This Man-Made Swimming Hole Near Cleveland Will Make You Feel Like A Kid On Summer Vacation
By Nikki Rhoades|Published June 12, 2023
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Nikki Rhoades
Author
Nikki is a lifelong Ohioan with a love for literature. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Akron and has enjoyed publishing her written work since 2007. She has a love of travel and does so frequently, though she believes that home is where the heart is — she continues to work in and around Cleveland as a digital content specialist to this day, working on everything from commercial scripts and social media posts to grassroots marketing initiatives.
In Northeast Ohio, we’re a bit of a drive (or flight) away from the nearest ocean. Nonetheless, we find splash-worthy pools of water that are perfect for swimming. All around Cleveland and beyond, lakes, rivers, pools, and other swimming spots help locals cool off during the summer. However, there’s another type of swimming that Ohioans can’t resist: quarry swimming! These man-made swim spots are hidden throughout the state, as the area was once rich with quarrying to harvest local stones. As a result, many structures throughout the state are made with local stone… and many abandoned quarries have found a new life as a crystal-clear oasis. What may be the best swimming quarry near Cleveland, however, is actually about an hour away from home… but it’s so worth the trek! Check it out:
At just under an hour away from Cleveland, Nelson Ledges Quarry Park is a super fun day drip destination.
If you've never been to this unique park near Cleveland, it's well worth the drive! This Garrettsville park is pay-to-enter, but it's privately managed, delightfully clean, and family friendly. I recommend packing snacks for the ride, as you'll want to fuel up before you spend some time in the sun.
The biggest draw here (outside of summertime music festivals, which are wildly popular) is the massive crystal clear lake in the park.
According to legend, the quarrying workers accidentally hit a below-rock spring one day in the late 1950s. Within mere days, the spring's rich, clean waters filled the quarry with water, transforming it into the lake that exists today.
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While the spot has long been coveted as a getaway destination (including a hotel that existed here in the late 1800s), the newly created lake transformed this pretty spot.
Suddenly, the draw of swimming in rich, pure spring water was too much to resist. People began sneaking into the abandoned quarry to dive in, but authorities shut it down for the safety of the community. Of course, in 1972, someone purchased the land, opened a park, and made it into the paradise swimmers know and love today!
The crystal clear water, which is tested for quality and safety twice a season, is perfect for swimming. Swimming can be enjoyed every day (sunny and above 70 degrees in temperature, that is) between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., with Red-Cross-certified lifeguards monitoring the fun. However, the quarry is also perfect for snorkeling, scuba diving, and canoeing.
If you're interested in visiting the site, you can buy a day pass. They range from $5 to $15, depending on age (children get discounted admission) and if you're visiting on a weekday or weekend. Alternatively, you can camp at the site in a tent or RV to extend your family fun time.
Beyond the lake, the surrounding forest has some surprises awaiting visitors, too!
When the park was revamped in the 1990s, family-friendly attractions were thoughtfully curated to avoid impacting the park's natural beauty. All sorts of indigenous Ohio species call it home, so be sure to leave nothing behind but footprints after your visit.
If you have a kayak at home, you might as well bring it along for the adventure!
The water is so breathtakingly blue here! You can easily spend hours admiring the scenery. Park staff does recommend you bring life jackets, so make sure you come prepared with safety equipment and water to stay hydrated.
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Or, of course, you can plan to spend a day or an entire weekend splashing around in the swimming area.
The water is so wonderfully clean that it's almost unlike any other beach near Cleveland! You'll love the experience, and you'll want to brag about it for weeks to come. After all, this consistently ranks as some of the cleanest water in the state!
Look for it at 12001 Nelson Ledge Rd, Garrettsville, OH, 44231.
This incredible swimming quarry near Cleveland is perfect for a summer day getaway. With just about 50 minutes of drive time to get there, it’s just close enough to sneak away for a day… but it’s so cool that you might even consider pitching a tent and staying a bit longer.
Believe it or not, this isn’t the only swimming quarry near Cleveland! White Star Beach in Gibsonburg and The Quarry in Peninsula also welcome swimmers in the summer. If you visit one a month before autumn arrives, you can fill your entire summer with sun and fun!
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