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A Local’s Guide to the Best Lake Erie Beaches Near Erie, Pennsylvania
The coastline of Lake Erie offers an endless string of stunning beaches, many of which are located near the town of Erie, PA and in neighboring Ohio.
Lake Erie beaches offer wide strips of sand that are perfect for longs walks and collecting beach glass. Lake Erie beach glass comes from bits of broken glass jars and bottles and even old shipwrecks. The glass is often old and colorful. Decades of wave action give the individual pieces smooth, rounded edges and a frosted or wavy texture. Jewelry is crafted from some of the more colorful pieces that have washed ashore. Here at Tanglewood Apartments & Townhomes, Eries premier apartment community, we love to help our residents find the best beaches in and around the city. Thats why weve put together this list of our six favorites.
Its time to fill the cooler, pack the towels, and explore the best beaches that Lake Erie has to offer.
Presque Isle State Park
This is the largest state park on the Pennsylvania shore of Lake Erie. Presque Isle State Park is a day-use park that offers seven miles of beach, as well as opportunities for swimming, boating, hiking, bicycling, and inline skating. Visitors will find dunes and hiking trails that lead through the park's diverse ecological system. In addition, the beach offers guarded swimming areas. This park offers several different beach coves, with Kohler Beach and Beach 11, the most popular. Water quality is monitored throughout the year by the Erie County Department of Health.Different parts of the park's ecological areas are home to migrating birds along the Atlantic Flyway. Over 339 species of migrating birds have been studied in the park. They nest in the forest, thickets, and marsh ponds that are part of the park. This park is a National Natural Landmark due to its ecological zones, which include the shoreline and forest areas. You can visit the Tom Ridge Environmental Center at the park to learn more about the 3,200 acres of the Presque Isle peninsula.
This park is located only four miles west of downtown Erie on the shore of a peninsula that extends into a wide, deep harbor. It is part of Presque Isle Bay, home to Erie, a major Pennsylvania shipping port on the lake. The park is open year-round for visitors.
The Presque Isle water taxi offers trips across the bay during the summer. The Presque Isle Express provides free transportation from various locations in Erie to the park.
Erie Bluffs State Park
The rugged 587-acre Erie Bluffs State Park is located along the shoreline of the lake in western Erie County, only 12 miles from the city. It is part of the Springfield and Girard Townships. It has only one mile of beach with 90-foot bluffs overlooking the lake. Elk Creek is the only developed part of the park. Fishing for steelhead is available year-round in Elk Creek and at the mouth of the creek where it enters the bay. Swimming is not available in the park.The park includes forested wetlands, the sand barren ecosystem, and an unusual black oak savannah. Erie Bluffs State Park is also a refuge and nesting area for birds along the Atlantic Flyway. The park features trails along the bluffs. Hikers are advised to check the weather information before visiting the park.
Avonia Beach Park
You can watch steelhead trout run upstream in season at Avonia Beach Park in Fairfield Township. This 3.6-acre park along the Lake Erie shoreline is best known for fishing. It is also a great place to picnic, relax, and enjoy sunsets. A house on the property is used for educational purposes as well as for various events, including weddings, family and class reunions, showers, and graduation parties. The park is open year-round.Freeport Beach
This beach is considered one of Lake Erie's best-kept secrets. It is located on Route 5, 16 miles up the shore from Erie in the borough of Northeast, Pa. Freeport Beach is a quiet beach, and swimming is only available during the summer when lifeguards are on duty. The beach is open to the public with a swing set in a playground area for children and a volleyball net for everyone. This is the place to search for beach glass, relax, and enjoy the sunset.
Shades Beach Park
This is another small beach park located in Harborcreek Township in Erie County. Shades Beach Park is on the shore of Lake Erie with a beach area, boat launch, woodlands, horseshoe courts, a play area, and picnic facilities. The two picnic pavilions have complete kitchens and restrooms. The boat launch area includes a protected jetty.Conneaut Township Beach Park
Head southwest across the border to Conneaut Township in Ohio to enjoy the 60-acre beach park on the shore of Lake Erie. Conneaut Township Beach Park features a picturesque lighthouse and a series of boardwalks that connect pavilions to the parking area and the quarter mile long beach.