The One Pristine Inland Beach In Ohio That Will Make You Swear You're On The Coast
By Sarah McCosham|Published June 27, 2023
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
There’s no shortage of great beaches in Ohio, with the “Third Coast” offering visitors and vacationers a sublime slice of island paradise. But Buckeye State beach bums need not venture all the way to Lake Erie to enjoy a great waterside experience; there are lots of lovely *landlocked* beaches here, too. Burr Oak Lake is one such place; the stretch of shore and water at this inland beach in Ohio might not be the Pacific or Atlantic Coast, but I think it’s equally resplendent.
Ohio has a robust state parks system that includes some of the best recreation opportunities in the region. Many of these parks are well known to outdoor enthusiasts from all across the country; others, however, remain hidden gems known and beloved to outdoorsy Ohioans.
Burr Oak State Park is one such place. Spanning over 2,500 acres in southeast Ohio (an area best-known as Hocking Hills country), Burr Oak State Park is a Buckeye State beauty that proves you don't need to choose between the mountains and the water here in Ohio... you can have both!
Gorgeous, hilly forests comprise many of the park's acreage; miles of forested ridges and hollows can be found here in trails that range from 0.4 miles all the way up to the 22-mile Lakeview Trail.
Within this wooded wonderland, you'll also find a diverse array of native wildlife, a place where white-tailed deer, ruffed grouse, box turtles, wild turkey, bald eagles, and great blue herons thrive.
Boating and fishing are naturally very popular in this pristine lake, as is swimming. A 500-foot public swimming beach on the north side of the lake offers enjoyment for swimmers and sunbathers, and it's an irresistible feature for Buckeye State families looking for an accessible and low-key beach day.
Can't tear yourself away from this incredible inland beach in Ohio? You don't have to! Burr Oak State Park is one of our state's premier resort parks, boasting both a rustic full-service lodge with family suites and a cozy campground with easy access to the lake.
There's even an amazing resort pool guests can use if Ohio weather doesn't cooperate for your beach day! Not that Ohio weather can be fickle, or anything...
The Buckeye State is home to some amazing beaches and beloved state parks -- this is something we all know. But if you stick only to those tried-and-true favorites, you'd be missing out on some of Ohio's finest offerings. Like Burr Oak State Park, a gem of a place with an extraordinary inland beach.
