busy.

Madison Lake State Park
20635 Waterloo Road Mt. Sterling, Ohio 43143-9501 (740) 869-3124
This park has a small stretch of beach for swimmers and sunbathers. Not as busy.

Deer Creek State Park
20635 Waterloo Road Mt. Sterling, OH 43143 (740) 869-3124
Nice large beach. Lots of amenities. Worth the drive. Busy–get there early.

Buckeye Lake State Park
2905 Liebs Island Road Millersport, OH 43046 (740) 467-2690
Another small beach. Great community. Fairly busy.
(Personal Note: In my book, this is the most improved beach/lake in the central Ohio area. As a child my parents would drive 40 minutes to another beach to avoid this one because the lake was so dirty you could literally smell it from the freeway. The major campaign to clean up Buckeye Lake has been very successful and it is now a great place to be with your friends and family.)

These beaches are all in state parks and along the edges of lakes or reservoirs. While a major campaign has cleaned the waters of Ohio up quite a bit since the late 1970s, you should still take a shower and drink plenty of fresh water after a day at the beach.