Summer on Lake Erie

There is still plenty of time to enjoy summer fun at Lorain County’s crowning jewel, Lake Erie!  Thanks to Lorain County’s prime location along the coast, its easy access to the lake provides many family fun activities to area visitors. Multiple fishing charters, marinas, and public boat launches are hoppin' and so are events like: kayaking, water skiing, river and lighthouse tours, Jet Express cruises, and much more. 

Limiting out with Reel Thrill Charters

Fishing: Feeling the desire to open your tackle box? Lake Erie is known strongly for its walleye, perch, steelhead and bass catches. To ensure your big catch, check out the following great charter services. Docked in the small nautical town of Vermilion are two of our popular fishing charters: Bad Boy and Lucky Duck Sport Fishing.  The “Bad Boy” is a 30-foot Sports craft with the finest equipment to help you bring in the big ones. Or take a chance with Lucky Duck’s customized trips and friendly service.  Other Charters in the area include Fishin’ Boat Charters at Beaver Park North in Lorain and Reel Thrill Sport Fishing Charters at Spitzer Lakeside Marina.  Grab your fishing pole, hang up the ‘Gone Fishin’ sign, come on out and discover beautiful Lake Erie. 

Paddle Power:  Lake Erie is the pride and joy of North Central Ohio; it is the 12^th largest freshwater lake with plenty of multi sport activity opportunities.  It’s the shallowest and warmest of all the Great Lakes which has increased its popularity and made its recreation limitless. Its large variety of water trails allows for kayaking, canoeing, and boating.  Take advantage of the well known Vermilion-Lorain Water Trail by choosing from one of nine popular access points including Mill Hollow, Lakeview Park and Beach, or French Creek. Need to rent a kayak? West River Kayak and Canoe is a great place to start, with hourly and day rates for kayaks, canoes, and bikes. Or paddle the Black River into Lake Erie with assistance from Great Lakes Kayaking.   

Tours: Lake Erie is full of recreation, energy and nature.  The Lorain Port Authority offers a detailed tour of the Lorain Lighthouse along with Black River Nature Tours. Tours are offered weekly at a variety of times to squeeze into you busy summer schedule. Explore Lake Erie by boat and experience a guided tour of its unique treasures. The Jet Express features weekly shuttles to the Lake Erie Islands as well as downtown Cleveland. The Jet Express still has sunset wine tasting cruises and more along with shuttles to upcoming Cleveland Browns games on their calendar. Ease on down the Vermilion River on the Mystic Belle, a tour designed for the whole family! This 55 minute river tour gives you a glimpse of Vermilion's history as well as a taste of the local wildlife.

Don't let summer slip by without taking in the great Lake Erie breeze! Check out great lodging options as well and spend a few days with us.  

Lorain County - Home to some of the best North Central Ohio Lake Erie beaches!

There is still plenty of time for summer swimming fun, and with the warmest water of any Great Lake, Lake Erie is an ideal beach location. Nestled in the north central shoreline of Ohio, Lorain County is home to some of the best beaches on Lake Erie. Whether you are interested in swimming, a family picnic, or simply sightseeing, Lorain County’s shoreline has it all. From Vermilion’s Main Street Beach in the The Harbour Town 1837 Historic District, to Veterans Memorial Park in Avon Lake, there is something for everyone. With so much to do, what are you waiting for?

Photo by Mark Teleha

Main Street Beach, located in the quaint historic downtown of Vermilion allows visitors to take advantage of the fantastic sunsets and lake views with their large observation deck located on the beach. The Vermilion Lighthouse and Inland Seas Maritime Museum provide an entire fun-filled day.

Lakeview Park stands as one of Lorain County’s most dynamic parks. With a beautiful stretch of sandy beach to go along with many amenities such as gazebos, picnic shelters, a playground, and a Bathhouse home to the popular Rose Café, this park is ideal for everyone. These 20 acres of lakeside land are also home to exciting recreation such as sand volleyball and lawn bowling. Stop by for spectacular sunsets and views of the Lorain Lighthouse or a look at the Historical Rose Garden, a landmark in Lorain County. Spend the night in Lorain and experience even more excitement. Grab dinner after a day at the beach at Jackalope Lakeside Bar and Rotisserie and depart from there on a Sunset Cruise. The opportunities are endless!

Century Park, located in Lorain is another great beach destination. Equipped with a snack bar, restrooms, showers, picnic shelters, grills, a playground as well as fishing access, you can’t go wrong!

Miller Road Park is yet another great location on Lake Erie’s Shore. This park’s 14 acres of land include a boat launch, fishing pier, gazebo, picnic pavilion, playground, restrooms, beachfront access to the lake including a handicap accessible ramp, and a ¼ mile walking path. During the summer it is also home to a summer concert series that is great for all ages. Spend the entire day and tour the historic Peter Miller House Museum located on the park premises.

Photo left: Courtesy of Holly Miller

 The Sheffield Lake Community Park and Boat Launch is one of Lorain County’s most exciting new additions. Thanks to recent renovations, a new handicap accessible fishing pier and a free two lane boat launch are available for everyone to enjoy. Complete with ample parking, a beautiful sandy beach, and tables and chairs close by; this is a park you can’t miss!

Photo courtesy of Sheffield Lake

Veterans Memorial Park is not only a beautiful beach, but it is also full of entertainment and history. With its lifeguard-staffed beach, this is an ideal swimming location. Also notable are its Veterans memorial, Lake House, historic Folger Home, and the Avon Lake Boat Club.

For those water enthusiasts who would prefer an indoor location, Splash Zone is perfect for you. This water park is complete with an indoor 8 lane pool, a tot lagoon, a 6,000 square foot outdoor pool with daring waterslides, outdoor concession stand, playground, fitness center, aerobic center, party room, and a field house with a three lane rubberized walking track and four volleyball/basketball courts. No matter the weather or time of year, Splash Zone is one of Lorain County’s most exciting and fun-filled adventure locations.

For more information on Lorain County, visit our website, email us at visitors@visitloraincounty.com, call us at (440) 984-5282, or find us on Facebook and Twitter. For more information on outdoor adventure in Lorain County, visit http://www.backroadsandbeaches.com/