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8 Dog-Friendly Beaches in Ohio 2024: Off-Leash & On-Leash Places to Go

Written by: Ashley Bates

Last Updated on March 22, 2024 by Ashley Bates

8 Dog-Friendly Beaches in Ohio 2024: Off-Leash & On-Leash Places to Go

Ohio has plenty of fun summer activities for the whole family. If you and your crew love to frequent the beaches in the warm months, you probably want a place Fido can tag along. Luckily, several beaches in Ohio are dog friendly.

Some locations will require direct contact to answer the question. So, don’t get discouraged if you don’t see your beach of interest on our list. Contact the location directly or ask a knowledgeable person about the rules. Let’s get started!

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Top 8 Dog-Friendly Beaches in Ohio:

1. Kelleys Island State Park

️ Address: 920 Division St. Marblehead, Ohio
Open Times: Dawn to dusk, year-round
Cost: Free
Off-leash: No
  • The park has free admission
  • Your dog can accompany you on trails, but not at the beach
  • Leash and clean up after your dog as needed
  • 677 acres for recreation
  • Boating, fishing, trails, and overnight accommodations available

2. Edgewater Park

️ Address: Cleveland, Ohio
Open Times: Dawn to dusk, year-round
Cost: Free admission, paid activities available
Off-leash: Yes, depending on area
  • Edgewater Beach House open seasonally only
  • Pet-friendly campgrounds
  • 147 acres for recreation
  • 9,000 feet of shoreline to enjoy and explore
  • Gift shops, boating, fishing, hiking trails, and more!

3. Columbia Beach

️ Address: 35436 Lake Road, Bay Village, Ohio
Open Times: Dawn to dusk—April to November
Cost: Free
Off-leash: Yes, in certain areas
  • Lots of trails and places to explore
  • Must leash your dog at all times
  • Must clean up any waste as needed
  • No human bathrooms
  • Waterfalls, stone stairways, and other cool sites to explore

4. Salt Fork State Park

️ Address: Cambridge, Ohio 
Open Times: Dawn to dusk, overnight stays available
Cost: Free admission, costs to camp
Off-leash: Yes, from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM
  • Pet-friendly park
  • Historical Kennedy house for public viewing
  • Thousands of acres to camp on and explore
  • Offers a full-service resort
  • Top-rated 18-hole golf course

5. Harrison Lake State Park

️ Address: 26146 Harrison Lake Rd, Fayette, Ohio
Open Times: Dawn to dusk, year round
Cost: Free
Off-leash: Yes, beach area only
  • Dogs allowed on the beach off-leash
  • Must be on lead for other areas of park
  • Designated swimming area just for dogs
  • 142 acres of land to explore
  • Disc golf, swimming, hiking, and reservable shelter houses

6. Delaware State Park

️ Address: Delaware, Ohio
Open Times: Dawn to dusk, seasonal beach
Cost: Free
Off-leash: Yes, on dog-specific beach
  • Offers fenced-in dog park
  • Designated doggy beach
  • Lots of fun outdoor activities for the whole family
  • Campgrounds for weekend or vacation fun

7. Pebble Beach

https://www.instagram.com/p/CSR9fFFnBGK/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

️ Address: 515 E. Lakeshore Dr., Kelley’s Island, Ohio 
Open Times: Dawn to dusk
Cost: Free
Off-leash: Yes
  • Beautiful direct views of Lake Erie
  • Dog-friendly beach, no leash needed!
  • Swimming space for the whole family
  • Part of a bigger tourist area
  • Somewhat more private than other beaches at Kelley’s Island

8. Nickel Plate Beach

️ Address: 1 Nickel Plate Dr., Huron, Ohio 
Open Times: 8:00 am to 8:00 pm everyday year round
Cost: $6 parking
Off-leash: Yes, from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM
  • Scenic water views
  • Lots of additional activities like kayaking, paddle boarding, and ping pong
  • Beautiful lighthouses to check out
  • Beach activities including volleyball, ping pong, and cornhole
  • No lifeguard—swim-at-your-own-risk

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Conclusion

So, what do you think about your options? Sure, Ohio doesn’t have oceanfront views or major beaches. But what it lacks in beach availability, it makes up for with gorgeous lakeside beauty. There are several options for dog-friendly parks so you and your whole furry family can enjoy the warm weather.

When you visit one of these lovely locations, we hope your vacation is full of splashes, adventures, and cheerful barks!


Featured Image Credit: sharkolot, Pixabay

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