We're collecting the best swimming lakes and beaches near Columbus on one handy map! Pack the beach gear and try out one of these parent-approved places to swim (or boat or fish) with kids.
Help other parents out by adding your tips & reviews, and let us know if we're missing any other top spots for beach chilling or lake swimming around Columbus.
For more swimming spots near you, check out - and chime in on - our list of the best Columbus pools, too.
Alum Creek Lake
The rocky swimming beach at Alum Creek State Park is the largest inland beach in Ohio's state park system, with amenities including restrooms, vendors, outdoor showers and changing rooms. The park also offers thousands of acres of woodland, providing plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for Columbus families. You can rent boats at the marina, enjoy the playground, take a family bike ride or hike on trails of varying difficulty levels, go camping, horse back riding and more! There's plenty of parking available.
Madison Lake
One of the smaller state parks in central Ohio, Madison Lake State Park has a 106-acre lake perfect for smaller sailboats, row boats and canoes. Swimmers can enjoy the 300-foot public beach. There are picnic tables, grills, bathrooms, changing rooms and a playground nearby.
Deer Creek Lake
Deer Creek State Park surrounds a beautiful lake near Columbus, Deer Creek Lake, located only about 30 minutes southwest of the city. The Deer Creek reservoir has a 1,700 foot public swimming beach equipped with picnic tables and grills, with an adjacent boat-swim area and other areas designated for boating in the reservoir. If you and the family are looking for a great weekend getaway, there's a lodge with swimming pool, cottages and a campground at the park along with fishing, boat rentals, golf course and hiking trails.
Delaware Lake
Delaware State Park surrounds Delaware Lake, which has a popular public beach for swimming, including modern restrooms, a picnic pavilion and playground. Boat rentals and fishing are also available at the park, as well as five easy hiking trails for Columbus families who love walking in nature!
Buckeye Lake
The big draw at Buckeye Lake State Park is the 3,100 acre lake, where families can swim, boat, fish and wander the 4-mile paved shoreline path. There are public swimming areas at Fairfield Beach on the south side and Crystal Beach on the north side.
Lake Hudson
This privately-owned lake near Columbus offers swimming, fishing and picnicking. Make sure to double check their policies before visiting, as admission has been limited to residents of Licking, Fairfield, Perry, Muskingum or Knox County and their guests in recent years. The spring-fed water has a beach and swimming area that includes a wading area (0-3 feet deep), intermediate area (0-5 feet deep) and advanced area (0-17 feet deep). There are diving boards, a barrel float, water slide and volleyball and basketball courts.
Clarence J Brown Reservoir at Buck Creek State Park
A wonderful place for family camping, Buck Creek State Park surrounds Clarence J Brown Reservoir, a large lake near Columbus that offers plenty of water activities including boating, fishing, and swimming by a sandy beach. There are also miles of multi-use trails along meadows and wetlands, perfect for families looking for places to go horseback riding or enjoy moderately difficult hiking.
Indian Lake
One of the bigger lakes near Columbus, Indian Lake has two public beaches for swimming at Indian Lake State Park, along with other water activities such as boating, jet skiing and fishing (including ice fishing in the winter). Old Field Beach has 1,200 feet of sand, shelter houses with water fountains and bathrooms, picnic shelters and fishing areas. Fox Island Beach is a smaller beach with shady trees, picnic areas and restrooms. There's even an archery range, as well as trails for hiking and biking.
Primary photo: Upparent
Upparent collects community-submitted recommendations and reviews, and any ideas that are shared reflect the opinions of individual contributors.
