Life is always fun at the beach, so take a little time to stretch and mellow out in the summertime sand.
Lake Erie Beach: Established in the 1930s to honor a local conservationist, the now-reconstructed and expanded 1,300-acre William C Sterling State Park hosts a show-stopping, mile-long beach that stretches along the shore of Lake Erie, providing a panoramic lose-yourself-in–the-view experience. A grassy picnic area touches the sand while large mature trees provide shady respite, their exquisite exposed root systems offering places to sit or recline. Because the beach has an east-to-west orientation, the best lake views and photo opportunities are in the evening when the sun’s at your back, not in your face. Other park activities include swimming, lagoon and lake fishing, hiking and biking trails along wetland areas, boating, paddle sports and lakefront camping.
25-minute drive from downtown Toledo on I-75 North at Exit 15.
The entrance is one mile from I-75.
Sterling State Park | 2800 State Park Rd. | Monroe
michigandnr.com/parksandtrails
Water Fun: Spring-water-fed Centennial Quarry is a 22-foot-deep sparkling blue swimming area. The beach is comprised of several terraced platforms that offer a choice for the best vantage points overlooking the quarry; you decide if you want to quietly soak up the sun higher up or be down closer to the water action. The well-appointed facility is set up like an outdoor fun house with swim rafts, a water teeter-totter, diving platforms, a huge twisting water slide as well as a basketball court and sand volleyball courts. Lifeguards are on duty.
Noon-7pm | daily through Labor Day | $6
Centennial Quarry | 5773 Centennial Rd. | Sylvania
centennialterrace.org
Jewel Box Beaches: Cullen Park’s lush Squadron Island Nature Trail is surrounded on both sides by Lake Erie while trees and plants screen wonderfully secluded mini beaches along its one-mile path. The trail opens onto the beautiful Squadron Island where more beachfront provides incredible water views, with shady and sunny spots to sit and let the world melt away. Don’t miss strolling out to the tip of the island where it seems like you are walking on water as small waves cascade over your feet and the cooling breeze crosses your skin. Stand still for a few moments and butterflies and dragonflies will dance around you. The park includes a free boat launch and a specialized kayak and canoe launch with direct access to the Maumee Bay into western Lake Erie.
The trail begins at the southeast side of parking lot
and is marked with concrete slabs.
Follow the trail to the right.
Cullen Park | 4526 N. Summit St.
cullenpark.org
