Here Are 12 Of The Most Beautiful Lakes In Ohio, According To Our Readers
By Sarah McCosham|Published October 20, 2022
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
Situated on the Third Coast, Ohio is a place where #lakelife is a celebrated part of state culture. Over half of the United States shore of Lake Erie lies in Ohio, which, counting islands and Sandusky Bay, amounts to 312 miles. In addition, the Buckeye State is home to over 110 natural lakes that cover a total surface area of 4,658 acres. Numbers aside, Ohio’s lakes are truly about quality more than quantity. And while we here at Only In Ohio don’t like to play favorites, we recently asked our readers to play favorites, polling our fans on both our Only In Ohio Facebook page and our Ohio Nature Lovers Facebook group about their picks for the most beautiful lakes in Ohio.
Atwood Lake is a reservoir located in Tuscarawas and Carroll counties in Northeast Ohio. It's the centerpiece of Atwood Lake Park and is regarded as one of Ohio's top sailing lakes. In addition, the park features over 500 camp lots, cabin and pavilion rentals, a swimming beach, boat launch, and hiking trails, making it an all-around all-star for Ohio recreation.
Berlin Lake lies in the northeastern part of Ohio at the junction of Stark, Portage, and Mahoning counties. Spanning 3,000 acres, it is one of the largest inland lakes in Ohio, and is 100% pup approved!
Hidden Lake might be more a pond than lake (semantics!), but that doesn't make it any less beguiling. Hidden Lake features nearly a mile loop trail, a nine-acre pond, and a pier extending into the pond for fishing and wildlife observation. It's a lovely place for birding, strolling, and quiet contemplation.
In Aurora, Ohio, Sunny Lake is a delightful little lake that's well-suited for fishing. Largemouth bass, Bluegill, and Channel catfish all call this lake home. All fishing is catch-and-release, and you will need a permit to fish on Sunny Lake.
Mosquito Lake
Mosquito Lake State Park Campground, Cortland, OH 44410, USA
The award for the best sunset in Ohio goes to... Mosquito Lake! With some 7,000 acres of surface area, it's one of the largest lakes in Ohio, and contrary to its name, this lake is not overrun with pesky bugs!
Nimisila Reservoir is one of the 13 bodies of water that make up the Portage Lakes. At 825 acres, it's the largest body of water in the park district, and is a kayaking favorite.
The Hocking Hills region might be best-known for hiking, but the kayaking at Lake Logan is absolutely spectacular, too. The lake encompasses 333 acres at normal pool with a shoreline length of 9.5 miles and a maximum depth of 18 feet.
Seneca Lake is Ohio's third-largest inland water way that offers a variety of fishing, boating, and watersports. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, you'll find Ohioans camping, swimming, and recreating at this lovely lake.
Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area, named for the old Vesuvius iron furnace, is the Wayne National Forest's premier developed recreation site. It's especially lovely during the height of fall foliage in Ohio!
Nearly 1,700 acres of recreational waters are found at Lake Milton State Park. Boating, swimming and fishing are popular at this day-use park that's located in the far northeast corner of the state.
When we polled our readers about the most beautiful lakes in Ohio, one lovely lake came up in the comments time and time again: Lake Erie. The smallest of the Great Lakes, it warms quickly in the summer and is perfect for a dip. No sharks, white sands, iconic lighthouses, and wonderful sunsets make Lake Erie the celebrated darling of Ohio lakes.
Port Clinton is known for world-class fishing, miles of beautiful Lake Erie shoreline, boating, beaches, island ferries, shopping, and entertainment. Prettier than a postcard, Port Clinton is a dead ringer for Maine in the Buckeye State!
For Ohio stargazers, there's no better place than West Branch Lake. Check out these dazzling nighttime skies. During the day, this 2,650-acre lake boasts crystal-clear waters that are a beautiful compliment to its white-sand shores!
What are your picks for the most beautiful lakes in Ohio? Share them with us in the comments below! And be sure to join our Ohio Nature Lovers Facebook group for a daily dose of Buckeye State inspiration.
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