Great Lake, Great Beaches: Huntington Reservation

With gas prices hovering near $4 per gallon, the traditional summer road trip is in danger. Luckily, Northern Ohio is a perfect place to spend a day on the beach without breaking the bank. Over 312 miles of lake shore and a wide variety of beaches can help provide a much-needed break from the daily grind.

We'll be featuring a different local beaches throughout the summer to help you find a new favorite. This week, we're taking a look at Huntington Beach.

Quiet most of the year, but a local summer hot spot, Huntington Beach is the place to be when the weather gets warm if you live on Cleveland's west side.

The beach is not a city-owned property; it is part of the Cleveland Metropark Huntington Reservation. The 102-acre park includes a popular pavilion, large beach, ice cream stand and plenty of grills. Getting to the beach directly requires a walk down a long flight of stairs. In 2006, an ADA compliant parking lot and beach-access walkway was completed.

If you’re tired of the sun, the park has plenty of tree-covered areas to stroll. The historic water tower houses a new Mitchell's Ice Cream shop. The reservation is also home to the Lake Erie Nature and Science Center, BayArts and the Huntington Playhouse. The majority of the park is on the south side of Lake Road.

If you plan on attending on a nice day or holiday, you might have to park across the street in the open lot. A stop light helps get visitors safely across Lake Road. The pavilion is popular and free, but reservations are not accepted. Huntington Beach is also a popular destination for day parkers and family reunions. Bathrooms are available in the park. Huntington is also a popular destination for bikers and can be reached via Lake Road.

Expect to see jet skis and watercraft pulling up to the beach in the summer.

Beach: Huntington State Park

City: Bay Village

County: Cuyahoga

Time/Miles/Directions from Westlake City Hall: 7 mins / 2.8 miles; Just hop on Dover Center Road and drive north to Lake Road. From there, go east until you hit the beach.

Park size: 102 acres

Lifeguards: Yes

Swimming permitted: Yes

Unique features: This is without a doubt Bay Village’s most popular spot in the summer. The beach has five groins used for year-round fishing. Mounted police are often on site during busy summer days to maintain control if the park gets very busy.   

Amenities: Pavilion, picnic tables and walking path. Dogs are not allowed.

Nearby eats: The park has a Mitchell's Ice Cream stand that serves pizzas and other snacks. just opened a shop in May as well. Martin's Bay Deli, China House, Geppetto's Pizza & Ribs, Arrabiata's Italian Restaurant, Subway are also close by.

Bike Friendly: This park is on Lake Road. The Porter Creek Trail connects to Bay Village’s bike trail.

Activities: Swimming, reading, sunbathing, boating, fishing, walking, watching the sunset, picnics and reunions

Parking: There is ample parking including a good size lot north of Lake Road. On hot days, expect to park in the large lot on the south side of Lake Road or to the east at Cahoon Memorial Park.