When you think of Cincinnati and then think of a beach, your next thought is likely a long car ride or an expensive plane ticket. Cincinnati is a beautiful city, but unfortunately, we are not known as a beach town. That doesn’t mean you can’t experience the sand between your toes and water breezes close by. You may know about the small town of Brookville, Indiana, that’s just a 50-minute drive from downtown, and you may even know that it’s home to a rather large lake and charming downtown, but it’s also a tiny beach town near Cincinnati that has so much to offer in the warmer months. You definitely need to plan a visit!

Brookville, Indiana can be found just a short drive northwest of Cincinnati.
Brian Corbin/Flickr
This historic town is known for its charming downtown and also for its large lake and outdoor activities.
Even if you've heard of Brookville, you may not realize all that you can experience in this little town.
Brookville Lake-Whitewater Memorial State Park Complex/Facebook
On the banks of the more than 5,000-acre lake are two beaches that provide a sandy spot to relax on a warm day.
Kirsten673/TripAdvisor
The beach is a great place to gather as a family and enjoy beach life, without having to suffer through a long car ride or expensive plane ticket.
The views of the lake and surrounding hills are beautiful and the beach itself offers plenty of activities.
El Ra/GoogleMaps
There's a modern bathhouse with restrooms, a snack bar, a volleyball court, a playground, and plenty of grassy areas that are perfect for energetic kiddos to run around.

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While you're enjoying the beach life, be sure to take advantage of everything else that is offered around Brookville Lake.
Kent's Harbor Marina/Facebook
There are a few marinas (Kent's Harbor Marina is pictured above) if you need to rent a boat for the day.
Kent's Harbor Marina/Facebook
They also offer overnight accommodations that are right on the shore and the area around the lake is also home to several campgrounds that allow you to enjoy the features of the lake and beach.
Brookville is a natural oasis near Cincinnati that offers more than you probably realized.
Brian Corbin/Flickr
If you need to recharge this spring or summer, but don't want to travel through several states, just make the short drive to Brookville.
Outdoor Brookville, Indiana/Facebook
Lily318 /TripAdvisor
This little beach town offers an assortment of outdoor and waterfront fun that make it a must-see destination.

Take a look at the beautiful Brookville Lake is this fly-over video of one of its harbors:

Brookville is the perfect waterfront spot for a day trip from Cincinnati, and one where you can experience sand, water, views, and everything else you’d expect in a little beach town near Cincinnati. Have you enjoyed all Brookville has to offer? Are there any other small towns near Cincinnati with beaches nearby you love to visit? Let us know in the comments!

For more information on Brookville, the lake, and the beach, including water conditions and seasonal hours, visit the Brookville DNR website.

For another lake with a beach near Cincinnati, check out Serene Lake in one of Ohio’s biggest state parks.

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Chris Muras | February 11, 2023

Are there any beach towns near Cincinnati?

With so many beautiful towns in Ohio, there are sure to be some wonderful beaches. Unfortunately, Cincinnati itself isn't known for its beaches. There are a number of small towns within driving distance of Cincinnati with nice beaches, however. Here are a few beach towns near Cincinnati to enjoy:

  • Waynesville, Ohio: About 45 minutes from Cincinnati you'll find Waynesville and the Caesar Creek State Park. The 1,300-foot stretch of public beach is a great place to cool off in the summer. There is also a marina for all your favorite boating activities.
  • St. Marys, Ohio: It's a bit of a drive from Cincinnati at about two hours away, but St. Marys has four public swimming beaches and five public boat ramps at Grand Lake St. Marys State Park. In 1845 when the lake project was completed, Grand Lake was the largest man-made lake in the world at 13,500 acres.
  • Bethel, OH: At East Fork State Park in Bethel, Ohio is a sandy 1,200-acre beach with a nice swimming area. It is probably the closest beach to Cincinnati about 35 minutes away.

 

What are the best lakes near Cincinnati?

There are a lot of charming small towns near Cincinnati, and some of those towns are nestled around some of the finest lakes in Ohio. Here is a list of a few of the best lakes near Cincinnati:

  • Twin Lakes, Eden Park, OH
  • Brookville Lake, Brookville, IN
  • Lake Cumberland, Russell Springs, KY
  • Lake Isabella, Loveland, OH
  • Acton Lake, College Corner, OH
  • Falling Rock Park, La Grange, KY

 

Read more about these wonderful lakes near Cincinnati, and discover a few more, in this article.

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