Updated: March 28, 2020
We decided to end our first family camping trip early but not before our pit stop to one of Lake Erie’s beaches, Huntington Beach. Not to be confused with the salt waters of Huntington Beach in California, Lake Erie is all freshwater. We’re used to the clean freshwater beaches on Lake Michigan, so we let our kids enjoy some fun in the sun.
Bring Your Own Food
We brought out our camping stoves and cooked the rest of our Korean BBQ meat and rice with panchan (Korean side dishes). In no time, most of our camping food was finally gone. NOTE: Huntington Beach is alcohol-free. I noticed a few guests bringing in glass bottles in a brown bag, and the local law enforcement put an end to that BBQ party.
We headed down the long wooden stairway ready to partake of some cooler air that we couldn’t find in the still humid heat in Cuyahoga Valley.
Huntington Beach on Lake Erie – Environment
Don’t be fooled by the fresh lake waters or the happy Ohioans enjoying some beach weather fun. Huntington Beach is one of the few beaches in Ohio that is considered “clean” enough to wade.
With all these pebbles, it was not pleasant to walk until you’re about three feet deep in the water. It reminded me of Aphrodite’s Rock in Cyprus, although there were no mythical legends of swimming around a massive rock feature in the Mediterranean to give you back your youth.
No matter. Piano Man and Linus ran back and forth to make sandcastles.
Difference Between Lake Erie and Lake Michigan
There are some stark differences between Lake Erie and Lake Michigan’s beaches. Lake Erie’s water supply is not always conducive to swimming or wading because of elevated bacteria levels. In fact, a recent article on Cleveland.com sent an advisory warning to stay out of Huntington, Edgewater, and Villa Angela’s beaches along Lake Erie. It made sense because my white rash guard and Piano Man’s white swim trunks turned to a dingy brown when we left the lake. It took several washes to get rid of those stains.
Here’s a glimpse of Lake Michigan’s waters in Pentwater, Michigan:
I think that was our first and last visit to Huntington Beach in Ohio. Cleveland may have so much going on for the city and its surroundings, but beach-going is not one of them.
For More Information
Website: Huntington Reservation
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