CLEVELAND — Here in the Buckeye State, we're known for so many things: The Rock and Hall of Fame, Cedar Point, the Pro Football Hall of Fame, endless corn fields and stunning landscapes.
Did you also know that Ohio is home to some of the most beautiful swimming holes in the country? We're not talking about pools -- we're talking about hidden gems from quarries to lakes to waterfalls.
This summer, instead of heading to your local pool, consider this list of some of the coolest swimming spots across the state:
The Peninsula Quarry
Nestled in the Cuyahoga Valley, the Peninsula Quarry is a spring-fed pool in an old abandoned quarry, entertaining the locals for 67 years! It is free of chlorine and pollutants and purified by an underground spring. Visitors must sign an electronic waiver to enter the grounds.
Address:
1980 Ohio 303
Peninsula, OH 44264
Hours of Operation:
- Thursday-Sunday
- 12pm to 7pm
Price of Admission:
- Day Pass: $10.00
- Seniors (65+): $5.00
- After 5pm: $5.00
- Individual Season Pass: $100.00
- Family Season Pass: $300.00
More information, HERE.
White Star Quarry
Located within the boundaries of White Star Park in Sandusky County, White Star Quarry is an 800-acre park with scuba diving considered to be the best inland diving that Northern Ohio has to offer, according to its website. The park is patrolled by rangers who enforce the strict diving rules. If you're not into diving, bring the family to the swim beach, to grill out, play volleyball or take a nature walk!
Address:
901 South Main Street
Gibonsburg, OH 43431
Hours of Operation:
- Beach open daily
- Noon-8pm
Price of Admission:
- $5 for adults
- 3-12 is $3
- 2 and under is free
More information, click HERE.
Centennial Quarry
Centennial Quarry is a deep-water, spring-fed swimming spot in Sylvania with an average depth of about 22 feet. Guests can enjoy diving platforms, water toys, a water teeter-totter, a log roller, several swim rafts, a beautiful sandy beach, sand volleyball courts and a basketball court.
Address:
5773 Centennial Road
Sylvania, OH 43560
Hours of Operation:
- Wednesday-Sunday
- 12pm-7pm
Price of Admission:
- $ per person
More information, HERE.
Baylor Beach Park
Baylor Beach has been family owned and operated since 1954. This park in Navarre has a two-acre, chemically treated, spring-fed swimming lake, water park and a gem mine on property. You can also camp, do paddle-boat or play mini golf.
Address:
8777 Manchester Ave SW
Navarre, OH 44662
Hours of Operation:
- Open daily
- 11am-7pm
Price of Admission:
Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Holidays
- Regular Admission (3 Yrs. & Up) $17.00
- Senior Citizen (60 Yrs. & Up) $10.00
- 2 Yrs. & Under Free
Monday - Thursday
- Regular Admission (3 Yrs. & Up) $15.00
- Senior Citizen (60 Yrs. & Up) $8.00
- 2 Yrs. & Under Free
More information, HERE.
Nelson Ledge's Quarry Park
Nelson Ledges Quarry Park is the "only spot in Ohio for hiking, biking, camping, swimming, cliff diving, snorkeling, scuba diving, sunbathing, fishing, food vending, full-court basketball, sand volleyball, music festivals, arts and crafts and more," according to its site. The quarry is spring-fed and rarely treated, the website says. No swimming when lifeguards aren't on-duty.
Address:
12001 Nelson Ledge Road
Garrettsville, OH 44231
Hours of Operation:
- Open daily
- 10am-7pm
Price of Admission:
- Ages 0-3 FREE
- Ages 4-14 $6
- Ages 15+ $15
More information, HERE.
Editor's note: Video in the player above was originally published in a previous story on July 16, 2021.