x
Breaking News
More () »

Beating the heat: Where to find free pools and beaches for swimming in Ohio

Looking for a place to cool off? We've got you covered with a list of some free places to go swimming throughout Northeast Ohio.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — If you’re looking for ways to beat the extreme heat as temperatures climb into the 90s and the feels-like conditions top 100 degrees throughout the state, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s office has released a list of options for families to stay cool.

“Indoor and outdoor pools at several Ohio state park lodges and campgrounds will waive daily pool fees,” Gov. DeWine’s office said in a press release Wednesday morning.

These fees will be waived both Wednesday and Thursday of this week. Locations include:

  • Outdoor Pool at Deer Creek Lodge and Conference Center
  • Outdoor Pool at Hueston Woods Lodge and Conference Center
  • Indoor and Outdoor Pools at Maumee Bay Lodge and Conference Center
  • Indoor and Outdoor Pools at Punderson Manor Lodge and Conference Center
  • Indoor and Outdoor Pools at Salt Fork Lodge and Conference Center
  • Campground Pool at Indian Lake State Park
  • Campground Pool at Grand Lake St. Marys State Park

RELATED: Heat stroke: These are the signs to watch for and the action you should take

For lodge locations, Ohioans are urged to call 1-800-AT-A-PARK before you go to ensure that the pools haven’t reached capacity.

State park beaches are also open to the public free of charge in the following locations:

  • Northeast Ohio: Swimmers can explore Findley, Geneva, Guilford Lake, Headlands Beach, Jefferson Lake, Lake Milton, Mosquito Lake, Portage Lakes, Punderson, Pymatuning or West Branch State Parks.
  • Northwest Ohio: Visit East Harbor, Harrison Lake, Indian Lake, Kelleys Island, Kiser Lake, Lake Loramie, Maumee Bay or South Bass Island State Parks.
  • Central Ohio: Swim beaches are available at Alum Creek, A.W. Marion, Deer Creek and Delaware State Parks.
  • Southwest Ohio: Caesar Creek, Cowan Lake, Hueston Woods, Paint Creek, Scioto Trail, Stonelick and Tar Hollow State Parks offer swim areas.
  • Southeast Ohio: Barkcamp, Burr Oak, Dillon, Forked Run, Jackson Lake, Lake Alma, Lake Hope, Lake Logan, Salt Fork, Strouds Run and Wolf Run State Parks all offer swim areas.

Cleveland Metroparks also lists six swimming options for those in Northeast Ohio at the following locations -- each of which feature lifeguards:

  • Edgewater Beach
  • Wallace Lake
  • Villa Angela in the Euclid Creek Reservation
  • Huntington Beach
  • Hinckley Lake Spillway
  • Ledge Pool

RELATED: How long this heat is expected to scorch Northeast Ohio

“Ohio state park nature centers are another cool place to spend a day,” Gov. DeWine’s office noted. “Nature centers are great places for people to learn about the natural world, see Ohio wildlife up close and connect with our park naturalists. There are more than 30 state park nature centers located throughout Ohio.”

You can find more details HERE.

"I encourage all Ohioans to take precautions throughout the week to stay safe," Gov. DeWine said. "As our Ohio Emergency Management Agency continues to work with its county partners to help community members stay cool and hydrated, ODNR’s offering of free admission to our state’s pools is another option that Ohio families can take advantage of to cool down.”

RELATED: The signs to look for when someone is drowning

Before You Leave, Check This Out